Photo of a transitional study room in Gloucestershire with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

Meadow (Preston Hollow)

Nixon Custom Homes

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional study room in Dallas with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

21 Gilmartin Ave., Tiburon

MOONES Home, INC.

MOONEShome
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary study room in San Francisco with white walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and black floor.

Viking Study After

KD Project Design, LLC

After: An original 2 car garage was transformed from a 1978 "martini lounge" to a modern functioning informal dining room, mudroom, half bath and dual office with a new vaulted roofline to maximize space and natural light.

Classic Transitional

YRA Design Inc

Large traditional study room in Miami with beige walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

Gartenwohnung

Heerwagen Design Consulting

Jens Bruchhaus
Large contemporary study room in Munich with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a built-in desk, no fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and brown floor.

CAULFIELD SOUTH

BUILDING SCIENCE AUSTRALIA

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional study room in Melbourne with light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

Country Manor

Vizcor Interiors

Study After
Photo of a large transitional study room in Melbourne with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

Ambler Modern Rooms

Stimmel Consulting Group

Large modern study room in Philadelphia with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

PARIS XIX - Aménagement et décoration d'un duplex

Maud Soulimant Intérieurs

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary study room in Paris with white walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a built-in desk.

mini home offices

Sagart Studio

Inspiration for a small transitional study room in DC Metro with carpet, a plaster fireplace surround, a freestanding desk, beige floor and grey walls.

Projet Mussy

Caravelle Architecture

This is an example of a large contemporary study room in Lyon with white walls, limestone floors, a corner fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a built-in desk and beige floor.

Villa Bunkherr - Kunstvoller Charakter

Philipp Architekten - Anna Philipp

Large modern study room in Frankfurt with white walls, concrete floors, a wood stove, a plaster fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and grey floor.

Traditional Residence - Fairview Farms

Jim Quigley Custom Homes LLC

This is an example of a large traditional study room in Oklahoma City with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

FERRY ROAD, SAG HARBOR

Blue Ocean Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary study room in New York with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a freestanding desk, beige floor and timber.

Hertiage House Moss Vale

KELA Building Group Pty Ltd

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional study room in Other with blue walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a built-in desk, brown floor and medium hardwood floors.

Fraser James Bespoke Study

Paul Matthews Photography

Study, library
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional study room in West Midlands with grey walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a built-in desk, beige floor, wallpaper and wallpaper.

Woollahra Family Home: Heritage meets Contemporary

Anya H Interiors

Mid-sized transitional study room in Sydney with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

Alcott

Acorn Deck House Company

Acorn Deck House additional space for office, library, or dining Boston Real Estate Photography
Traditional study room in Boston with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

FERRY ROAD, SAG HARBOR

Blue Ocean Design

Study Room Design Ideas with a Plaster Fireplace Surround

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.