Photo Credit: Warren Patterson
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary home studio in Boston with white walls, a wood stove, a metal fireplace surround, a freestanding desk, grey floor and concrete floors.

Home Office/Library, Bethesda, MD

Nouvel Kitchen and Bath

Black and white home office/library with a feminine touch. Super elegant, this office had a challenging long and skinny layout. Our designer turned this space into a very comfortable and cozy room by creating niches at the bottom of the build-in bookcases, thus gaining the necessary width. Tall white with pale grey veining cabinets were framed with black lacquer trim. Lighted display case added life into an otherwise dark corner of this room.

ATTICO - DUEPIÙUNO

Tommaso Giunchi Architetti

l'armadio a parete è disegnato su misura e contiene un angolo studio/lavoro con piano a ribalta che chiudendosi nasconde tutto. Sedia Wishbone di Carl Hansen Camino a gas sullo sfondo rivestito in lamiera nera.

Bow Crescent

Kalimar Custom Homes Ltd

Olivier Griffin Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary home office in Calgary with concrete floors, a library, white walls, a wood stove, a metal fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and beige floor.

Woodshed

Birdseye Design

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary home office in Burlington with grey walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and grey floor.

North Bend Modern

Kirsten Robertson 425

The epitome of NW Modern design tucked away on a private 4+ acre lot in the gated Uplands Reserve. Designed by Prentiss Architects to make a statement on the landscape yet integrate seamlessly into the natural surroundings. Floor to ceiling windows take in the views of Mt. Si and Rattlesnake Ridge. Indoor and outdoor fireplaces, a deck with hot tub and soothing koi pond beckon you outdoors. Let this intimate home with additional detached guest suite be your retreat from urban chaos. FJU Photo

King Street

Fredrick Dawson Design Consulting

Photo of a small eclectic home studio in Toronto with white walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and a built-in desk.

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Tommaso Giunchi Architetti

ATTICO - DUEPIÙUNO

Tommaso Giunchi Architetti

Home Office Design Ideas with Concrete Floors and a Metal Fireplace Surround

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.