Have you been spending more time at home than usual over the past 12 months? A lot of us have been stuck in our houses looking at the same four walls for nearly all of our work and leisure time for a while now. This has led to an understandable spike in people seeking new ways of developing their existing space into something that can feel a little more fun, but also highly functional.
For those with outdoor spaces, there has been a growing demand for garden rooms. These amazing rooms can be used as a space for socialising, such as an at-home pub or bar, a separate classroom for homeschooling children, or even a yoga studio.
With the rise of homeworking, you may find that you need a new place to accommodate your work materials, as well as somewhere you can work without distraction. A contemporary garden room from Garden Retreats could be the perfect solution for a remote working set-up.
This article will discuss why you might want a garden workspace, as well as some planning and design considerations.
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Why have a garden office?
There is no denying that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we work. As this situation continues, our “temporary” working from home seems like it may become a permanent situation. Working from the kitchen table or sharing a makeshift office space with your partner or spouse is not a sustainable—or healthy—option for long-term remote workers.
Even those who are not traditionally office-based have found that COVID-19 has made significant changes to how they run their businesses. Many freelancers and small business owners need a dedicated space to work, but this doesn’t need to be a rented high street location or co-working space. Why waste valuable rent money if you aren’t using the space?
If you don’t have sufficient room to work from home inside your house but do have garden space, a bespoke garden room could be the perfect office solution. An extra room in your garden specifically for working can provide some much-needed separation from the noise and distractions of your domestic environment.
Of course, this can help you to leave work behind as well. Since we can often find it difficult to mentally switch off from our jobs when working from home, creating a physical space to work that is separate from your domestic environment can help you establish a healthier distinction between your professional and personal life. So when you do step back into your house, you can enjoy time with your family without the distraction of notifications or the temptation to do ‘just one more’ task before dinner.
Is a garden office a good idea?
We want you to get the most out of your garden office. It is the perfect way to create a dedicated workspace and could enrich your life in numerous ways, such as increased work output and more dedicated time with loved ones. While all of this may sound amazing, there are some things to take into consideration before installing a garden office building.
You will first and foremost need to think about the overall size of your garden: is there enough space to build your office pod while also leaving plenty of room for others to relax in the garden? If not, is this something that everyone in your house is happy with?
When deciding whether or not a garden office is a good idea, you should also factor in the time it will take to plan and organise the space appropriately so that you can use it effectively.
Since this should be an investment purchase intended for longevity, you should also think about how long-term your home working situation is likely to be. While this is a very cost-effective solution in comparison with renting private premises or space in an office building, make sure that your new garden office is going to get plenty of use.
The Garden Retreats pod
The Garden Retreats office pod is the perfect choice when you are looking to create the perfect home working space. These pods come in three sizes, each priced to reflect their size—so even if you have a small garden, there is a Garden Retreats pod for you. The pods are designed to be modular, meaning you can add more pods as your business grows over time. You can even add a deck and roof terrace!
Garden Retreats pods are also superior to other styles of outbuilding, as they guarantee zero maintenance and can easily be taken with you if you move. This will mean that your working life will not need to be put on pause while you set up a new home office space.
The materials used to manufacture a Garden Retreats pod require 75% less energy for production and transportation than steel. Made from sturdy carbon fibre, these pods will not expand or deteriorate, and the composite material cladding will not cause condensation. Finished with a choice of bifold or patio doors, the pods create the ideal cosy and aesthetically pleasing garden studio space so that you can get to work when you need to and focus on the task at hand.
Whether you are developing a growing company or looking for a way to focus on your new remote office job, this flexible and modern way of creating extra working space is the ideal opportunity for joining the growing home office market.
Frequently asked questions
Does a garden room add value?
A garden room or studio has the potential to add up to 5% value to your property, however, you can also take it with you if you move to a new location and have the outdoor space to accommodate it.
Do you need planning permission for a garden office?
You do not generally require planning permission when adding a garden office to your home.