28 Study Room Ideas Perfect for Productive Work Days

Create a Dark, Moody Moment

Form meets function in this wow-worthy study decorated with a cool gallery wall and modern furniture.

"This office was intended to be a place to not only work, but to be inspired," says Ginger Curtis, president of Urbanology Designs. "Colors, textures, lighting, and accessories were all added to marry these two worlds."

Marry Fashion and Function

When Bria Hammel, CEO and creative director of Bria Hammel Interiors, was designing this home office for a lawyer, she prioritized creating a space that felt both productive and comfortable.

“By displaying law school books in the built-ins, opting for a moodier navy paint color, and layering in softer details like the custom bench cushion, pillows, and plush rug, this room is not only functional, but also reflects my client's style," Hammel says.

Create a Zoom-Ready Backdrop

Create a Zoom-ready background for remote work meetings with a curated collection of decor objects.

“It was very important to our client to have an attractive Zoom background for frequent work-from-home days, which is why we went with two tall shelves to house accessories and books, with utilitarian storage in the lower cabinets,” says Lina Galvão, principal designer at Curated Nest. “Personally, I love that the desk has storage on both sides, adding function and visual interest.”

Set Up a Homework Room

Set up a kids' study room with desks for homework and a lounge space for taking breaks. Michelle Berwick Design decorated this space with neutral tones and an abstract wallpaper mural that adds interest without distracting.

Lean into the Light

When designing this family-friendly beach house, interior designer Kathy Kuo had multiple objectives for this sunny study room.

“The goal was to make the space feel equal parts productive and functional, as well as comfortable and beautiful,” she says. That meant including a desk, complete with drawers and trays for organization, in the sunniest spot.

Opt for Academic Hues

This cozy study corner needed to host the homeowner’s colleagues for work retreats, as well as family and friends throughout the year.

“We utilized every nook of this transitional-style home to create spots that made perfect sense for comfortably settling in with a laptop or with a book or journal,” Kuo says.

Incorporate Leather Elements

Leather furniture is a timeless choice to add a seating area in your study room or home office.

“Because of its soft yet structured qualities, leather can be both chic and cozy,” says interior designer Shannon Crain. “I selected leather armchairs and a leather desk to anchor this handsome study.”

Create a Hybrid Space

Repurpose a small room into a hybrid study and lounge space where you could whip up a work presentation on your laptop or just relax with a book after hours.

This bright and welcoming reading room from interior designer Karen Harautuneian is located adjacent to the kitchen in a 1920's Spanish Revival home.

Style Books Backwards

It doesn't get much cozier than this loft. Because the space is small and simplistic, Curtis notes that the built-in book wall was important to add movement and interest to this space.

While you may not want to work a 9-5 in a loft space like this, it makes for a spectacular study (and snoozing) spot.

Paint the Ceiling

Repurpose a sunroom into a study room that benefits from a ton of natural light. Interior designer Caroline Brackett transformed a light, bright sunroom into a cozier office and den space for the whole family.

“Since the ceilings are so tall, we painted the walls and ceiling all the same color to make the room feel more intimate and enveloping,” she says. The sisal floor covering and velvet upholstery add to the heavier, moodier feeling too.

Choose a Cheerful Palette

Choose a springy color palette to create an uplifting feel in a study room for tweens or teens. This space combines fresh green paint on the built-ins with pink chairs and ceiling wallpaper for a vibrant ambiance.

Optimize Nooks and Crannies

If you don't have an entire room to dedicate to a study space, optimize underutilized or awkward corners. Urbanology Designs created a flexible workspace by placing a custom work surface beneath a window and installing a space-saving sconce on the wall.

Stick To Simple Furnishings

If you're working with a wall of windows, keep the room's focus on the view.

"In this chic yet relaxed office we really wanted to embrace the architectural simplicity and beauty of the window," says Curtis of Urbanology Designs. She chose furniture and lighting with clean lines, natural materials, neutral tones, and soft textures for a distraction-free zone.

Get Creative with Seating

To give your home office a cozy touch, consider seating beyond the standard desk chair. Caroline Aycock, principal designer at Koukla Collective, suggests looking for a corner that you can convert into a nook or the opportunity to build in a window seat.

“Whether you’re working, reading, or just catching up on emails on your phone, having a secondary comfortable place to sit—always with pillows and ambient lighting—is key." she says.

Put a Bookshelf to Work

Never underestimate the power of a bookshelf for storing essentials and displaying decor.

"We intentionally created an asymmetrical design to bring something unexpected to this space," says Curtis. "The white walls with a mix of organic wood tones feels elevated yet inviting."

Make Use of an Alcove

If you don't have the square footage for a full study room, get creative with unused space.

Alicia Hassen of Brooklinteriors housed a functional kids' desk in an alcove off a spacious staircase landing with plenty of storage (thanks to buckets, baskets, and a shelf).

Add a Punch of Personality

If a leopard-print carpet and lime green curtains are what will help you focus, by all means—let your personality shine. Let this colorful space by Well Designed Interiors serve as proof that a study room can be far from boring.

Create a Study Alcove

Create a study room within a room with glass doors. Alicia Hassen of Brooklinteriors used stacking glass sliding doors to create a perfect partition between an open living and dining space that works for the whole family.

Install a Bulletin Board

Think like your fourth grade teacher and hang a large bulletin board above the desk. Elle Du Monde flanked the work station with built-in bookshelves and topped with a pair of sconces.

Repurpose an Attic Space

If you have an attic space that solely stores holiday decorations, dare to transform it into something more functional. Lucy O’Brien of Tartan & Toile turned an historic home attic into a regal study room designed around a rare encyclopedia collection.

Add a Mural

Add elegance to your den with a hand-painted mural or wallpaper mural. Marian Louise Design chose a lakeside scene that wraps around the room, even behind the build-in cabinets, but doesn't feel busy thanks to its soothing theme.

Install Wraparound Built-Ins

Storage is key for a calming study space. This study room by Room With a View Interiors features wall-to-wall-to-wall built-in cabinets for serious storage and distraction-free studying.

Convert a Closet

Convert a spare bedroom closet into a hidden study nook with built-in seating, floating bookshelves, and William and Morris wallpaper.

"Our client loves to read so this space is an elegant space to dive into books and display their extensive photography book collection," says Alicia Hassen of Brooklinteriors.

Float a Shared Work Table

If studying is a group activity in your home, float a large desk in the middle of the room. Elle Du Monde placed chairs on both sides to create a comfortable shared workspace.

Style the Built-Ins

For a cohesive look on bookshelves, choose a monochromatic theme. Maybe you stock up on a single set of matching encyclopedias, or choose to artfully display only red-jacketed books.

Install Twin Work Stations

Set up a family-friendly workspace built for sharing with a pair of matching desks, chairs, and table lamps. Desiree Burns Interiors created at-home hot desks that can be used for homework sessions or remote work days in this sleek minimalist space.

Build a Basement Study Nook

Create a study room nook in the corner of a finished basement to create a quiet place to work. Michelle Berwick Design positioned a built-in work station beneath a basement window to take advantage of natural light.

Design a Corner Layout

Maximize space with a corner workspace. Kate Marker Interiors matched L-shaped storage desks to the wall color, and topped them with butcher block surfaces for contrast in this shared study room.