5 New Home Offices That Hide Clutter in Style
Designers share clever ways to conceal cords, files and equipment while maintaining a residential feel
Many homeowners want a home office that feels more like a thoughtfully designed room than a workplace. But accommodating files, printers, computers and charging stations without creating visual clutter can be a challenge. Here, design pros share five home offices that pair smart storage and hidden technology with inviting, personalized style.
2. Moody Gallery Retreat
Designer: Susan Yeley of Susan Yeley Homes
Location: Bloomington, Indiana
Size: 224 square feet (21 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “This office is part of an office-bathroom-library suite that gives the owner breathing space, so his book collection is within reach but he can work without visual clutter,” says designer Susan Yeley. “Also, the space, by request, is populated with repurposed existing pieces. The desk was reoriented and an additional custom privacy panel was added. The chairs were re-covered, and the art was rehung in new locations.”
Special features. “The wallcovering is woven silk, and the ceiling and trim are one of our favorite nuanced navies — Benjamin Moore’s Newburg Green,” Yeley says. “Your hint that it’s nuanced is that it isn’t even called blue. The owner, who is a gallerist, struggles with migraines, so the desk was oriented away from windows, focusing the view instead on stunning and large artwork behind the two chairs — art that can be changed regularly as his collection expands.”
Cord and document control. “The rug has a ‘buttonhole’ cut through it for cords to access a strategically placed floor outlet,” Yeley says. “And the desk has two privacy panels to conceal not just cords but legs — human and furniture. In fact, the desk and one of the panels were existing but we reoriented the desk to give it passage on all sides, so we had a local craftsperson duplicate a panel for the other side.”
Designer tip. “Paint your trim and ceiling something other than white,” Yeley says. “Especially in a room where the ceilings are high, the vibe is moody and the natural light is plentiful.”
Yeley uses Houzz Pro software to manage her projects and business. “We use many features, including Selections, Proposals, files and photos, the client dashboard, Time and Expense Tracking, Purchase Orders, and Retainers and Credits. For this client, the biggest help was Proposals to get the OK on making purchases.”
Wallcovering: Silk Elegance, York Wallcoverings
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
Designer: Susan Yeley of Susan Yeley Homes
Location: Bloomington, Indiana
Size: 224 square feet (21 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “This office is part of an office-bathroom-library suite that gives the owner breathing space, so his book collection is within reach but he can work without visual clutter,” says designer Susan Yeley. “Also, the space, by request, is populated with repurposed existing pieces. The desk was reoriented and an additional custom privacy panel was added. The chairs were re-covered, and the art was rehung in new locations.”
Special features. “The wallcovering is woven silk, and the ceiling and trim are one of our favorite nuanced navies — Benjamin Moore’s Newburg Green,” Yeley says. “Your hint that it’s nuanced is that it isn’t even called blue. The owner, who is a gallerist, struggles with migraines, so the desk was oriented away from windows, focusing the view instead on stunning and large artwork behind the two chairs — art that can be changed regularly as his collection expands.”
Cord and document control. “The rug has a ‘buttonhole’ cut through it for cords to access a strategically placed floor outlet,” Yeley says. “And the desk has two privacy panels to conceal not just cords but legs — human and furniture. In fact, the desk and one of the panels were existing but we reoriented the desk to give it passage on all sides, so we had a local craftsperson duplicate a panel for the other side.”
Designer tip. “Paint your trim and ceiling something other than white,” Yeley says. “Especially in a room where the ceilings are high, the vibe is moody and the natural light is plentiful.”
Yeley uses Houzz Pro software to manage her projects and business. “We use many features, including Selections, Proposals, files and photos, the client dashboard, Time and Expense Tracking, Purchase Orders, and Retainers and Credits. For this client, the biggest help was Proposals to get the OK on making purchases.”
Wallcovering: Silk Elegance, York Wallcoverings
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
3. Built-In Backdrop
Designer: Brittney Heiser of Heiser Designs
Location: Redmond, Washington
Size: 141 square feet (13 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner envisioned a stylish home office that blended functionality with a beautiful aesthetic that would inspire them to create their best work,” says designer Brittney Heiser.
Special features. “We added built-in cabinetry with open shelving to create a stylish backdrop to the space,” Heiser says. “A strategically placed center art display is complete with an art light. Ample open shelving offers space for displaying decor. A floating white oak desk provides warmth and contrast to the gray cabinetry.”
