This is an example of a mid-sized traditional home office in New Orleans with a library, brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

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.

Whole Home Remodel

MB Interiors

Photo of a large eclectic study room in New York with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

GG House

ReDesigning Life

Photo of an expansive traditional home office in Other with a library, brown walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and grey floor.

Penthouse with a View

Wiedemann Architects LLC

A modern oak-paneled library accommodates their extensive book collection. Anice Hoachlander, Hoachlander Davis Photography, LLC
Large contemporary study room in DC Metro with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a freestanding desk, brown walls, a metal fireplace surround and brown floor.

Custom Fireplace Mantels

WL Kitchen & Home

We offer reclaimed wood mantels in a variety of styles, in customizable sizes. From rustic to refined, our reclaimed antique wood mantels add a warm touch to the heart of every room.

Barn Office

PhiBa Architecture

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.

Historic New York City Townhouse Library – Major Renovation

Brian O'Keefe Architect, P.C.

The mahogany wood paneling in the Formal Library has been French polished by hand to create a visibly stunning finish that is also wonderful to touch. Historic New York City Townhouse | Renovation by Brian O'Keefe Architect, PC, with Interior Design by Richard Keith Langham

Stono Riverfront

Island Architects

Dark Wood Panelled Study with Arched Windows
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional study room in Charleston with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a freestanding desk.

Washington D.C. - Renovation & Decor

Thomas Burger Design, Inc.

Inspiration for a large study room in DC Metro with brown walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and red floor.

Residence at Creighton Farms

Della Monica Studios, Architecture & Interiors

Library with built-ins and paneled walls
Large traditional home office in DC Metro with a library, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown walls and brown floor.

MAJESTIC POINT

McIntyre Bills Corporation

This is an example of a traditional home office in Calgary with brown walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Crescent H

EK Reedy Interiors, Inc.

Custom Home in Jackson Hole, WY Paul Warchol Photography
Design ideas for an expansive contemporary home office in Other with dark hardwood floors, a built-in desk, black floor, a library, brown walls, a ribbon fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Westlake Project

Associated Designs

A custom designed walnut library with coffered ceiling done in a traditional style. The room is softened by the pattern of the wool carpet and complemented by the wing chairs flanking the fireplace.

Country Villa

Doyle Coffin Architecture LLC

Doyle Coffin Architecture + Dan Lenore, Photographer
This is an example of a large traditional study room in New York with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

Wedderburn Cottage

User

Will Scott Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury home office in London with brown walls, concrete floors and a ribbon fireplace.

Elegant Traditional Brownstone

Apex Wood Floors

Large traditional study room in Chicago with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Cima del Mundo

Campbell Construction Inc.

Design ideas for a large traditional study room in Santa Barbara with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

Pacific Heights Residence - Study

Gast Architects

Photography: Lisa Sze
Photo of a traditional home office in San Francisco with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a freestanding desk.

Greenwich, CT III

Rayon Richards Photography

Photo of a traditional home office in New York with a library, brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

All Fireplaces 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.