Design ideas for a contemporary home office in Sydney with blue walls and a freestanding desk.

Hindley & Co Architecture & Interior Design

A study nook and a reading nook make the most f a black wall in the compact living area
Mid-sized contemporary study room in Melbourne with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a built-in desk, beige floor and wood.

Danville Project

Applegate Tran Interiors

Large transitional home office in San Francisco with a library, blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a built-in desk, no fireplace and brown floor.

FOR SALE: Tanglewood Transitional Estate

Frankel Design Build

Expansive contemporary study room in Houston with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

Rivers Edge Custom Home

With the Grain, LLC.

Photo of a country home office in Other with brown walls, light hardwood floors, a freestanding desk, beige floor and wood walls.

Aménagement d'un 110m²

POËSIS STUDIO

Le bleu stimule la créativité, ainsi nous avons voulu créer un effet boite dans le bureau avec la peinture Selvedge de @farrow&ball allié au chêne, fil conducteur de l’appartement.

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.

Bee Caves office design & custom built ins

Sicara Design

Inspiration for a modern home office in Austin with blue walls.

Multi-Use Office-Den

Interior Enhancement Group, Inc.

The combination den-office is a cozy place to take care of business, play a game of chess, read or chat. Though the overall home is transitional, this space leans more toward the traditional, anchored by the client's ornately carved desk.

Drama in Black and White

Pineapple House Interior Design

A deep blue green tone appears black and helps set a masculine tone in this home office.
Mid-sized traditional home office in Atlanta with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Quaker Hill Farmhouse - Library

JAM Architecture

Photo of a country home office in New York with medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, blue floor and blue walls.

Old Town transformation

BBA Architects

Werner Straube
Photo of a mid-sized transitional study room in Chicago with blue walls, carpet, no fireplace, a built-in desk and grey floor.

Great Northern Lodge

Centre Sky Architecture Ltd

Gibeon Photography
Home office in Other with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Polished Farmhouse

Alison Kandler Interior Design

John Ellis for Country Living
Inspiration for a small country study room in Los Angeles with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a built-in desk and brown floor.

Transitional Home Office

Transitional home office in San Francisco with a library, blue walls, medium hardwood floors and a freestanding desk.

Archie's Library

Residents Understood

Bonnie Sen
This is an example of a transitional study room in DC Metro with blue walls, dark hardwood floors and a built-in desk.

Mid-Century Mod House

Lindye Galloway Interiors

Jasmine Star
Mid-sized midcentury study room in Orange County with blue walls, light hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Craft Room with custom millwork

Espinal Architects, LLC

The craft room features custom designed mill work, including a window seat and a table with seating, storage, and dowel racks for wrapping paper and ribbon dispensing.

Miami Charm in Highland Park

Robert Elliott Custom Homes

Nathan Schroder Photography BK Design Studio Robert Elliott Custom Homes
Contemporary study room in Dallas with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

Mercier Library/Office Project

Stumpff HomeWorks, LLC

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional home office in Kansas City with a library, brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a built-in desk, brown floor and panelled walls.

Home Office Design Ideas with Blue Walls and Brown Walls

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.