Garden offices are an effective way to work from home. By creating a separate working environment away from household distractions and setting clear work-life boundaries, these outdoor offices allow you to set priorities while still meeting work goals.
Garden offices can also be less costly and more accessible to set up than conventional expansion projects, with some suppliers even offering pre-assembled options.
They’re a great way to work from home.
Garden offices provide a quiet place to concentrate without interruption from family life or interruption from outside influences, creating a healthy work-life balance and increasing productivity and well-being. Many opt to work from home at least part-time each week instead of spending both time and money commuting.
Garden offices are typically constructed to a higher standard than traditional sheds, offering more choices in style and design. Pre-designed options may be available, or you can create your own; many suppliers offer custom designs so the final product fits exactly your specific requirements. Cladding options vary according to personal taste, with popular choices including Larch and Douglas Fir from Britain growing as well as cedar wood as it resists warping over time and treated timber, which offers the same features.
Many garden offices feature additional facilities like toilets or shower rooms to make the building fully self-contained, making them suitable for occupations like chiropractic care or beauty therapy, which require separate waiting spaces and treatment spaces or can serve as granny annexes or playrooms for teenagers. By adding such features to their garden office building, many people make the space an appealing choice when using it as an outdoor office space for occupations like chiropractors or beauty therapists who require separate waiting and treatment spaces, or future-proof it so it can serve other uses such as granny annexes or playrooms for teenagers.
In planning, you must consider how your garden office will be ventilated. Temperature and humidity control are vital to making it suitable for year-round use; additionally, consider which windows contain floor-to-ceiling glazing, as some may restrict airflow options.
They’re less expensive than a typical expansion.
Garden offices can often be more cost-effective than expanding your home, especially if they don’t require the purchase or rental of tools for completion. Not only can this save money and be good for the environment, but DIYing allows you to avoid DIY pitfalls such as poor insulation or structural weaknesses.
If you work from home, the dream of having your own garden office may seem appealing. Unfortunately, however, productivity may prove challenging without knowing how to manage time or avoid distractions in the room effectively. Having a separate workspace for work tasks only will allow you to concentrate and maximize productivity, increasing your performance at work and helping you balance home life with work life more easily.
One of the great advantages of having a Garden Office is its adaptability. You can quickly transform it to meet changing needs over time, such as turning it into a playroom as your children grow or reconfiguring it as a gym space. This adaptability will make your garden office even more cost-effective and save you money over time.
Garden buildings must be constructed of high-grade wood and cladding to resist moisture buildup, so it is wise to opt for Helena or Titania buildings. These buildings feature layers of shiplap cladding, a moisture-resistant membrane, thermal insulation panels, and condensation-reducing materials to provide a comfortable workspace year-round. Depending on your garden size and access, they can either come fully assembled or as components. Furthermore, green roofs add beauty and energy efficiency benefits; consider them when designing your office!
They’re less invasive.
Garden offices can be easily hidden away in any corner of your garden, saving you from altering your home’s current layout. This feature is incredibly convenient for young children, as working from home can be hard enough without simultaneously juggling children, pets and household tasks!
Being separate from the house also helps you be more focused and productive, as distractions become much easier to ignore when away from home. Plus, locking it away ensures family members treat it as an area for work instead of doing laundry or eating lunch there.
Having customers or clients visit can be daunting, so having a garden office is an ideal way to host them and separate work and personal lives. Plus, video calls will look much more professional if your clients or customers don’t see you sitting in the kitchen or watching television!
Garden offices also enable you to reduce daily commuting, saving money on fuel and car maintenance while simultaneously decreasing pollution released into the environment—especially important given that vehicles produce most greenhouse gases.
If you’re building a garden office, ensure that the company you select pays close attention to planning regulations and local construction codes. This will ensure that the structure is safe and meets zoning laws, thus lowering any legal issues down the line. Furthermore, look for providers offering residential-standard windows and doors, painted plastered walls, premium electrics (sockets, hard-wired internet connection, and spotlights), heating systems, and high-grade insulation.
They’re great for your health.
Garden offices can provide individuals with a convenient escape from the household’s distractions, helping them achieve higher levels of focus and efficiency. Furthermore, one is less likely to be interrupted by family members saying ‘Mum! or Dad! ‘, which can often impede productivity.
Garden offices provide a peaceful and relaxing workspace. They also use natural lighting to boost concentration and mood, giving you energy and motivation throughout your workday.
Garden offices’ open design allows plenty of fresh air to circulate, helping to promote overall body wellness and reduce stress levels. If possible, opening your office doors allows natural sunlight into the building, providing additional vitamin D benefits that have been proven to combat depression and improve mood.
Working from a garden office offers additional advantages, including providing an ideal setting for in-person meetings without the hassle of cleaning your home or driving through traffic. Meetings may become increasingly challenging as children or pets require attention while trying to complete work duties simultaneously; with a garden office, you can stay productive all at once!
Garden office builders typically offer various customization options, from cladding and internal walls to premium electrics and heating. You should select a company with transparent pricing, warranties, and aftercare services to avoid hidden fees or unexpected costs in the future.
They don’t require planning permission.
If you’re planning to purchase a garden office and are inquiring whether planning permission is required, chances are it likely isn’t. But just to be sure, before committing yourself, check with your local planning department by visiting their website and reading up on any guidelines they provide.
Rules and regulations vary by city, but in general, you can construct a garden office without needing full planning permission as long as certain requirements are met—typically size, positioning, and ensuring it doesn’t negatively affect neighbours.
Consideration should also be given to how the garden office will be used. If regular clients visit it, this may not qualify as “incidental use”, and planning permission from your council may be required before proceeding with construction.
Before beginning construction on your garden office, it is also wise to consult the planning department to ensure it complies with all necessary guidelines. This will help avoid potential issues and guarantee that your building is suitable for working from home.
Garden offices can add significant value to your property, making them an excellent investment if you plan on selling shortly. Adhering to all rules and guidelines for building them will ensure success—plus, notifying neighbours before beginning will reduce their objections!