​Need a work space? See our best study room ideas

homify Eclectic style study/office
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No matter if you’re designing a living room or decorating an extra bedroom, two things need to be considered: style and function. But this rings even truer when it comes to a study or home office – a crucial space these days, as modern times are seeing more and more people undertake creative side projects and/or work from home.

So, how does one effectively design a room that combines both working- and living spaces? By putting in a little more thought than you would for, say, adding scatter cushions to a bedroom or laying down new carpet for the hallway. Remember that a home office isn’t just about decorations – it’s also a place you go to escape distraction and find focus. 

To make this project easier (and more fun), we’ve compiled these study room ideas. Pay attention!

1. Study room ideas: Strike a balance

The essential elements when it comes to study room ideas are crucial, seeing as they will serve as your foundation for your study/work space. These elements will help style up a good-looking room which will also balance effortlessly with your particular lifestyle, and the first batch of important elements is: 

1. Striking a balance 

2. Considering your lifestyle 

3. Finding outlets  

4. Prioritising storage.

Let’s start with striking a balance! Your home office, first of all, needs to be a productive space that allows you to focus on the task at hand, whether it’s working on taxes, designing an invitation for a party, or filing family photos. 

Start by thinking of the utility of your office design. Do you need a lot of filing room? Is a flat surface with lots of space for moving around more important? 

Then, think about your style and choose pieces that will be inviting, inspiring, and calming.

2. Study room ideas: Consider your style

As you’ll be spending lots of time in your home office, it needs to show off your personal style. However, it must still reflect the overall style of your home. 

Do you want a chic and inviting space that allows you to curl up with a good book? Or does it need to be more of an urban design (bright, contemporary and inspiring) that gets those creative juices flowing?

3. Study room ideas: Find the outlets

A modern home office can have just as much technology as its corporate counterparts. That’s the beauty of shops that sell computers, routers, printers, additional monitors, etc. While playing with various study room ideas, take note of where each power source is to make sure it is within range of everything you need. 

For instance, if you’re opting for a free-standing desk in the middle of the room, consider investing in additional outlets for the floor below to keep the space safe and streamlined.

4. Study room ideas: Prioritise storage

The last thing your home office should be is messy, as it will influence your mood and productivity. In addition to storing items that you use on a daily basis, your home office will probably also house important, long-term documents. 

Regardless of the final design, plan for plenty of storage in the form of bookshelves, magazine files, boxes, cubby holes, and drawers to create a clean and calm look.

5. Study room ideas: Table or desk

The second batch of vital pieces focuses on your study room’s layout, which are: 

1. A table or desk, 

2. Seating, 

3. Cabinetry. 

When it comes to study room ideas, you need to ensure that the essential furniture pieces are close enough so that you can easily get what you need. The size of the room and the kind of work you’ll be doing there will help decide on the size of the table or desk you require. 

For a study that looks sharp and organised, go with a simple table with clean lines and no drawers. But if you’re going to be keeping lots of papers, notebooks and other elements, this is not a practical solution. Then, rather opt for a large table with drawers and other built-in spaces (like cubby holes), yet which also features a large surface for working.

6. Study room ideas: Seating

Your desk chair needs to be functional and practical, seeing as it will influence your comfort. Thus, look for one that encourages good posture.

Next, consider whether you require additional seating for clients or visitors. You could even have a little breakout space for reading and relaxing.

7. Study room ideas: Cabinetry

Select a cabinet to keep order in your space and add a personal touch to your design scheme. But regardless of the design, you need to choose something in proportion to the rest of the space.

For a room with low ceilings, go for a sideboard cabinet that won’t draw attention to the lack of height in the space. For higher ceilings, make use of the extra vertical space via a tall display cabinet.

8. Study room ideas: Lighting

The third and final batch of vital pieces focuses on your study room’s accessories. These all help to bring the room’s design together and add character. Remember that you want your study space to be different from a traditional corporate environment – it needs to show your own individuality and sense of personal style.

The important accessories for your study room are: 

1. Lighting, 

2. Décor, 

3. Soft furnishings. 

Like any other room, natural lighting is important to help make a space comfortable. So, bring in colours and surfaces that will amplify the existing light in the room (such as soft neutral colours, glass surfaces, etc.). 

And don’t skimp on artificial lighting sources. Invest in layered lighting, like a table lamp on your desk, plus an overhead ceiling light to further illuminate your working space.

9. Study room ideas: Décor accessories

Here is your chance to put some of your favourite things out on display for character. Candles, photo frames, potted plants, beautiful bookends, souvenirs collected on your travels, etc. 

Just make sure the end result is still clutter-free and organised. And keep your room’s look consistent by choosing pieces with subtle repetition across shapes, materials, style, or colours.

10. Study room ideas: Soft furnishings

Don’t underestimate the importance of soft comfort in your study room. Cushions, rugs, blankets, throws, curtains and other soft textiles can all help to dress up the space.

And focus on texture, pattern and colours to make your space feel warm and inviting instead of cold and clinical. 

homify hint: Patterned fabrics can look stylish, but then be sure to balance the space by choosing plain colours to accent bolder statement pieces in the room.

Speaking of books, here is What you need to know to create a home library.

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