Contemporary light filled home office study space with white cabinetry, feature timber shelves, tan leather feature office chair, drapes
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary home office in Melbourne with white walls and light hardwood floors.

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.

The Estate by Build Prestige Homes

Build Prestige Homes Pty Ltd

Photo of a mid-sized traditional home office in Brisbane with white walls, light hardwood floors and a freestanding desk.

Valia

Daniela Fulford Photography

Photo of a contemporary home office in Melbourne with white walls, light hardwood floors, a built-in desk and beige floor.

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.

New Farm Light House

Shane Marsh Architects

Photo of a large contemporary study room in Brisbane with white walls, light hardwood floors, a built-in desk, brown floor, vaulted and decorative wall panelling.

Hindley & Co - Study and reading nook

Hindley & Co Architecture & Interior Design

A study nook and a reading nook make the most f a black wall in the compact living area
Mid-sized contemporary study room in Melbourne with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a built-in desk, beige floor and wood.

Modern European Residence

Deep River Partners

The need for a productive and comfortable space was the motive for the study design. A culmination of ideas supports daily routines from the computer desk for correspondence, the worktable to review documents, or the sofa to read reports. The wood mantel creates the base for the art niche, which provides a space for one homeowner’s taste in modern art to be expressed. Horizontal wood elements are stained for layered warmth from the floor, wood tops, mantel, and ceiling beams. The walls are covered in a natural paper weave with a green tone that is pulled to the built-ins flanking the marble fireplace for a happier work environment. Connections to the outside are a welcome relief to enjoy views to the front, or pass through the doors to the private outdoor patio at the back of the home. The ceiling light fixture has linen panels as a tie to personal ship artwork displayed in the office.

Marsh View Residence

ML Design, Allied ASID

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional home office in Charleston with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a built-in desk and brown floor.

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.

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.

North Andover Renovation

Apple Wood Construction, Inc.

Kath & Keith Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional study room in Boston with dark hardwood floors, a built-in desk, grey walls and no fireplace.

Baylies Way

Martha's Vineyard Interior Design

Interior Design: Liz Stiving-Nichols Photography: Michael J. Lee
This is an example of a beach style home office in Boston with white walls, light hardwood floors, a freestanding desk, beige floor, exposed beam, timber and vaulted.

Whole House - Forest Hills

User

The view from the top of the stairs
Design ideas for a large transitional home studio in Dallas with white walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk and beige floor.

Maggs Art Studio

Agate Architecture, LLC

Small modern home studio in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Poco Calle

K and Q Interiors

Home office for two people with quartz countertops, black cabinets, custom cabinetry, gold hardware, gold lighting, big windows with black mullions, and custom stool in striped fabric with x base on natural oak floors

Newport Beach Residence | Whole House Remodel

The Bespoke Interior, Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary home office in Orange County with white walls, light hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a freestanding desk and beige floor.

South Tampa New Build

Hendrickson Interiors

This is an example of a transitional home office in Tampa with white walls, light hardwood floors, a built-in desk and brown floor.

Arcadia Lights

AFT Construction

Photo of a large transitional home office in Phoenix with a library, black walls, light hardwood floors, a built-in desk, beige floor and panelled walls.

Home Office Design Ideas with Light Hardwood Floors and Dark Hardwood Floors

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.