Battens & Barn Doors: What's in 2022's Most Loved Home Offices
Take a peek inside the most popular home office this year on Houzz and see why renovators and readers love them
Julia Fairley
5 August 2022
Chief Sub-Editor and Writer, Houzz Australia and New Zealand. I love design and architecture that is thoughtful, sophisticated and champions an element of the unexpected. Before graduating with a Bachelor of Arts at UNSW and becoming a journalist, I studied interior architecture. For over a decade I have interviewed inspiring creative minds from around the world to write about design in its many different forms. Recently, I have also become an accidental gardener, to everyone's surprise.
Chief Sub-Editor and Writer, Houzz Australia and New Zealand. I love design and architecture... More
What makes a home office so attractive that thousands of people save it to their Ideabooks for future renovations? To find out, we combined editorial knowledge and insights from readers about the most-saved home-office spaces on Houzz. These images were saved between 1 January and 15 June in 2022 from photos uploaded by talented design professionals on Houzz in the year from 30 June 2021 to 30 June 2022. Enjoy!
The humble barn door slid into the spotlight a few years ago and shows few signs of retreating. This home office by Lume Architecture in Melbourne, Victoria, fulfils our growing need for an office that can be connected to or separated from the rest of the home with a stylish solution – in this case, the sliding barn door.
Note the popular V-groove panelling too, and the crisp contrast between the black and white, tempered with the timber floors and joinery. When combined, it’s no wonder this space caught the eyes of so many.
Note the popular V-groove panelling too, and the crisp contrast between the black and white, tempered with the timber floors and joinery. When combined, it’s no wonder this space caught the eyes of so many.
This home office in Brisbane, Queensland, has garnered thousands of saves since Plot Architecture uploaded this project to their Houzz profile. Patricia Wilson of Sydney, NSW, is one of its many fans.
“I like the wooden peg board, it offers lots of uses,” she says. “The shelf and storage looks nice. I also like big windows with ventilation to look out of and provide good light for projects.”
Wilson prefers long desks or workspaces where two people can comfortably work side-by-side, or where one person can spread out their equipment. “I sew,” she says. “One spot for the sewing machine, one spot for the computer – that’s a win. I’m not fussed about the seating, I’m old and need more back support, but I like the cupboard storage under the bench.”
“I like the wooden peg board, it offers lots of uses,” she says. “The shelf and storage looks nice. I also like big windows with ventilation to look out of and provide good light for projects.”
Wilson prefers long desks or workspaces where two people can comfortably work side-by-side, or where one person can spread out their equipment. “I sew,” she says. “One spot for the sewing machine, one spot for the computer – that’s a win. I’m not fussed about the seating, I’m old and need more back support, but I like the cupboard storage under the bench.”
The contemporary professionalism of this home office proved hard to resist for Houzz users. Located in Geelong, Victoria, and crafted by Dylan Barber Building Design, this elongated work-from-home space was part of a larger home renovation (in fact, one of the most-saved powder rooms was also from this project).
But it’s not just the bold, broody colour palette that is collectively love; the ample storage scored some serious points with readers, too. For storage to function as it should, we usually need a mix – small drawers, shallow shelves, tall cupboards – and this space has it all behind sleek closed joinery.
Thinking of carving out an office space at home? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz to discuss the possibilities
But it’s not just the bold, broody colour palette that is collectively love; the ample storage scored some serious points with readers, too. For storage to function as it should, we usually need a mix – small drawers, shallow shelves, tall cupboards – and this space has it all behind sleek closed joinery.
Thinking of carving out an office space at home? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz to discuss the possibilities
Speaking of joinery, this entire home office area can be hidden away behind those floor-to-ceiling cupboards in a dreamy blue-grey. When closed, the concealed working space resembles a run of cupboards flanked by elegant open timber shelving. When open, it’s equipped with everything you need, from storage to integrated LED strip lighting.
This Melbourne space by Demardi is the kind of design many of us dream of, so it comes as no surprise that it’s one of 2022’s most-saved home offices so far.
This Melbourne space by Demardi is the kind of design many of us dream of, so it comes as no surprise that it’s one of 2022’s most-saved home offices so far.
This Brisbane-based design by Paradigm New was adored by many homeowners on the hunt for renovation inspiration. Among them is Helen Denize of Christchurch, New Zealand, who is planning to build a home several hours’ north, at Little Kaiteriteri Beach near the Abel Tasman National Park. “I have been gathering ideas online from Houzz for some time now and find it a wonderful resource,” she says.
“I especially liked the glass doors and detailing of what is a glass wall into the home office, giving it both light and an openness that may otherwise not be accomplished in a work or study space,” she says.
“I am also a fan of herringbone natural wooden flooring. I found the warmth of the wooden furniture, in pale shades that also appeal, a lovely contrast with the black metal finishes. The blinds to the exterior window were also a subtle bonus.”