Cord and document control. “Closed cabinetry stores office supplies and work documents,” Heiser says. “Power sources are located on the left and right inside returns of the bookcases for anything that needs to be plugged in on the countertop. We additionally added outlets to the interior of the cabinets and under the desk for concealed cord management.”
Designer tip. “Incorporate both built-in elements and freestanding furnishings to create a multifunctional space that is both beautiful and functional,” Heiser says.
Chair: Bryson, Four Hands; desk: Elson, McGee & Co.
Designer: Brittney Heiser of Heiser Designs
Location: Redmond, Washington
Size: 141 square feet (13 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner envisioned a stylish home office that blended functionality with a beautiful aesthetic that would inspire them to create their best work,” says designer Brittney Heiser.
Special features. “We added built-in cabinetry with open shelving to create a stylish backdrop to the space,” Heiser says. “A strategically placed center art display is complete with an art light. Ample open shelving offers space for displaying decor. A floating white oak desk provides warmth and contrast to the gray cabinetry.”
Cord and document control. “Closed cabinetry stores office supplies and work documents,” Heiser says. “Power sources are located on the left and right inside returns of the bookcases for anything that needs to be plugged in on the countertop. We additionally added outlets to the interior of the cabinets and under the desk for concealed cord management.”
Designer tip. “Incorporate both built-in elements and freestanding furnishings to create a multifunctional space that is both beautiful and functional,” Heiser says.
Chair: Bryson, Four Hands; desk: Elson, McGee & Co.
4. Gentleman’s Study
Builder: Mark Kendrick of Kendrick Design-Build
Location: Bluffton, South Carolina
Size: 192 square feet (18 square meters); 12 by 16 square feet
Homeowners’ request. This is the home office of builder Mark Kendrick. His wife, Anna, helped design the space. They wanted a sophisticated look inspired by classic Ralph Lauren interiors, with rich finishes, layered textures and subtle equestrian influences that evoke the feel of a private gentleman’s study.
Special features. Dark green built-ins and trim (Salamander by Benjamin Moore). Cast-metal and antique brass finish wall-mounted deer head. Stained pine details. Custom full-size Murphy bed. Grasscloth wallcovering. Custom desk. “Thoughtful details such as deep wood tones, leather accents, antique-inspired furnishings and subtle equestrian touches contribute to a timeless, curated environment that reflects both comfort and understated luxury,” Anna says.
Cord and document control. A hidden cord-management system mounted beneath the custom wood desk helps organize wiring and electronics out of sight. Floor outlets installed beneath the desk further reduce visual clutter and contribute to the office’s streamlined appearance.
Designer tip. A Murphy bed allows the office to double as a guest room when needed. The feature was included to provide a comfortable main-level sleeping space for visitors who may have difficulty navigating stairs.
Deer head: Frankie the Stag, EmieJames
8 Smart Ways to Turn a Spare Bedroom Into Your Favorite Space
Builder: Mark Kendrick of Kendrick Design-Build
Location: Bluffton, South Carolina
Size: 192 square feet (18 square meters); 12 by 16 square feet
Homeowners’ request. This is the home office of builder Mark Kendrick. His wife, Anna, helped design the space. They wanted a sophisticated look inspired by classic Ralph Lauren interiors, with rich finishes, layered textures and subtle equestrian influences that evoke the feel of a private gentleman’s study.
Special features. Dark green built-ins and trim (Salamander by Benjamin Moore). Cast-metal and antique brass finish wall-mounted deer head. Stained pine details. Custom full-size Murphy bed. Grasscloth wallcovering. Custom desk. “Thoughtful details such as deep wood tones, leather accents, antique-inspired furnishings and subtle equestrian touches contribute to a timeless, curated environment that reflects both comfort and understated luxury,” Anna says.
Cord and document control. A hidden cord-management system mounted beneath the custom wood desk helps organize wiring and electronics out of sight. Floor outlets installed beneath the desk further reduce visual clutter and contribute to the office’s streamlined appearance.
Designer tip. A Murphy bed allows the office to double as a guest room when needed. The feature was included to provide a comfortable main-level sleeping space for visitors who may have difficulty navigating stairs.
Deer head: Frankie the Stag, EmieJames
8 Smart Ways to Turn a Spare Bedroom Into Your Favorite Space
5. Tailored and Bright
Designer: Melissa Powell of The Design Shop
Design-build firm: New Leaf Custom Homes | Dallas
Location: Dallas
Size: 145 square feet (13 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner wanted a home office that felt calm and highly functional,” says designer Melissa Powell. “The vision was to create a bright, tailored workspace that could support everyday productivity while still feeling connected to the overall design of the home. The room needed to feel polished enough to be seen and enjoyed but practical enough for daily use. To solve that we focused on a soft neutral palette, custom storage, warm white oak millwork, layered lighting and a clean furniture layout that allowed the desk to become the focal point without overwhelming the room.”
