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.

Los Altos Hills Shared Spaces

Form + Field

This is an example of a mid-sized modern home office in San Francisco with a library, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, coffered and blue walls.

Fossil Creek Study

Haven Design and Construction

This beautiful study was part of a whole house design and renovation by Haven Design and Construction. For this room, our objective was to create a feminine and sophisticated study for our client. She requested a design that was unique and fresh, but still warm and inviting. We wallpapered the back of the bookcases in an eye catching metallic vine pattern to add a feminine touch. Then, we selected a deep gray tone from the wallpaper and painted the bookcases and wainscoting in this striking color. We replaced the carpet with a light wood flooring that compliments the gray woodwork. Our client preferred a petite desk, just large enough for paying bills or working on her laptop, so our first furniture selection was a lovely black desk with feminine curved detailing and delicate star hardware. The room still needed a focal point, so we selected a striking lucite and gold chandelier to set the tone. The design was completed by a pair of gray velvet guest chairs. The gold twig pattern on the back of the chairs compliments the metallic wallpaper pattern perfectly. Finally the room was carefully detailed with unique accessories and custom bound books to fill the bookcases.

Home Office Under Stairs

Christine Lakas, The Designer, LLC

Inspiration for a small eclectic home office in Other with a library, brown walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, a built-in desk, brown floor and wood walls.

Comfortable and Collected

Ann Lowengart Interiors

The family living in this shingled roofed home on the Peninsula loves color and pattern. At the heart of the two-story house, we created a library with high gloss lapis blue walls. The tête-à-tête provides an inviting place for the couple to read while their children play games at the antique card table. As a counterpoint, the open planned family, dining room, and kitchen have white walls. We selected a deep aubergine for the kitchen cabinetry. In the tranquil master suite, we layered celadon and sky blue while the daughters' room features pink, purple, and citrine.

Bell Mountain

Amity Worrel & Co.

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional home office in Austin with a library, blue walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Lake Union Floating Home

Atelier Drome Architecture

This is an example of a beach style home office in Seattle with a library, white walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, a built-in desk and beige floor.

Everett Model at Killian's Pointe

Shea Homes Charlotte

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional home office in Charlotte with a library, beige walls, light hardwood floors and a built-in desk.

Contemporary Home

Patrick Widing Custom Homes

This is an example of a large contemporary home office in Detroit with a library, black walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and a freestanding desk.

Chicago Artist's Office and Studio

Space Interior Design

sleek white and natural wood double office, and artist's at home office, mini kitchen area and sleeping area make it a bedroom suite as well, tv and stereo, customs millwork by Legacy, photos by Jorge Gera, counter tops by The Tile Gallery

Midcentury Home Office

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury home office in San Francisco with a library, white walls and light hardwood floors.

Home Office

Sadie & Co

Photo of a mid-sized transitional home office in Salt Lake City with a library, white walls, light hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

West Hollywood Mid Century Condo Remodel

22 INTERIORS

Inspiration for a beach style home office in Los Angeles with a library, grey walls, light hardwood floors, a built-in desk and wallpaper.

Craftsman Delight

12/12 Architects & Planners

The Home Office serves as a multi-purpose space for a desk as well as library. The built-in shelves and window seat make a cozy space (for the dog too!) with gorgeous blue finish on cabinetry, doors and trim. The french doors open to the Entry hall and Stair.

Squirrel Cottage (Ramp House)

DRBarbour Photography

Inspiration for a contemporary home office in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors and a library.

Contemporary Duplex, West Village, NYC

Studio ST Architects, P.C.

Bright Study - Warm wood tones give this study a unique quality about it. the light filled space is the perfect setting to sit down and open up a good book. photography by : Bilyana Dimitrova

Harmony Showhome - Calbridge Homes

Rochelle Cote Interior Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized country home office in Calgary with a library, grey walls, light hardwood floors, a built-in desk and brown floor.

Hobbs Custom

CRC Builders, Inc.

Photo of a large country home office in San Francisco with a library, red walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk and beige floor.

FONTAINE - 105m2 de confort!

maéma architectes

Crédit photo Paul Allain
Design ideas for a small contemporary home office in Paris with a library, blue walls, light hardwood floors and a built-in desk.

Ojai Rustic Modern

Erin Ellwood Design

Photo of a small eclectic home office in Los Angeles with a library and light hardwood floors.

Home Office Design Ideas with a Library and Light 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.