Katrina Walkenhorst of Ballarat, Victoria, an interior designer at Inhabitat Interiors, also saved this image as inspiration to show her clients as “a great example of design that combines function and beauty”.
“I especially liked the glass doors and detailing of what is a glass wall into the home office, giving it both light and an openness that may otherwise not be accomplished in a work or study space,” she says.
“I am also a fan of herringbone natural wooden flooring. I found the warmth of the wooden furniture, in pale shades that also appeal, a lovely contrast with the black metal finishes. The blinds to the exterior window were also a subtle bonus.”
Katrina Walkenhorst of Ballarat, Victoria, an interior designer at Inhabitat Interiors, also saved this image as inspiration to show her clients as “a great example of design that combines function and beauty”.
Timber battens soared in popularity over a decade ago and the trend has since evolved to see this beautiful material used in myriad creative ways. Zoning is a key consideration for architects and interior designers, and since working from home spiked during the pandemic, different zones within our interiors became increasingly important for growing numbers of people.
Build Theory skilfully executed the zoning of this home office in Adelaide, SA. Acoustically and visually connected yet clearly delineated, this idea of a room divider is amassing followers.
Build Theory skilfully executed the zoning of this home office in Adelaide, SA. Acoustically and visually connected yet clearly delineated, this idea of a room divider is amassing followers.
Take one look at this interior by Nulook Homes and you’d be forgiven for thinking you had stepped into an elegant home office in Europe. However, this project calls Perth, WA, home.
The traditional flavour is created by the timeless combination of the herringbone stained-oak flooring and the inky-blue wall of joinery, which is as functional as it is beautiful. Add a stately desk and office chairs to the mix and the look is complete. We clearly aren’t the only ones who swooned.
Browse more beautiful Australian home offices for inspiration
The traditional flavour is created by the timeless combination of the herringbone stained-oak flooring and the inky-blue wall of joinery, which is as functional as it is beautiful. Add a stately desk and office chairs to the mix and the look is complete. We clearly aren’t the only ones who swooned.
Browse more beautiful Australian home offices for inspiration
This Perth home office from Limitless Building is a minimalist’s dream, adored by Houzz readers around the world, including Jane Bennett in Auckland, NZ. “I love the simplicity and uncluttered feel, but I specifically saved this image because of the wooden shelf; I love how this works with the white,” says.
Currently in the midst of a renovation, Bennett’s plans originally included a home office, but, as is common with many renovations, they have since evolved. What was initially destined to be a dedicated work space will now house a bedroom for Bennett’s oldest daughter.
“Instead, I will be converting an outdoor room (an extra room off the back of the garage that opens up to our pool) into an office space once we finish the current renovations,” she says.
Currently in the midst of a renovation, Bennett’s plans originally included a home office, but, as is common with many renovations, they have since evolved. What was initially destined to be a dedicated work space will now house a bedroom for Bennett’s oldest daughter.
“Instead, I will be converting an outdoor room (an extra room off the back of the garage that opens up to our pool) into an office space once we finish the current renovations,” she says.
Lovers of open storage went weak at the knees when they happened upon this image from Active Building Developments in Adelaide. The mix of tall, short and elongated open shelves provide opportunities for visual displays as well as storage space.
But we believe it’s the generous length of the timber desk that also attracted so many afficionados. The two-toned colour and materials palette works a treat, too.
But we believe it’s the generous length of the timber desk that also attracted so many afficionados. The two-toned colour and materials palette works a treat, too.
Since Sola Kitchens shared this home office in London, UK, with the Houzz community, thousands of individuals have saved this image to their Ideabooks. Again, we see just how popular home offices are that can be hidden from view.
The neat pull-out desk and open shelving caters to both homework and work-from-home scenarios. Add to that the picturesque outlook and the calming grey-blue colour palette and it’s hard to resist.
Your turn
Which of these 10 most-saved home offices would you like to claim as yours? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save your favourite images, and join the renovation conversation.
More
Curious which other projects people on Houzz love the most? Find out here with Symmetry and Light: Why We Love the Kitchens of 2022
The neat pull-out desk and open shelving caters to both homework and work-from-home scenarios. Add to that the picturesque outlook and the calming grey-blue colour palette and it’s hard to resist.
Your turn
Which of these 10 most-saved home offices would you like to claim as yours? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save your favourite images, and join the renovation conversation.
More
Curious which other projects people on Houzz love the most? Find out here with Symmetry and Light: Why We Love the Kitchens of 2022
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I agree the Plot Architecture office looks lovely. However, sitting at a computer with the windows behind the computer is the worst way to orient yourself.
Love the doors in the number 4 Demardi one- what is this kind of door mechanism called?
HU-319610855 they are called pocket doors