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.

Emory

Walker Architecture

Inspiration for a small modern study room in New York with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a built-in desk and brown floor.

High-end design Highbury and Islington

Juliet Murphy Photography

Juliet Murphy
Design ideas for a small eclectic home office in London with black walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, brown floor and a library.

Residence with a Garden Wall

Kate Cleveland Architect

Large traditional study room in Philadelphia with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a freestanding desk, grey floor, a standard fireplace and a metal fireplace surround.

Crescent Hill- Office Fireplace

LDa Architecture & Interiors

TEAM Architect: LDa Architecture & Interiors Interior Design: Nina Farmer Interiors Builder: Wellen Construction Landscape Architect: Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design Photographer: Eric Piasecki Photography

Greenwich, CT

Karen Houghton Interiors

Marco Ricca Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional study room in New York with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Wisconsin Lake House

i4design, LLC

Interior Design by Beth Wangman, i4design
Design ideas for a country study room in Chicago with dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

Transitional Home Redesign

Distinctive Interiors

we created this cozy reading library just off the the kitchen by using built in shelving around the gas fireplace, and two comfy swivel chairs upholstered in a large scale hounds tooth fabric.

My House

Design Soda

Photo of a mid-sized transitional study room in London with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Modern Farmhouse Custom Home | Williams Creek

Steven Sears Building Company

The Home Aesthetic
Design ideas for a country study room in Indianapolis with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

Barton Creek French Country Estate

Wilde Custom Homes

Photo of a traditional study room in Austin with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Irvine Terrace

Anne Michaelsen Design

Mid-sized contemporary home office in Orange County with a library, white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Cow Hollow House

Mark English Architects, AIA

Joe Fletcher
Contemporary home office in San Francisco with a library, white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and black floor.

Dark Green and Orange - Boiserie moderne e pareti attrezzate

Silvio Maglione architetti

Design ideas for a large contemporary home office in Milan with a library, green walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Tunbridge Wells Attic Conversion

Nicky Percival Limited

Working from home desk and chair space in large dormer window with view to the garden. Crewel work blinds, dark oak floor and exposed brick work with cast iron fireplace.

Our Work

Cathy Lynch Interior Design

Photo of a small country study room in Other with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a wood stove, a metal fireplace surround, a built-in desk and brown floor.

Apartamento en Girona

Carlota Ararà

Inspiration for a large modern home office in Other with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a metal fireplace surround and brown floor.

Westlake Normandy

Firmitas Design, LLC

Inspiration for a large transitional home office in Dallas with a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, brown floor, beige walls, dark hardwood floors and a freestanding desk.

Residence with a Garden Wall

Kate Cleveland Architect

This is an example of a large traditional study room in Philadelphia with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and grey floor.

Contemporary Traditional New Construction

Rockwell Custom

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional study room in Philadelphia with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

Home Office Design Ideas with Dark Hardwood 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.