First impression count as you enter this custom-built Horizon Homes property at Kellyville. The home opens into a stylish entryway, with soaring double height ceilings. It’s often said that the kitchen is the heart of the home. And that’s literally true with this home. With the kitchen in the centre of the ground floor, this home provides ample formal and informal living spaces on the ground floor. At the rear of the house, a rumpus room, living room and dining room overlooking a large alfresco kitchen and dining area make this house the perfect entertainer. It’s functional, too, with a butler’s pantry, and laundry (with outdoor access) leading off the kitchen. There’s also a mudroom – with bespoke joinery – next to the garage. Upstairs is a mezzanine office area and four bedrooms, including a luxurious main suite with dressing room, ensuite and private balcony. Outdoor areas were important to the owners of this knockdown rebuild. While the house is large at almost 454m2, it fills only half the block. That means there’s a generous backyard. A central courtyard provides further outdoor space. Of course, this courtyard – as well as being a gorgeous focal point – has the added advantage of bringing light into the centre of the house.

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.

Sherwood Family Queenslander

Studio Lifestyling

Photo of a large beach style home office in Brisbane.

Wheelers Hill home

Jasmine McClelland Design

Working from home looks perfect.
Design ideas for a small contemporary home office in Melbourne with light hardwood floors, a built-in desk and beige floor.

New Farm Light House

Shane Marsh Architects

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.

Art and Craft Studio and Laundry Room Remodel

Tracy Tesmer Design/Remodeling

Art and Craft Studio and Laundry Room Remodel
Large transitional craft room in Atlanta with white walls, porcelain floors, a built-in desk, black floor and panelled walls.

Offices & Bookcases

Webber Coleman Woodworks

Rustic White Interiors
Inspiration for a large transitional study room in Atlanta with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Frenchville Remodel

Deborah Hook

This small home office is a by-product of relocating the stairway during the home's remodel. Due to the vaulted ceilings in the space, the stair wall had to pulled away from the exterior wall to allow for headroom when walking up the steps. Pulling the steps out allowed for this sweet, perfectly sized home office packed with functionality.

Arbogast Homes Spanish Oaks Santa Barbara

Arbogast Custom Homes

This is an example of a large mediterranean study room in Austin with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

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.

Transitional Home Office

Photo of a small transitional study room in Omaha with grey walls, carpet and a freestanding desk.

Modern Custom Home Full of Style and Function

Erica Peale Design

This modern custom home is a beautiful blend of thoughtful design and comfortable living. No detail was left untouched during the design and build process. Taking inspiration from the Pacific Northwest, this home in the Washington D.C suburbs features a black exterior with warm natural woods. The home combines natural elements with modern architecture and features clean lines, open floor plans with a focus on functional living.

Southgate Estates Home

Celtic Custom Homes

Inspiration for a large transitional study room in Other with black walls, light hardwood floors, a built-in desk and panelled walls.

Collier Gate Office

Bailey Ward Interiors LLC

This is an example of a large transitional study room in Atlanta with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a built-in desk and brown floor.

Classic With a New Angle

Studio Dearborn

This expansive Victorian had tremendous historic charm but hadn’t seen a kitchen renovation since the 1950s. The homeowners wanted to take advantage of their views of the backyard and raised the roof and pushed the kitchen into the back of the house, where expansive windows could allow southern light into the kitchen all day. A warm historic gray/beige was chosen for the cabinetry, which was contrasted with character oak cabinetry on the appliance wall and bar in a modern chevron detail. Kitchen Design: Sarah Robertson, Studio Dearborn Architect: Ned Stoll, Interior finishes Tami Wassong Interiors

Glen Oak

Luminosus Designs LLC

Kitchen desk,
Photo of a small beach style study room in New York with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, a built-in desk and brown floor.

Our Work

Silver Brothers Construction

Large traditional home office in Cedar Rapids with a library, beige walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and white floor.

Leavitt

Green Tech Construction

Jared Medley
Large transitional study room in Salt Lake City with grey walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk and beige floor.

Contemporary Home Office

Inspiration for a small contemporary study room in San Diego with black walls, light hardwood floors, a built-in desk and beige floor.

home library

Eleven Four LLC

Photo of a small transitional home office in Charlotte with a library, beige walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Large and Small Home Office Design Ideas

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.