Special features. “This space features white oak cabinetry and flooring, integrated art lighting, double-stacked flat ceiling trim, honey bronze hardware and a brass-and-opal light fixture,” Powell says. “The built-ins provide both open display and closed storage, while the soft drapery, large window and light wood tones keep the room feeling warm, bright and inviting.”
Cord and document control. “The custom built-ins were key to keeping this office visually clean and functional,” Powell says. “Closed lower cabinets allow files, office supplies, paperwork and less decorative items to be tucked away, while the open shelves are reserved for art, books and styled accessories. Keeping the desk surface minimal also helps reduce visual clutter and allows the room to maintain a calm, polished feel.”
Designer tip. “In a home office, balance function with beauty by mixing closed storage with open display,” Powell says. “Closed cabinetry keeps everyday office items hidden, while open shelving gives you a place to add personality through art, books and decorative objects.”
Light: Bouldin salt-blasted glass chandelier, Crate and Barrel; upholstered desk chair: Four Hands; rug: Ernesta
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Designer: Melissa Powell of The Design Shop
Design-build firm: New Leaf Custom Homes | Dallas
Location: Dallas
Size: 145 square feet (13 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner wanted a home office that felt calm and highly functional,” says designer Melissa Powell. “The vision was to create a bright, tailored workspace that could support everyday productivity while still feeling connected to the overall design of the home. The room needed to feel polished enough to be seen and enjoyed but practical enough for daily use. To solve that we focused on a soft neutral palette, custom storage, warm white oak millwork, layered lighting and a clean furniture layout that allowed the desk to become the focal point without overwhelming the room.”
Special features. “This space features white oak cabinetry and flooring, integrated art lighting, double-stacked flat ceiling trim, honey bronze hardware and a brass-and-opal light fixture,” Powell says. “The built-ins provide both open display and closed storage, while the soft drapery, large window and light wood tones keep the room feeling warm, bright and inviting.”
Cord and document control. “The custom built-ins were key to keeping this office visually clean and functional,” Powell says. “Closed lower cabinets allow files, office supplies, paperwork and less decorative items to be tucked away, while the open shelves are reserved for art, books and styled accessories. Keeping the desk surface minimal also helps reduce visual clutter and allows the room to maintain a calm, polished feel.”
Designer tip. “In a home office, balance function with beauty by mixing closed storage with open display,” Powell says. “Closed cabinetry keeps everyday office items hidden, while open shelving gives you a place to add personality through art, books and decorative objects.”
Light: Bouldin salt-blasted glass chandelier, Crate and Barrel; upholstered desk chair: Four Hands; rug: Ernesta
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Sponsored
Designer: Christine Dennison of Dennison Interior Design
Location: Denver
Size: 207 square feet (19 square meters)
Homeowner’s request. “The client is an attorney who runs her practice from home and needed serious filing capacity, but she didn’t want the room to read as an office,” says designer Christine Dennison. “Her ‘ask’ was for a space that felt like a natural extension of her well-designed home: warm, collected, personal.”
Special features. “The iron desk was a deliberate counterweight,” Dennison says. “Its thin legs and open silhouette keep the room from feeling bottom-heavy against the wall of cabinetry. To keep the millwork from feeling utilitarian, we wallpapered the nooks in a soft floral and used the shelf material as the filler between the lift-up storage cabinets.”
Cord and document control. “Nothing kills a beautiful office faster than a tangle of cords or a printer on display,” Dennison says. “We planned electrical access at the millwork stage, not after, which let us run power directly into a closed cabinet for the printer and modify the file drawers to route cords inside the casework. Every category of paperwork has a dedicated home: letter, legal, binders, supplies. Even the printer sits on a pullout shelf inside a cabinet. A bench opposite the desk hides additional storage in push-to-open drawers. When everything has a place, the room feels intentional. The result is a working law office that reads as a refined library.”
Designer tip. “Measure your equipment before you draw the cabinetry, not after,” Dennison says. “Standard cabinet depths often won’t accommodate what a real working office needs, and semicustom lines have limits. Map your electrical access at the same time so power lands exactly where you need it. And always install wallpaper before open built-ins go in so the pattern repeat reads correctly across the wall.”
Desk: Noir
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