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.

Chic Library

User

This chic and refined home office allows for maximum productivity. The dark walls are enhanced by the bright pops of color, crisp whites, and brass accents. The custom storage unit provides space for all of the practical office needs, including file storage, office supplies and a roll out printer. Photo Credit: Angie Seckinger

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.

Elegant White Wallbed Room

Pacific Coast Custom Design

With the wallbed closed the space for Home Office is visually increased. The Glass tops not only add to the clean look but creates a very smooth and durable writing surface. Guest room to functional office in an instant.

Glenview Home Office Renovation

Dual Concept Design

Large transitional study room in Chicago with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a freestanding desk, brown floor, vaulted and panelled walls.

Custom Contemporary 2

Rivers Edge Builders, LLC.

Transitional home office in DC Metro with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Kentfield Traditional Elegance

PatriARCH Architecture

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional home office in San Francisco with a library, grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Transitional Home Office

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional study room in Richmond with grey walls, a freestanding desk, brown floor, dark hardwood floors and decorative wall panelling.

New Rochelle Westchester Modern

D. Wang Photo

Inspiration for a transitional home office in New York with a library, grey walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and a freestanding desk.

Upscale Farmhouse

Owen Homes LLC

Photo of a large country study room in Kansas City with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

New Consturction | Summit, NJ

Rosen Kelly Conway Architecture & Design

Design ideas for a traditional home office in New York with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a built-in desk and brown floor.

Queen Anne II

Dyna Builders

Photo of a transitional home office in Seattle with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a built-in desk and brown floor.

Ohio Timber Frame Home

Riverbend Timber Framing

A large and elegant study is complemented with a full wall of custom shelving and clever storage. Photo by: JE Evans
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional home office in Columbus with a library, grey walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Palisades Residence

SUBU Design Architecture

Kathryn Millet
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary study room in Los Angeles with no fireplace, grey walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Certified Luxury Builders - 41 West - Hammock Bay Condo Remodel

Dream Coast Builders

Design ideas for a small contemporary home office in Tampa with dark hardwood floors, brown floor, grey walls, a library and no fireplace.

Indian Hill Estate

Newgard Custom Homes

This is an example of a large transitional home office in Chicago with a library, grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Eclectic Modern | NODA Townhome

House of Nomad

Design ideas for a transitional study room in Charlotte with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Rural Farmhouse

Grayson Dare Homes, Inc.

Stephen Thrift Photography
Photo of a mid-sized transitional home office in Raleigh with grey walls, brown floor, a library, dark hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Home Office/Study

Sample Properties Inc

Design ideas for a transitional study room in Tampa with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and no fireplace.

Vineyard Parade Home

Studio McGee

Inspiration for a transitional home office in Salt Lake City with dark hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and grey walls.

Home Office Design Ideas with Grey Walls 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.