The combination den-office is a cozy place to take care of business, play a game of chess, read or chat. Though the overall home is transitional, this space leans more toward the traditional, anchored by the client's ornately carved desk.

Greenwich, CT III

Rayon Richards Photography

Photo of a traditional home office in New York with a library, brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Interiors

Forte' Homes Construction LLC

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional study room in Phoenix with brown walls, medium hardwood floors and a freestanding desk.

High-End Home Office

MasterWorks Custom Cabinets, LLC

Study/Library in beautiful Sepele Mahogany, raised panel doors, true raised panel wall treatment, coffered ceiling.
Photo of a mid-sized traditional home office in Raleigh with medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk, a library and brown walls.

Oriental Rugs

Oriental Rugs of Scottsdale

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional study room in Other with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and a standard fireplace.

Forest Lake Home Office

GGC Construction

This mahogany paneled library was created on-site by our master carpenters and finished with a quality equal to fine, residential furniture. The end result was truly stunning.

Traditional Home Office

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional study room in New York with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and a freestanding desk.

Library NJ

WL Kitchen & Home

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional study room in New York with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and a freestanding desk.

Side Tilt Wall Bed & Custom Cabinetry in Home Office

Valet Custom Cabinets & Closets

Custom wall bed & home office by Valet Custom Cabinets & Closets, Campbell CA.
Photo of a mid-sized traditional study room in San Francisco with brown walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, a built-in desk and brown floor.

Dark Blue Cabinetry & Book Shelving

Grovewood Joinery

Dark blue cabinetry and book shelving for a study area.
Inspiration for a large traditional home office in London with a library, brown walls, no fireplace and a freestanding desk.

Gentleman's Study

Reed & Acanthus Interior Design

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional home office in New Orleans with a library, brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Endsleigh

Mr & Mrs Smith

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional home office in London with a library, brown walls, light hardwood floors and brown floor.

Walnut Home Office/Library

Custom Kitchens Inc

Cabinetry by Crystal Cabinet Works Inc., Country Classic door finished in Wheaton on walnut. Antique Brown Extra granite tops. Designer, Douglas Leake, CKD. John Magor Photography

Estate Home

Guest Interiors, LLC

Photo of a mid-sized traditional home office in Charlotte with a library, brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and a built-in desk.

Quail Ridge Project

Vesta Builders, Inc.

Mid-sized traditional home office in Other with a library, brown walls, medium hardwood floors and a freestanding desk.

Mahogany Paneled Library with Fireplace

Sanford Custom Builders, Inc

Large traditional study room in Boston with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a built-in desk.

Paneled Cherry Library features Coffered Ceiling

CabinetWerks by Orren Pickell

http://www.cabinetwerks.com The library features a dramatic coffered ceiling, fully-paneled cherry walls, and fireplace with stone surround and hearth. Photo by Linda Oyama Bryan. Cabinetry by Wood-Mode/Brookhaven.

Sater Design Collection's 6935 "Casa Bellisima" Home Plan

Sater Design Collection, Inc.

The Sater Design Collection's luxury, Italian home plan "Casa Bellisima" (Plan #6935). saterdesign.com
This is an example of a large traditional study room in Miami with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and a freestanding desk.

House by Regent's Park - Project by Vicki Wells/Wells & Trembath

Adam Butler Photography

Photographs by Adam Butler
Traditional home office in London with brown walls, a freestanding desk and a library.

Saint Louis Penthouse

Alan E Brainerd Interiors Inc

Photo of a mid-sized traditional home office in Orlando with a library, brown walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Traditional Home Office Design Ideas with Brown Walls

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 traditional 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 traditional 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 traditional 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 traditional 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.