Mid-sized asian study room with white walls, concrete floors, no fireplace and a freestanding desk.

Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic study room in Austin with white walls, concrete floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk and grey floor.

Paintzen

Paintzen, Inc.

Everyone needs a little space of their own. Whether it’s a cozy reading nook for a busy mom to curl up in at the end of a long day, a quiet corner of a living room for an artist to get inspired, or a mancave where die-hard sports fans can watch the game without distraction. Even Emmy-award winning “This Is Us” actor Sterling K. Brown was feeling like he needed a place where he could go to be productive (as well as get some peace and quiet). Sterling’s Los Angeles house is home to him, his wife, and two of their two sons – so understandably, it can feel a little crazy. Sterling reached out to interior designer Kyle Schuneman of Apt2B to help convert his garage into a man-cave / office into a space where he could conduct some of his day-to-day tasks, run his lines, or just relax after a long day. As Schuneman began to visualize Sterling’s “creative workspace”, he and the Apt2B team reached out Paintzen to make the process a little more colorful. The room was full of natural light, which meant we could go bolder with color. Schuneman selected a navy blue – one of the season’s most popular shades (especially for mancaves!) in a flat finish for the walls. The color was perfect for the space; it paired well with the concrete flooring, which was covered with a blue-and-white patterned area rug, and had plenty of personality. (Not to mention it makes a lovely backdrop for an Emmy, don’t you think?) Schuneman’s furniture selection was done with the paint color in mind. He chose a bright, bold sofa in a mustard color, and used lots of wood and metal accents throughout to elevate the space and help it feel more modern and sophisticated. A work table was added – where we imagine Sterling will spend time reading scripts and getting work done – and there is plenty of space on the walls and in glass-faced cabinets, of course, to display future Emmy’s in the years to come. However, the large mounted TV and ample seating in the room means this space can just as well be used hosting get-togethers with friends. We think you’ll agree that the final product was stunning. The rich navy walls paired with Schuneman’s decor selections resulted in a space that is smart, stylish, and masculine. Apt2B turned a standard garage into a sleek home office and Mancave for Sterling K. Brown, and our team at Paintzen was thrilled to be a part of the process.

Highland's Eichler Home Tour - Home 2

DRACO

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury home studio in San Francisco with blue walls, concrete floors, no fireplace, a built-in desk and grey floor.

Silverlake Boho Loft

Breeze Giannasio Interiors

Konstrukt Photo
Small eclectic study room in Los Angeles with white walls, concrete floors, no fireplace and a freestanding desk.

Modern by Nature

Gulch Design Group

Mid-sized contemporary home office in Salt Lake City with beige walls, concrete floors, no fireplace, a built-in desk and grey floor.

Show Garage - Witte Residence

Couto Homes

Design ideas for a large industrial study room in Dallas with grey walls, concrete floors, no fireplace and a freestanding desk.

Wohnprojekt | Hamburg

gärtner Büro und Wohnen GmbH

Design ideas for a large modern study room in Hamburg with white walls, concrete floors, a built-in desk and no fireplace.

Un bureau comme un art de vivre

AM.PM.

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern study room in Lille with white walls, concrete floors, no fireplace and a freestanding desk.

Potter's Studio

Thuja Architecture Studio

Design ideas for a contemporary home studio in Vancouver with white walls, concrete floors, no fireplace and a freestanding desk.

North Refugio

Salt Architecture

Inspiration for a transitional home office in San Luis Obispo with white walls, concrete floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk, grey floor, exposed beam, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

Industrial Farm House

Christopher Simmonds Architect

The client’s brief was to create a space reminiscent of their beloved downtown Chicago industrial loft, in a rural farm setting, while incorporating their unique collection of vintage and architectural salvage. The result is a custom designed space that blends life on the farm with an industrial sensibility. The new house is located on approximately the same footprint as the original farm house on the property. Barely visible from the road due to the protection of conifer trees and a long driveway, the house sits on the edge of a field with views of the neighbouring 60 acre farm and creek that runs along the length of the property. The main level open living space is conceived as a transparent social hub for viewing the landscape. Large sliding glass doors create strong visual connections with an adjacent barn on one end and a mature black walnut tree on the other. The house is situated to optimize views, while at the same time protecting occupants from blazing summer sun and stiff winter winds. The wall to wall sliding doors on the south side of the main living space provide expansive views to the creek, and allow for breezes to flow throughout. The wrap around aluminum louvered sun shade tempers the sun. The subdued exterior material palette is defined by horizontal wood siding, standing seam metal roofing and large format polished concrete blocks. The interiors were driven by the owners’ desire to have a home that would properly feature their unique vintage collection, and yet have a modern open layout. Polished concrete floors and steel beams on the main level set the industrial tone and are paired with a stainless steel island counter top, backsplash and industrial range hood in the kitchen. An old drinking fountain is built-in to the mudroom millwork, carefully restored bi-parting doors frame the library entrance, and a vibrant antique stained glass panel is set into the foyer wall allowing diffused coloured light to spill into the hallway. Upstairs, refurbished claw foot tubs are situated to view the landscape. The double height library with mezzanine serves as a prominent feature and quiet retreat for the residents. The white oak millwork exquisitely displays the homeowners’ vast collection of books and manuscripts. The material palette is complemented by steel counter tops, stainless steel ladder hardware and matte black metal mezzanine guards. The stairs carry the same language, with white oak open risers and stainless steel woven wire mesh panels set into a matte black steel frame. The overall effect is a truly sublime blend of an industrial modern aesthetic punctuated by personal elements of the owners’ storied life. Photography: James Brittain

Arbeitszimmer

ALEXANDRA KIENDL · ARCHITEKTUR

Wo im Bestand noch eine einläufige Treppe den Raum durchtrennt und viel Verkehrsfläche benötigt hat, ist nun ein Arbeitsraum entstanden.
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern study room in Munich with white walls, concrete floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk and grey floor.

Basement Remodel

Meadowlark Design+Build

Photography: Mars Photo and Design. Every square inch of this small basement remodel is utilized. This recessed space provides the perfect area for a small desk and shelving so the kids don't have to fight over desk space. Basement remodel was completed by Meadowlark Design + Build in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Appartement Opéra

Fellix & Janssen

Photo of a contemporary study room in Paris with white walls, concrete floors, no fireplace and a built-in desk.

Fieldstone House

Bruns Architecture

Tricia Shay Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary study room in Milwaukee with white walls, concrete floors, no fireplace and a built-in desk.

Calistoga Barn

Paul Kelley Architecture

This is an example of a mid-sized country home office in San Francisco with brown walls, concrete floors, a built-in desk, no fireplace, a library and grey floor.

Delightful Duplex

Cathers Home Furniture + Interior Design

Mid-sized contemporary study room in Denver with white walls, concrete floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk and grey floor.

Inspiring Industrial Artist Studio

RL Design Studio

Teness Herman Photography
Inspiration for an expansive industrial home studio in Portland with white walls, concrete floors, no fireplace and a freestanding desk.

Art Studio makeover

Amy J. Greving - Artist

Amy J Greving
Small industrial home studio in Grand Rapids with white walls, no fireplace, a freestanding desk and concrete floors.

Home Office Design Ideas with Concrete Floors and No Fireplace

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.