In another part of the house, a seldom used study was given a new lease of life with graphic wallpaper and a gold frame around a favourite print. Smart dark green painted cabinetry with polished desktop contrast nicely with textured wool carpet on the floor. Now given the No Chintz treatment, this is now a well used and enjoyed work space.

Collis, Brighton East

The Kitchen Design Centre

Mid-sized contemporary home office in Melbourne with white walls, carpet and a built-in desk.

Brunswick Californian Bungalow

Jacqui Koska

This is an example of a contemporary home office in Other with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a built-in desk and brown floor.

Transitional Home Office

Inspiration for a transitional home office in Sydney with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a built-in desk and brown floor.

Custom design and build

Horizon Homes

First impression count as you enter this custom-built Horizon Homes property at Kellyville. The home opens into a stylish entryway, with soaring double height ceilings. It’s often said that the kitchen is the heart of the home. And that’s literally true with this home. With the kitchen in the centre of the ground floor, this home provides ample formal and informal living spaces on the ground floor. At the rear of the house, a rumpus room, living room and dining room overlooking a large alfresco kitchen and dining area make this house the perfect entertainer. It’s functional, too, with a butler’s pantry, and laundry (with outdoor access) leading off the kitchen. There’s also a mudroom – with bespoke joinery – next to the garage. Upstairs is a mezzanine office area and four bedrooms, including a luxurious main suite with dressing room, ensuite and private balcony. Outdoor areas were important to the owners of this knockdown rebuild. While the house is large at almost 454m2, it fills only half the block. That means there’s a generous backyard. A central courtyard provides further outdoor space. Of course, this courtyard – as well as being a gorgeous focal point – has the added advantage of bringing light into the centre of the house.

Forest House.

Bayside Architecture

Photo of an expansive midcentury home studio in Brisbane with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a freestanding desk, brown floor, vaulted and wood walls.

Powderly

Bryant Alsop Architects

Rhiannon Slatter
Design ideas for a contemporary home office in Melbourne with white walls, carpet, a built-in desk and grey floor.

Seaport High Rise

DANE AUSTIN INTERIOR DESIGN Boston & Cambridge

This chic couple from Manhattan requested for a fashion-forward focus for their new Boston condominium. Textiles by Christian Lacroix, Faberge eggs, and locally designed stilettos once owned by Lady Gaga are just a few of the inspirations they offered. Project designed by Boston interior design studio Dane Austin Design. They serve Boston, Cambridge, Hingham, Cohasset, Newton, Weston, Lexington, Concord, Dover, Andover, Gloucester, as well as surrounding areas. For more about Dane Austin Design, click here: https://daneaustindesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://daneaustindesign.com/seaport-high-rise

The House In Arnold

Katie Carlin Interiors

Inspiration for a traditional home office in Baltimore with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a built-in desk, brown floor and wallpaper.

Lake Josephine Home

Muska Lighting Center

Transitional home office in Minneapolis with beige walls, carpet, a freestanding desk and beige floor.

Modern Farmhouse

Karen Kempf Interiors

A farmhouse style was achieved in this new construction home by keeping the details clean and simple. Shaker style cabinets and square stair parts moldings set the backdrop for incorporating our clients’ love of Asian antiques. We had fun re-purposing the different pieces she already had: two were made into bathroom vanities; and the turquoise console became the star of the house, welcoming visitors as they walk through the front door.

Board and Batten

Timber Trails Development Company

Design ideas for a transitional home office in Chicago with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a freestanding desk, brown floor and decorative wall panelling.

Las Campanas Remodel

Annie O'Carroll Interior Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional study room in Albuquerque with white walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and a built-in desk.

Palma Plaza

Hugh Jefferson Randolph Architects

Small contemporary home office in Austin with white walls, dark hardwood floors and a built-in desk.

Haute Home Office

Laurie DiGiacomo Interiors

A luxe home office that is beautiful enough to be the first room you see when walking in this home, but functional enough to be a true working office.

Now and Zen - Home Office

Drewett Works

Designed for two, the home office with its partner desk and expansive oak shelving unit earned Drewett Works a Gold Nugget Award for Best Home Work Space in 2021. Flooring is European oak. Project Details // Now and Zen Renovation, Paradise Valley, Arizona Architecture: Drewett Works Builder: Brimley Development Interior Designer: Ownby Design Photographer: Dino Tonn Millwork: Rysso Peters Limestone (Demitasse) walls: Solstice Stone Windows (Arcadia): Elevation Window & Door https://www.drewettworks.com/now-and-zen/

Urban-Modern Centerville Farmhouse

Everything Home

Our Indiana design studio gave this Centerville Farmhouse an urban-modern design language with a clean, streamlined look that exudes timeless, casual sophistication with industrial elements and a monochromatic palette. Photographer: Sarah Shields http://www.sarahshieldsphotography.com/ Project completed by Wendy Langston's Everything Home interior design firm, which serves Carmel, Zionsville, Fishers, Westfield, Noblesville, and Indianapolis. For more about Everything Home, click here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/portfolio/urban-modern-farmhouse/

Comfortable and Collected

Ann Lowengart Interiors

The family living in this shingled roofed home on the Peninsula loves color and pattern. At the heart of the two-story house, we created a library with high gloss lapis blue walls. The tête-à-tête provides an inviting place for the couple to read while their children play games at the antique card table. As a counterpoint, the open planned family, dining room, and kitchen have white walls. We selected a deep aubergine for the kitchen cabinetry. In the tranquil master suite, we layered celadon and sky blue while the daughters' room features pink, purple, and citrine.

Cascadia Model

Ultimate Builder Services

This is an example of a mid-sized industrial home office in Richmond with dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk, brown floor and grey walls.

Brattle Street Victorian

Elms Interior Design

Photography by Michael J. Lee
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional home office in Boston with white walls, a built-in desk, a library and dark hardwood floors.

Home Office Design Ideas with Dark Hardwood Floors and Carpet

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.