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.

Randall

Amareaux Interior Design Inc.

Photo of a transitional study room in Detroit with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a freestanding desk, brown floor, decorative wall panelling and vaulted.

Cypress River Plantation Lot 178

Dawol Homes

Inspiration for a large home office in Charleston with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, vaulted and decorative wall panelling.

A Home Office Red with Envy

MOTIF Design Solutions, LLC

Grab a book and get settled into this cozy reading nook. An otherwise unused attic space was converted into a reading room and home office for the owner. Although collected and eclectic, this room became a fast favorite for relaxing on a lazy afternoon.

Two houses in one house

Amorphous Studio

Photo of an expansive contemporary home studio in Los Angeles with white walls, light hardwood floors, a freestanding desk, beige floor, vaulted and decorative wall panelling.

Maisonette 2 Othmarschen

Aimo Plus

Der elegante Raum in Greige mit pinkfarbenen Akzentenlehnt sich an einm samtene Wand in Petroleum an. Eine Mischung aus Ruhe und Lebendigkeit, die zum konzentrierten Arbeiten und Coaching einlädt.

Cape Cod Retreat

12/12 Architects & Planners

This is an example of a traditional study room in Chicago with green walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk, brown floor, vaulted and decorative wall panelling.

LB House

Shane Marsh Architects

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary study room in Brisbane with white walls, ceramic floors, a built-in desk, grey floor, vaulted and decorative wall panelling.

A Splash of Red Never Hurts

MOTIF Design Solutions, LLC

Cape Cod Retreat

12/12 Architects & Planners

This is an example of a traditional study room in Chicago with green walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk, brown floor, vaulted and decorative wall panelling.

Cape Cod Retreat

12/12 Architects & Planners

Design ideas for a traditional study room in Chicago with green walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk, brown floor, vaulted and decorative wall panelling.

Cape Cod Retreat

12/12 Architects & Planners

Design ideas for a traditional study room in Chicago with green walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk, brown floor, vaulted and decorative wall panelling.

Craftsman style home addition

Amorphous Studio

Inspiration for a mid-sized arts and crafts study room in Los Angeles with white walls, porcelain floors, a freestanding desk, beige floor, vaulted and decorative wall panelling.

Home Office Design Ideas with Vaulted and Decorative Wall Panelling

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.