A dedicated study is one of those features that changes the rhythm of your day. It gives work a place to live, and helps you close the door on it when you’re done. At The Canyons™, study spaces are designed with natural light and practical layouts, so it’s easy to create a setup that feels comfortable and works for your lifestyle.

Canyons Gallery Emerson Model Study

Featured: Emerson Model in the Gallery Collection

1. Start with the desk location and build the room around it.
Start by choosing a desk position that makes sense for light, outlets, and how you actually work. A simple rule is to place your desk where you get natural light without having it shine directly onto your screen. If your study has big windows, set the desk perpendicular to them so the space stays bright without glare. If you’re on a lot of calls, face your desk toward a clean wall where you can hang a piece of art or a small shelf for a tidy backdrop.
Canyons Portrait Brooklyn Model Study

Featured: Brooklyn Model in the Portrait Collection

2. Create a boundary that helps you focus.
A study works best when it clearly signals “work mode.” If your space has doors, a divider, or a defined entry, use that structure to create a clear start-and-stop to the workday. Glass-panel doors or a glass-style divider can add separation while keeping the room feeling open and bright. If you have sliding doors, close them during focus time and slide them open when you’re done. For a small upgrade you’ll notice every day, add a soft-close door stop or a quiet latch so the room stays calm when you’re coming and going.
Canyons Gallery Pemberly Model Jess Blackwell Photography Study

Featured: Pemberly Model in the Gallery Collection

3. Set up storage that prevents pile creep.
The best work-from-home studies are the ones that avoid slowly turning into a catch-all room. The key is giving everyday items a place to land. Plan for two kinds of storage: closed space for cords, paperwork, and office supplies, and open space for a few things you use daily, like a notebook or a small stack of books. If you have space, a low cabinet or credenza is a smart addition for hosting a printer and a charging station to keep your desk surface clear. 
Canyons Reserve Traditions Model Study

Featured: Traditions Model in the Reserve Collection

4. Make the lighting work for calls and late afternoons.
Natural light is always good, but you want lighting that holds up when the sun shifts or the day runs long. Aim for a simple three-layer setup: a ceiling fixture for overall brightness, a desk lamp for focused work, and a softer secondary light like a floor lamp to keep the room from feeling harsh. For video calls, put a light source in front of you instead of behind you. A lamp on a side table or a desk lamp can brighten your face and keep the background from going dim.
Canyons Retreat Haven Model Study

Featured: Haven Model in the Retreat Collection

5. Add one comfort piece so the room works beyond meetings
A study is more useful when it can flex. Some days it’s heads-down work, and other days it’s a quiet place to read, review paperwork, or take a call that needs privacy. If you have the space, add a comfortable chair or a small loveseat so you’re not anchored to the desk all day. It gives you an easy second spot to sit, and it also works well if someone steps in for a quick conversation. A small rug helps soften the sound of footsteps and makes the room feel more settled, especially if the study sits near a busier part of the home.
Canyons Lifestyle Woman Dog Walking Bennett Photography

6. Build in a break that feels like part of the routine.
One of the perks of working from home at The Canyons™ is having an easy reset right outside your door. Set up your workspace with quick breaks in mind, like keeping walking shoes or a water bottle nearby. When you have a gap between calls, step out for a short loop or a few minutes of fresh air so you can come back feeling clear and focused.

Bringing It All Together
A great work-from-home study comes down to the basics done well: a desk that makes sense, a boundary that helps you focus, and storage that keeps clutter from building up. Get those right, and the space starts working for you.

If you’re touring at The Canyons™, take a minute to stand in the study and picture a normal workday. Notice where the light falls, how the room feels from the doorway, and where your desk would naturally land. When the layout feels right in person, it’s easy to turn it into a workspace you’ll actually want to use.