Joyelle West Photography
Photo of a small traditional study room in Boston with white walls, light hardwood floors and a built-in desk.

Stone Waterfront in Greenwich, CT

JBMP Architecture and Interior Design

Design ideas for a traditional study room in New York with green walls, dark hardwood floors and a freestanding desk.

Travis & Kelly’s Home

T.A. French - Custom Builder

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional study room in Austin with beige walls, carpet, no fireplace, a built-in desk and grey floor.

North Andover Renovation

Apple Wood Construction, Inc.

Kath & Keith Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional study room in Boston with dark hardwood floors, a built-in desk, grey walls and no fireplace.

Interior Portfolio

Reynolds Architecture- Design & Construction

Reynolds Cabinetry and Millwork -- Photography by Nathan Kirkman
This is an example of a traditional study room in Chicago with dark hardwood floors, a built-in desk, white walls and no fireplace.

Home office

Decorator's Choice Closets

Org Dealer
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional study room in New York with dark hardwood floors and a freestanding desk.

Arcadia French Country

Hendricks Construction

Large traditional study room in Phoenix with a built-in desk, green walls, medium hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Grand Haven Custom Home

Chirigos Designs / Design Bar

The home office is used daily for this executive who works remotely. Everything was thoughtfully designed for the needs - a drink refrigerator and file drawers are built into the wall cabinetry; various lighting options, grass cloth wallpaper, swivel chairs and a wall-mounted tv

Oak Park

Scott Christopher Homes

This home office includes a built in desk and flanking cabinetry for ample storage. A custom framed bulletin board adorns the wall
Photo of a small traditional study room in Grand Rapids with beige walls, ceramic floors, a built-in desk and beige floor.

Newton I

Margaret Jane Design Group

Spacecrafting Photography, Inc.
Inspiration for a traditional study room in Minneapolis with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a built-in desk and brown floor.

Shingle Style Lake Home

James McNeal Architecture and Design

In partnership with Charles Cudd Co. Photo by John Hruska Orono MN, Architectural Details, Architecture, JMAD, Jim McNeal, Shingle Style Home, Transitional Design Corner Office, Built-In Office Desk, Floating Shelves, Window Shades, White Trim

Kitchen Desk

Mary McKenna & Associates, Inc.

Conveniently located kitchen home office.
This is an example of a large traditional study room in Boston with white walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, a built-in desk and beige floor.

The Doheny Penthouse

Osinoff General Contractors

Creating an alcove with the addition of a pair of bookcases gives this room a focal point that can almost compete with the spectacular view. Painting the walls and ceiling a color like Mysterious by Benjamin Moore gives the room a drama. The added transom window brings the natural light into what would be a dark hallway and echos the industrial feel of the Master Bath. Painting the french doors with whiteboard paint lets this creative writer jot down his ideas here, there and everywhere. Laura Hull Photgraphy

Pursuit of Happiness

Casabella Interiors

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

Newton, MA Home

KH Window Fashions, Inc.

KH Window Fashions, Inc. custom window treatments. Motorized Hunter Douglas Vignette tiered shades. Decorative pillow made from black and camel wool flannel fabric. Photography by Scott Erb Photography.

Custom Libraries & Home Offices

WL Kitchen & Home

Sitting area in wood-paneled home office. Couch and chairs in front of fireplace and built-in wood bookshelves.
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional study room in New York with brown walls, carpet and a freestanding desk.

Traditional Home Office

Large traditional study room in Philadelphia with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a freestanding desk, brown floor, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Blinds & Shutters

Lightbenders of Mobile - Custom Shutters

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional study room in Orange County with green walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Maison Noir

CM Natural Designs

This builder-house was purchased by a young couple with high taste and style. In order to personalize and elevate it, each room was given special attention down to the smallest details. Inspiration was gathered from multiple European influences, especially French style. The outcome was a home that makes you never want to leave.

Executive Home Office in Plymouth, MA

CC Woodcrafters of New England

Chuck Pappas
Photo of a mid-sized traditional study room in Boston with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a built-in desk and no fireplace.

Traditional 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 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.