Anice Hoachlander
Inspiration for a large traditional study room in DC Metro with white walls, medium hardwood floors 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 Offices & Libraries

Gabellini Sheppard Associates

Paul Warchol
This is an example of a contemporary home office in New York with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a built-in desk and a library.

Traditional Home Office

Mid-sized traditional study room in Los Angeles with white walls and a built-in desk.

Shaker profile polyurethane - Corrimal

Krauss Kitchens

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional study room in Wollongong with white walls, carpet and a built-in desk.

Vina's Tiny House

Sol Haus Design

Custom cabinet detail of wardrobe door with cabinet pull and mural design of fallen leaves. Photo: Keri Oberly
Design ideas for a small contemporary study room in Los Angeles with medium hardwood floors, white walls, no fireplace and a built-in desk.

Parkside Contemporary

Laura U Design Collective

Julie Soefer
Contemporary study room in Houston with white walls and a built-in desk.

Woollahra Cottage

ANNA CARIN Design

Cate Gray
Inspiration for a small contemporary home office in Sydney with white walls, light hardwood floors, a built-in desk and brown floor.

Comfortable Country Entertaining Home

Karen Richmond, Neil Kelly Company

Here is the built in desk area with open shelves, library drawers and a custom bulletin board to make organization a breeze. Photo courtesy of Neil Kelly--Aaron Ziltener

Built-In Kitchen Work Station

BSA Construction

Built-in work station in open concept kitchen and dining room remodel. Custom white cabinets with glass front doors and built-in lighting. Custom storage nooks and hidden electrical outlets. Hardwood floors, white trim and copper coffered ceiling.

Office & Craft Rooms

California Closets, Roseville

Craft Room with Lighted Countertop
This is an example of a large traditional craft room in Sacramento with white walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and a built-in desk.

Tremont Street Residence

ACTWO Architects

Greg Premru
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary home office in Boston with white walls, no fireplace and a built-in desk.

murphy bed enclosure

peaslee design

In the closed position, shelves and cubbies are accessible as well as a bank of 4 touch-latch activated drawers on the right and a 5' wide full-extension drawer underneath the bed frame.

Sky Condo

Palmerston Design Consultants

justice darragh as seen in apartment therapy
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary study room in Toronto with a built-in desk, white walls and dark hardwood floors.

Putney, Loft Conversion

Hannah Brown

Inspiration for a contemporary home office in London with white walls, carpet, a built-in desk and beige floor.

Northwest Hills

Laura Roberts Design

Built-in office area in the back corner of the house has expansive views of the hills and treetops. Photo by Whit Preston.
Inspiration for a contemporary home office in Austin with white walls, dark hardwood floors and a built-in desk.

Annandale

All Time Constructions

Photo of a small contemporary study room in Sydney with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a built-in desk and brown floor.

Sellwood Library House

The Works

This turn-of-the-century original Sellwood Library was transformed into an amazing Portland home for it's New York transplants. Custom woodworking and cabinetry transformed this room into a warm and functional workspace. Leaded glass windows and dark stained wood floors add to the eclectic mix of original craftsmanship and modern influences. Lincoln Barbour

ridgecrest

Studio 4C

Inspiration for a small contemporary study room in Denver with white walls, a built-in desk, terra-cotta floors and no fireplace.

Downtown Escape

User

Custom Built bunk bed system allows for extra accommodation within the home, and can be folded up when not in use.
This is an example of a small contemporary home office in Detroit with white walls, dark hardwood floors and a built-in desk.

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.