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.

Burrawang, Southern Highlands

Lime Building Group

Inspiration for a contemporary home office in Wollongong with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a built-in desk and brown floor.

Noosa Heads Beach House

Gull Design - Bespoke Joinery & Interiors

Design ideas for a beach style home office in Sunshine Coast with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, a built-in desk, brown floor and panelled walls.

Stretchy Space

Ande Bunbury Architects

These floor to ceiling bookshelves were built in the entry corridor to this apartment - an area previously filled with clutter. Custom designed joinery provides a workspace and storage for and extensive collection of books, bikes, helmets, bags, scarves, printers and stationery items. A rolling library ladder allows for a home library to extend right to the ceiling and emphasise the spaciousness of the high ceilings.

Transitional Home Office

Inspiration for a transitional home office in Sydney with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a built-in desk and brown floor.

Collis, Brighton East

The Kitchen Design Centre

Mid-sized contemporary home office in Melbourne with white walls, carpet and a built-in 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.

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

Farmington 001

Ezra Lee Design+Build

Inspiration for a contemporary home office in Salt Lake City with white walls, carpet, a built-in desk and grey floor.

Office and guest room

Jula Cole Design

Home office with custom builtins, murphy bed, and desk. Custom walnut headboard, oak shelves
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury study room in San Diego with white walls, carpet, a built-in desk and beige floor.

Interior Portfolio

Reynolds Architecture- Design & Construction

Reynolds Cabinetry and Millwork -- Photography by Nathan Kirkman
This is an example of a traditional study room in Chicago with dark hardwood floors, a built-in desk, white walls and no fireplace.

Las Campanas Remodel

Annie O'Carroll Interior Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional study room in Albuquerque with white walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and a built-in desk.

White is white, 76,5m2 à Paris

Ameo Concept

Idéalement situé en plein cœur du Marais sur la mythique place des Vosges, ce duplex sur cour comportait initialement deux contraintes spatiales : sa faible hauteur sous plafond (2,09m au plus bas) et sa configuration tout en longueur. Le cahier des charges des propriétaires faisait quant à lui mention de plusieurs demandes à satisfaire : la création de trois chambres et trois salles d’eau indépendantes, un espace de réception avec cuisine ouverte, le tout dans une atmosphère la plus épurée possible. Pari tenu ! Le niveau rez-de-chaussée dessert le volume d’accueil avec une buanderie invisible, une chambre avec dressing & espace de travail, ainsi qu’une salle d’eau. Au premier étage, le palier permet l’accès aux sanitaires invités ainsi qu’une seconde chambre avec cabinet de toilette et rangements intégrés. Après quelques marches, le volume s’ouvre sur la salle à manger, dans laquelle prend place un bar intégrant deux caves à vins et une niche en Corian pour le service. Le salon ensuite, où les assises confortables invitent à la convivialité, s’ouvre sur une cuisine immaculée dont les caissons hauts se font oublier derrière des façades miroirs. Enfin, la suite parentale située à l’extrémité de l’appartement offre une chambre fonctionnelle et minimaliste, avec sanitaires et salle d’eau attenante, le tout entièrement réalisé en béton ciré. L’ensemble des éléments de mobilier, luminaires, décoration, linge de maison & vaisselle ont été sélectionnés & installés par l’équipe d’Ameo Concept, pour un projet clé en main aux mille nuances de blancs.

Home Office Reading Nook

Lasley Brahaney Architecture + Construction

This cozy corner for reading or study, flanked by a large picture window, completes the office. Architecture and interior design by Pierre Hoppenot, Studio PHH Architects.

Invermarge

CO Interiors

This office was created for a couple who both works from home and collaborate together from time to time. We created a custom T-shape desk surface which creates a partition between the two work stations yet offers a collaborative surface if necessary. The most interesting feature within the office is the photographic artwork of Italian architecture in the middle of the upper shelving unit. It’s actually divided into three sections and attached to a pair of sliding doors, which open and close part of the storage unit.

Closet Desks

MC Design LLC

If clutter drives you crazy you should absolutely consider incorporating a hidden closet desk (or two) into your home. In this office, we converted two double closets into two individual hidden work zones so that when the doors close at the end of the day, the main office remains looking neat

Stylish Understairs Study

Neville Johnson Ltd

This innovative fitted furniture solution converts a previously unused area under the staircase and transforms it into a stylish home study area with plenty of storage. Each element of the bespoke, handcrafted understairs office has been carefully considered to not only maximise space but work as efficiently as possible. Everything is in easy reach yet stored away neatly and conveniently to create a sophisticated home office area.

Tribeca Loft Renovation & Penthouse Addition - Franklin St.

Bespoke Architecture, PLLC

This is an example of a large contemporary study room in New York with white walls and a built-in desk.

Bridle Trails Remodel

SHED Architecture & Design

Mark Woods
Small midcentury study room in Seattle with white walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and a built-in desk.

The Grey Barn

User

Inspiration for a large country study room in Boston with white walls, light hardwood floors, a built-in desk and brown floor.

Home Office Design Ideas with White Walls and a Built-in Desk

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.