149,521 Home Office and Library Design Photos

To help you plan your home office design you can take a look through the photos from interior designers, architects and homeowners that showcase great home office ideas in a variety of ways, or keep reading for what else to consider when planning your office design.

How do I select the best office furniture?

For any basic home office or study set up there are just two essential office furniture items: a computer desk and an office chair. If you will be a frequent home worker then you will also want to invest in some filing cabinets and storage. Home office desks need to be large enough to accommodate all the tools of your trade, and the material it is made from will set the tone for your room whether you opt for modern glass, traditional teak, luxurious mahogany or affordable pine. Investing in a good quality task chair is imperative – there are some great ergonomic office chairs at every price level that will help to compensate for our modern, computer-bound lifestyles. If you have room for an office chair other than your computer chair, choose something comfortable but still supportive for when you need a break from your desk. Home office ideas that include bookcases and wall shelves mean your study can double as a home library. For a truly luxurious home office design you could consider fitted office furniture which will maximise the space you have and create a permanent space in your home dedicated to work and study.

How do I decorate my home office?

The right ambience will make your home office a place you enjoy spending time without distracting from the task in hand. Choose a colour scheme that encourages productivity for you – that may be a palette that is calming and restful, or you might feel more inspired by bright invigorating colours and graphic prints. Decorate your study or home office walls with items that create the right studious vibe for the room – wall maps, pinboards that can serve as mood or inspiration boards, and world clocks can all be great options when considering home office ideas. Practical necessities like desk lamps needn’t be unattractive – there a range of stunning designer task lamps available. After all your hard work to make this a productive space, clutter can be very distracting so limit the items on your home office desk to a couple of your favourite photographs and perhaps a trinket or two to stimulate the mind. Papers and office supplies should be tucked away, so keep the space tidy and maintain your office as a calm work or study space that promotes focus – all the better to see your lovely decor with.

How do I create a home office in my small home?

A home office doesn’t have to mean a separate room – the nature of working from home involves compartmentalisation, so apply this concept practically to your living area when considering home office ideas. Even a small space, if sectioned off properly, can be transformed into a great workstation or study area. Unused nooks are the perfect places to fit in a small home office design – place a desk and chair under some floating shelves, or convert an under stairs cupboard into a snug study. Even under-utilised fitted wardrobes can make an innovative makeshift home office desk space with built-in storage. If the room you have can’t accommodate a full set of office furniture, opt for versatile options such as home office desks with built-in drawers or storage benches. If you use a laptop instead of a desktop PC, you may even consider a folding table that can be simply tidied away when you’re done working or studying. Alternatively, you may want to leave the house altogether – garden offices, either purpose-built or converted from sheds, are increasingly popular as a tranquil space away from the chaos of home life. If it was good enough for Roald Dahl, it’s certainly good enough for us.

How do I create a home library?

If the stuffiness of home office desks, swivel chairs and filing cabinets is too much for you, a library space may be more your thing when it comes to study, work or even relaxation. Libraries are peaceful and quiet places, and with careful consideration you can recreate this in an area of your home. Books are obviously going to feature heavily in your home library design, and you’ll need a place to store them. A few bookcases or bookshelf units can create room dividers if you don’t have a whole room to dedicate to a home library, and the benefit of bookcases is that they are movable – you don’t have to stick with one layout it it’s not working. If you don’t want to take up floor space, bookshelves hung on the walls will work just as well, and if you really want that authentic library feel then you’ll have to go with built in bookshelves that stretch from floor to ceiling. Next all you need is a comfy chair in amongst the books or a desk if you plan to do work or study from your library. Remember that library areas can be slotted in all around the home – under the stairs, in a corner of your living room or kitchen, as a mezzanine or in a small spare room.