Large study room in Other with green walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a freestanding desk, brown floor and recessed.

Carter

PurezaWood

Home office with custom wide plank flooring, chandelier and fireplace.
Design ideas for a large country study room in Chicago with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and brown floor.

Lakeview Residence

4D Design + Consulting

Large study room in Other with green walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a freestanding desk, brown floor and recessed.

Tammarron Elegance

Jennifer Butler Design

The previously dark, masculine and dated office was dramatically transformed to this bright, interesting space, now coveted by kids and parents alike. The desk is by Vanguard, with a chair by Kravet, and vintage rug from 1stDibs. DLCouch white linen covers the walls, with a vinyl by the same company above. Never forget to decorate the ceiling.

Modern Farmhouse - Vintage Oaks Texas

CKC Custom Homes

Mid-sized country study room in Austin with grey walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Craftsman Cottage

Nathan Homes LLC

Photo of an arts and crafts study room in Omaha.

Waterfront Post and Beam

Doyle Coffin Architecture LLC

Mid-sized country study room in New York with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a built-in desk, brown floor and wood.

Cottage Escape

Wright-Ryan Homes

Large beach style study room in Portland Maine with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a freestanding desk, exposed beam and wallpaper.

Carter

PurezaWood

Lakeview Residence

4D Design + Consulting

Design ideas for a large study room in Other with green walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a freestanding desk, brown floor and recessed.

Modern Farmhouse - Vintage Oaks Texas

CKC Custom Homes

Design ideas for a mid-sized country study room in Other with grey walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Lakeview Residence

4D Design + Consulting

This is an example of a large study room in Other with green walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a freestanding desk, brown floor and recessed.

Large study room in Other with green walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a freestanding desk, brown floor and recessed.

Waterfront Post and Beam

Doyle Coffin Architecture LLC

Photo of a mid-sized country study room in New York with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a built-in desk, brown floor and wood.

Carter

PurezaWood

Home office with custom wide plank flooring, chandelier and fireplace.
Inspiration for a large country study room in Chicago with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and brown floor.

Stacked Stone Study Room 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.