This is an example of a transitional home office in Miami.

Home office with wall paneling and desk.
Photo of a mid-sized transitional study room in Minneapolis with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a freestanding desk, beige floor and panelled walls.

Quail Call

Jennifer Taylor Design

A home office with style! A linen wrapped desk sits in front of a custom built-in.
Design ideas for a transitional home office in Other with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Greenlea

Visbeen Architects

Photo of a small country home office in Grand Rapids with white walls and medium hardwood floors.

NEW project 1

kelly mcguill home

Design ideas for a transitional home office in Boston.

Mill Valley Residence

Wright Architecture

Nestled in the redwoods, a short walk from downtown, this home embraces both it’s proximity to town life and nature. Mid-century modern detailing and a minimalist California vibe come together in this special place.

Laurel Grove

Kirsten Johnstone Architecture

Mid-sized contemporary study room in Melbourne with white walls, carpet, a built-in desk and grey floor.

Homey Project

Blue Copper Design

Bright white home office space
Photo of a mid-sized country home office in Phoenix with a library, white walls, carpet, a freestanding desk and beige floor.

Taplow Riverside House

Honeycomb

Inspiration for a transitional home office in Buckinghamshire with grey walls, carpet, a freestanding desk and grey floor.

Tribeca Townhouse

B Interior

Design ideas for a contemporary study room in New York with grey walls, no fireplace, a freestanding desk and wallpaper.

Shirley

Barrow Builders Group

Inspiration for a transitional study room in Dallas with multi-coloured walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk and beige floor.

Wellington

Milieu

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional study room with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Pacific Palisades, L.A.

Chango

Architecture, Construction Management, Interior Design, Art Curation & Real Estate Advisement by Chango & Co. Construction by MXA Development, Inc. Photography by Sarah Elliott See the home tour feature in Domino Magazine

Elegant Home Study

FIONA DUKE INTERIORS

Anna Stathaki
This is an example of a traditional home office in Hertfordshire with green walls, medium hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

OUR INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO

Michelle Gage | Interior Designer

This is an example of a mid-sized eclectic home studio in Philadelphia with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Transitional Home Office

Design ideas for a large transitional study room in New York with grey walls, a freestanding desk, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Quimby Mid-Century

James Frank Construction Inc

Mid-Century update to a home located in NW Portland. The project included a new kitchen with skylights, multi-slide wall doors on both sides of the home, kitchen gathering desk, children's playroom, and opening up living room and dining room ceiling to dramatic vaulted ceilings. The project team included Risa Boyer Architecture. Photos: Josh Partee

Clifton

Holloway Quinn Interior Design

This is an example of a beach style home office in Chicago with a library, grey walls, light hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Home Renovation, Boston, MA

kelly mcguill home

kyle caldwell photo
This is an example of a country study room in Boston with white walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Ardsley Custom

M. Lahr Homes

This is an example of a large transitional study room in Orlando with medium hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

White 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.