If you’re looking for an alternative to an extension to accommodate your new home office, or if you just fancy spending your office time in your garden, then you may consider installing a garden office.
Garden offices are usually quick and easy to install and may even add value to your home. In this article, we’ll go over several top tips to consider when installing a garden office or creating home office sheds.
An office in the garden allows you to remove yourself from your home, and create distance between work and home life. Building a garden office is generally easier than you think, take less time and costs less than many believe.
Our Top Tips on Installing a Garden Office
If you’re interested in installing a garden office, an outdoor home office, or converting garden rooms the following tips should help you in the process:
Planning Permission
In most cases, when it comes to installing a garden office, you won’t need to worry about planning permission. This is considering the construction is under 30m2 and below 2.5m in height. The construction must also be at least one metre away from any boundaries. As long as your garden office falls into these categories, it will be considered a ‘Permitted Development’.
However, if you are interested in installing a larger garden office or if you live in a conservation area, you may need to obtain planning permission. If you are concerned, you can contact your local authority for some advice. If you live in a listed building, you will definitely need planning permission to erect a garden office at your property.
Research Product Quality
While some people may choose to take a DIY route and build a garden office from scratch, many people opt for a ready-made construction for their office shed. These are becoming more and more popular, so there are now more suppliers than ever offering this type of construction. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to research the products before you decide to place a purchase.
When deciding on a supplier for your garden office building, take a look at customer reviews online to get an idea of the quality of their products. Also, try to visit a showroom if you can, so that you can get a better idea of what their products, and the design are like.
Below is a list of questions that you should ask the supplier before you commit to a purchase of your new office pod.
● Does the construction come with a warranty?
● What is the building constructed from?
● Can the building be used year-round?
● Do they offer a complete delivery, build and installation package?
● Will the building need to be insulated?
● Does the building require any regular maintenance?
How to Build your Garden Office:
Consider The Location for your Outdoor office
It’s a good idea to think in advance about where you plan on installing your new garden room building. Consider everything from the location to the way in which you want the building to face and what view you would like it to have.
Take a look at your garden and weigh up your options. Consider what you want to be looking at when you sit in your garden office and think about whether you want the office to face the morning sun or if you want it to face the sunset.
Keep the End Use in Mind
Garden buildings can make perfect offices as long as they’re planned correctly. You should keep in mind that you will need an internet connection, many plug outlets, and sources of light to make it a great place to work. And of course you’ll want an insulated garden office to minimise costs and increase warmth.
Consider investing in specialised garden office design plans.
Buying the right building for your modern garden office can really transform your way of living and how you work at home. For some people, it allows you to save money on your commutes and work at home in the garden instead.
Heating the Garden Office
If you plan to use the backyard office all year, you will need to consider how it’s heated. There are several ways in which you can heat your garden office, including the following:
● Electric radiators – These are safe and easy to use but can be quite slow to heat up.
● Electric convection heaters – These are a popular option that can simply be plugged into an electrical outlet. They can be mounted to a wall or free-standing, and some models are available for additional features such as thermostats and timers.
● Underfloor heating – This is a more expensive option but very effective for heating. It’s also important to bear in mind that this type of heating works best with hard flooring and engineered timber.
● Oil-filled radiators – These are a low-cost option of heating that can be plugged in and provide a great amount of heat. They tend to be quite bulky and floor-mounted, but some models come with additional features such as thermostats and timers.
● Log burning stove – A log burning stove adds visual warmth to the room and heats up quickly. This type of heater must be installed by a professional HETAS engineer and will be more expensive than most other heating choices.
There are many options when it comes to installing a garden office. However, if you do your research and pick the right construction to suit your needs, and create a bespoke garden office design, you’ll gain a fabulous new addition to your garden that not only looks great but also provides the perfect place for you to work in comfort.
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Jen is an interiors writer and blogger and has an insatiable love of home style and decor
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