Renovation of an old barn into a personal office space. This project, located on a 37-acre family farm in Pennsylvania, arose from the need for a personal workspace away from the hustle and bustle of the main house. An old barn used for gardening storage provided the ideal opportunity to convert it into a personal workspace. The small 1250 s.f. building consists of a main work and meeting area as well as the addition of a kitchen and a bathroom with sauna. The architects decided to preserve and restore the original stone construction and highlight it both inside and out in order to gain approval from the local authorities under a strict code for the reuse of historic structures. The poor state of preservation of the original timber structure presented the design team with the opportunity to reconstruct the roof using three large timber frames, produced by craftsmen from the Amish community. Following local craft techniques, the truss joints were achieved using wood dowels without adhesives and the stone walls were laid without the use of apparent mortar. The new roof, covered with cedar shingles, projects beyond the original footprint of the building to create two porches. One frames the main entrance and the other protects a generous outdoor living space on the south side. New wood trusses are left exposed and emphasized with indirect lighting design. The walls of the short facades were opened up to create large windows and bring the expansive views of the forest and neighboring creek into the space. The palette of interior finishes is simple and forceful, limited to the use of wood, stone and glass. The furniture design, including the suspended fireplace, integrates with the architecture and complements it through the judicious use of natural fibers and textiles. The result is a contemporary and timeless architectural work that will coexist harmoniously with the traditional buildings in its surroundings, protected in perpetuity for their historical heritage value.

OXFORD

Interior Particulier

Mid-sized industrial study room in Los Angeles with brown walls, concrete floors, grey floor, wood walls and a freestanding desk.

Ridgefield Barn

Mark P Finlay Interiors

This home library houses the client's extensive book collection and offers a space to work from home and conduct meetings. Photography by Michael Partenio

Rustic Home Office

Design ideas for a mid-sized country study room in Sacramento with a freestanding desk, brown walls and no fireplace.

Newport Coast House

DHD Architecture and Interior Design

"Dramatically positioned along Pelican Crest's prized front row, this Newport Coast House presents a refreshing modern aesthetic rarely available in the community. A comprehensive $6M renovation completed in December 2017 appointed the home with an assortment of sophisticated design elements, including white oak & travertine flooring, light fixtures & chandeliers by Apparatus & Ladies & Gentlemen, & SubZero appliances throughout. The home's unique orientation offers the region's best view perspective, encompassing the ocean, Catalina Island, Harbor, city lights, Palos Verdes, Pelican Hill Golf Course, & crashing waves. The eminently liveable floorplan spans 3 levels and is host to 5 bedroom suites, open social spaces, home office (possible 6th bedroom) with views & balcony, temperature-controlled wine and cigar room, home spa with heated floors, a steam room, and quick-fill tub, home gym, & chic master suite with frameless, stand-alone shower, his & hers closets, & sprawling ocean views. The rear yard is an entertainer's paradise with infinity-edge pool & spa, fireplace, built-in BBQ, putting green, lawn, and covered outdoor dining area. An 8-car subterranean garage & fully integrated Savant system complete this one of-a-kind residence. Residents of Pelican Crest enjoy 24/7 guard-gated patrolled security, swim, tennis & playground amenities of the Newport Coast Community Center & close proximity to the pristine beaches, world-class shopping & dining, & John Wayne Airport." via Cain Group / Pacific Sotheby's International Realty Photo: Sam Frost

Livingspaces

Metarch Photography

Nathan Spotts
Photo of a traditional home office in Charlotte with a library, brown walls, a standard fireplace and a freestanding desk.

Dark and glamorous home office

Hide & Seek

Photo: Carole Poirot
Design ideas for a small eclectic study room in London with brown walls, carpet and a freestanding desk.

Traditional

Bizdesigns

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional home office in New York with a library, brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Map Room Library

Santa Barbara Design & Build

Mid-sized traditional study room in Santa Barbara with brown walls, concrete floors and a built-in desk.

Our work

C.A. Nelson Architecture Group, LLC

Photo of a large traditional study room in Dallas with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a freestanding desk and a wood fireplace surround.

Conyers Colonial

Significant Homes LLC

This is an example of a large traditional study room in New York with carpet, a corner fireplace, a freestanding desk, brown walls, a metal fireplace surround and beige floor.

High-End Home Office

MasterWorks Custom Cabinets, LLC

Study/Library in beautiful Sepele Mahogany, raised panel doors, true raised panel wall treatment, coffered ceiling.
Photo of a mid-sized traditional home office in Raleigh with medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk, a library and brown walls.

Calistoga Barn

Paul Kelley Architecture

Design ideas for a mid-sized country study room in San Francisco with brown walls, concrete floors, no fireplace and a built-in desk.

VPC - Custom Home in Blowing Rock

VPC Builders, LLC

Photography by Todd Bush
Inspiration for a large country study room in Charlotte with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and a freestanding desk.

Total Home

Braaten Cabinets

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional craft room in Other with dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown walls and a built-in desk.

Promontory 60 Residence

Douglas Knight Construction

Douglas Knight Construction and Springgate Photography
This is an example of an expansive transitional craft room in Salt Lake City with brown walls, ceramic floors and a built-in desk.

Office

Euro Canadian Construction Corp.

Designer: David Phoenix Interior Design
Inspiration for a small contemporary study room in Vancouver with brown walls, carpet, no fireplace and a built-in desk.

Clarendon Residence

Elms Interior Design

Photography by Michael J. Lee
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary study room in Boston with a built-in desk, medium hardwood floors and brown walls.

Longwoods Transitional

Frankel Design Build

This is an example of an expansive transitional study room in Houston with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a freestanding desk, brown floor and panelled walls.

Copper Bay

Glas Associates

A multifunctional space serves as a den and home office with library shelving and dark wood throughout Photo by Ashley Avila Photography
Large traditional home office in Grand Rapids with a library, brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, brown floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Home Office Design Ideas with 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.