Photo of a large contemporary study room in Brisbane with white walls, light hardwood floors, a built-in desk, brown floor, vaulted and decorative wall panelling.

Modern European Residence

Deep River Partners

The need for a productive and comfortable space was the motive for the study design. A culmination of ideas supports daily routines from the computer desk for correspondence, the worktable to review documents, or the sofa to read reports. The wood mantel creates the base for the art niche, which provides a space for one homeowner’s taste in modern art to be expressed. Horizontal wood elements are stained for layered warmth from the floor, wood tops, mantel, and ceiling beams. The walls are covered in a natural paper weave with a green tone that is pulled to the built-ins flanking the marble fireplace for a happier work environment. Connections to the outside are a welcome relief to enjoy views to the front, or pass through the doors to the private outdoor patio at the back of the home. The ceiling light fixture has linen panels as a tie to personal ship artwork displayed in the office.

California Scandi-Modern

Libby Raab Architecture

Home Office with built-in laminate desk, and white oak floating shelves
Design ideas for a mid-sized scandinavian study room in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors, a built-in desk and brown floor.

EGR Classic

Scott Christopher Homes

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional home office in Grand Rapids with beige walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, a built-in desk and brown floor.

An Office You Can Sleep in

MOTIF Design Solutions, LLC

MOTIF transformed a standard bedroom into this artful and inviting home office with the potential of being used a guest room when the occasion arises. Soft wall colors, a textured area rug, a built in desk are counterpoint to a cozy sofa bench -- which doubles as a twin bed or can be transformed into a queen bed by pulling the pieces apart and reconnecting them in another configuration. It is a surprising and unexpected room and is both functional and beautiful.

Basement Rear Extension and Full Refurbishment

Pencil and Brick

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional study room in London with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a built-in desk and brown floor.

Arbeitszimmer aus Beton

REFUGIUM - Interior Design

This is an example of a small contemporary study room in Dusseldorf with white walls, light hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Shuffling The Decks

Jaffe Architecture + Interiors

This is an example of a large transitional study room in Chicago with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a freestanding desk, brown floor, recessed and wallpaper.

Wattle Park

Samalex - Balance in Building

Shared study space
Mid-sized contemporary study room in Adelaide with black walls, a built-in desk, brown floor and light hardwood floors.

North Dallas Luxe Modern

Urbanology Designs

Modern Luxe Home in North Dallas with Parisian Elements. Luxury Modern Design. Heavily black and white with earthy touches. White walls, black cabinets, open shelving, resort-like master bedroom, modern yet feminine office. Light and bright. Fiddle leaf fig. Olive tree. Performance Fabric.

FW Magazine Dream Home Summer '19

J & V Painting

Design ideas for a large eclectic home office in Dallas with a library, light hardwood floors, a freestanding desk, brown floor and beige walls.

Clifton

Holloway Quinn Interior Design

This is an example of a beach style home office in Chicago with a library, grey walls, light hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Traditional Transitional

Kimberley Kay Interiors

Craft Room
Photo of a mid-sized transitional craft room in Phoenix with white walls, light hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Rustic Meets Texas Modern by John Siemering Homes Austin TX

John Siemering Homes

John Siemering Homes. Custom Home Builder in Austin, TX
Design ideas for a large transitional study room in Austin with blue walls, no fireplace, a freestanding desk, brown floor and light hardwood floors.

St Henry Family Home

Springhouse Architects, LLC

Design ideas for a large contemporary home office in Other with beige walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, a built-in desk and brown floor.

Moraga Home Office

Kimberley Harrison Interiors

In order to provide maximum space in tight quarters, a custom white lacquered cabinet was designed for functionality in mind while providing a chic feel to compliment the white lacquer desk with gold accents for this mother returning to the work place. Kimberley Harrison Interiors custom desk and cabinet. Photo by Scott Hargis.

Classic Meets Modern Farm: Home Office

Tamara Day Design

Design ideas for a transitional home office in Kansas City with multi-coloured walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk, brown floor and decorative wall panelling.

Scandi Office

Molly J Littlejohn Design

Inspiration for a small scandinavian study room in Portland with white walls, light hardwood floors, a built-in desk, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Meno Park New Construction

Fiorella Design, LLC

Design ideas for a large contemporary home office in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors and brown floor.

A Water's Edge Retreat

Amazing Spaces

Design ideas for a large beach style study room in New York with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a freestanding desk, brown floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Home Office Design Ideas with Light Hardwood Floors and Brown Floor

A home office has many uses and isn’t a mere luxury anymore. You might work from home, or bring work home, or you might just need a place to go through bills, mail or store important paperwork. Kids can use a home office to do their homework, or quietly play a game online. Browse the photos on Houzz for home office ideas and inspiration, and strike up a conversation with the architect or designer or your favourite picks. For more home office ideas, check out the Stories section.

How much office storage do I need?

To ensure your home office or study room isn’t buried under a deluge of paperwork, books and supplies, incorporate plenty of shelves, cabinets and drawers. Floating or built-in shelves with cubbies can stock books and magazine holders; or for a more traditional look, make room for a large bookcase that fits in with the decor of your home. Invest in a filing cabinet to store paperwork, and opt for a lockable filing cabinet if you have sensitive documents. A tray organiser can store incoming mail and will help prioritise bills. The type of desk you choose is also key to keeping things organised. Look for desks with deep drawers and plenty of surface space, and add tray organisers to the drawers to keep track of staples like pens, pencils, highlighters and sticky tape. If you want a streamlined look, find a way to conceal any computer cables or wires, too. One solution is to install a false back on your desk, if it doesn’t already have one.

How do I choose an office desk and chair?

If you spend long hours hunched over your work desk at home, invest in ergonomic office chairs with wheels for better back health and comfort. Consider optimal lumbar support with flexibility in adjusting handles and back angle. Most rolling office chairs come upholstered, typically in leather, but that’s no reason why you can’t have one custom-made to suit your home decor. When picking out your work desk, be sure to consider its overall function. If you work from home and hold meetings, pick an oversized, sturdy desk that is double-sided (can be accessed from both sides). You’ll want it to look professional, so opt for dark timbers over high-shine finishes. It’s also a good idea to create a separate study desk for the kids, so homework doesn’t go missing among your files. If your home office is for the whole family a two-person desk or built-in long work bench are more suitable. Where space is tight, look for a retractable computer desk, or utilise an awkward corner with a corner desk.

What home office decor will encourage productivity?

Use your walls for to-do lists: hang a pegboard and paint it in your favourite colour or be adventurous with chalkboard paint and whiteboard panels. Bulletin boards that keep the whole family in order are an extra feature that always come in handy. Use your stationery and office accessories – think pencil cups, paper trays and magazine holders – to add colour and pattern, and desk lamps, clocks, maps and calendars to personalise the space. Above all else, aim for ease of use.