Before the pandemic the concept of working from home seemed like a far-fetched dream to many, but the term is now a commonplace in all of our lives. As per a 2023 survey at least 40% of UK adults reported working from home. It is further predicted that by 2025 the working model will change significantly to allow for better employee well-being and flexibility while retaining high productivity, and by creating dedicated spaces outside of the office we can help enable all of the above.
But, can you really build a small garden office right in your property?
Indeed!
And in this article we’re going to review the many personal and professional benefits of having a dedicated outdoor office without the added distractions of working from the kitchen table but with the multiple benefits of working in nature and close to your loved ones, such as:
1. Enhanced Productivity
While working from home has many huge benefits, working ‘in’ the home might not be as advantageous. To simply have a separate physical space in the form of a small garden office or large garden shed, that allows you to focus on your output rather than on Luna (the cat) who keeps falling asleep on your keyboard or knocking over your coffee, enables you to save time and to mentally separate work from leisure, allowing for a well-balanced and joyous lifestyle.
2. Connecting with Nature
From upgrading your memory and keeping blood pressure in check, to enhancing your mood and inspiring creativity, working in nature has been proven to have multiple benefits to both your mental and physical well being. Imagine swapping out the long commute through smog and traffic for a relaxing day of work next to your strawberry patch! Instead of getting caught up in the stress of city life, you’ll inevitably end up spending more time in your garden, while enjoying your fifteen minute coffee breaks alongside your resident hedgehogs.
Booker prize winning author George Saunders speaks frequently of his own wooden shed, or ‘Writing Shed’ as he calls it, describing it as having, ‘No fences or distant rooftops. Just the shed surrounded by trees and the shadows of trees,’ where there is inarguably much potential to create.
3. Increased Property Value
Considering the rapidly changing global working trends, a garden building will undoubtedly add value to your property, even up to 5% of the total sale price, which, in Norfolk, could amount to a substantial £12,000 based on the 2024 average sales figures of Norwich homes, which itself is a 1.6% increase from the previous year, meaning that adding an outdoor office is a great investment in any property as the housing prices continue to rise.
4. Professional Atmosphere
Gone are the days of viral zoom calls where Luna (the cat) happens to walk across your keyboard three times and turns on a ridiculous filter. With a designated garden office you can not only freely have your zoom meetings without having to blur the background and lock all the doors, but you can also host in-person meetings, presentations and workshops without having to worry about the professional atmosphere of the space.
So, what are the rules for garden offices in the uk?
While Norfolk Sheds' home offices are designed to adhere to planning rules, it’s good to be aware of when permissions might come into play, so you can go on to design your wooden shed without worrying about limitations.
However, you will need to apply for necessary permissions if any of the following apply:
- You shed is within 5m from the main house
- Your shed is within 2m from the boundary wall, and the edges of the roof exceed 2.5m
- Your shed exceeds 50% of your garden area.
- The floor space of your shed exceeds 15 sq m.
It is important to note that if you live in a listed building, a conservation area, or want to build a larger structure, you may need to seek planning permission even if the above do not apply, and it’s advisable to check with your local council before proceeding.
Once that is sorted, you can begin to carefully plot what will best suit your needs and enhance the functionality of your property. Consider whether you will only be using this garden building as a home office or whether it could also double up as a guest room or art studio. Understanding your long term needs will help in designing something that is functional and versatile.
Where in my garden should I set up my home office?
Ideally an outdoor office should be located at a substantial distance from your house, allowing for a felt separation between your personal and professional spaces. If you have a smaller garden you can think of creating aesthetic barriers like natural ponds, planted walls or screens to delineate the different spaces.
How to make the most of natural light and views in a home office?
Your garden office is where you will be spending the majority of your day, and where you might host your colleagues and fellow professionals, so consider creating something that makes the most of what your garden has to offer in terms of light and tree coverage. Consider where the most natural light is available so you can save on electricity bills. For artificial lighting, a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting will create a balanced environment. LED lights are energy-efficient and can be dimmed or adjusted to suit different times of the day.
Also consider where you might be able to make use of overhead tree cover for shade during the summer months, but also note that this might affect whether your shed can have an apex or pent roof, depending on how close it is to the tree cover, for more information on the two different roof types - apex or pent, read our article here.
What size and materials should I consider for my home office?
How large would you like your outdoor office to be and what would you like it to contain? Will it just be a writer’s shed for you and your desk to really reign in and focus, or a larger space with an additional area designated for leisure, reading and relaxation? Would you like some space for a coffee station? How many people will be using this space during the week?
You can have a look at The Marlborough Log Cabin as an example of what might work as a great little writer’s shed or small garden office, while the Carli Pent Home Office offers versatility with its spacious and multifunctional layout as a large garden shed.
In terms of materials, the prefabricated home offices we provide at Norfolk sheds are custom designed to suit the needs of a home office. Our Cali Pent Office has an external cladding of engineered wood board and cedar finish, with an MDF interior board moisture resistant internal cladding.
What is the best foundation for a garden office?
A frequently asked question when it comes to setting up home offices is about the shed base. And it’s true, the foundation does ultimately hold your office through time and weather, and will help determine the longevity of your structure. So it is important to consider the material and size of your shed base, when choosing a foundation. Fortunately, this decision is made easier for you because we at Norfolk sheds ask that the customer prepares a level base made from either concrete or paving slabs, each of which have their own sets of benefits depending on your timescale and budget. Keep in mind that the size of the base needs to be 10cm (6’’) bigger than the foot-print of the building to prevent overhang.
How do I make the perfect home office space?
Once the structure is up and set in place, how does one go about best creating the most comfortable and ergonomic garden office possible while in proximity to your home?
Heating and Insulation
Unlike a tool shed that may not require insulation and heating, an outdoor office will definitely need year round insulation to keep the space warm in winter and cool in summer. Double-glazed windows are a must for energy efficiency and soundproofing while high quality insulation in the walls, floor and roof will enable you to do the same, and underfloor heating can provide warmth without taking up space.
Power and Connectivity
Your garden office outdoors needs to be fully equipped with electricity and internet connectivity. Work with a qualified electrician to install power sockets, lighting, and any other electrical systems you might require. For internet access, you might need to extend your home Wi-Fi or install a dedicated broadband line.
Interior Design
Now, the fun part!
There are many tricks on how to make the most of a small space, including furniture that is specially designed to serve both ergonomic and storage needs in a home office space, but in addition to that, why not use this as an opportunity to have something that is completely yours and inline with your creative interests and what most inspires you?
Whether it is vintage furniture or hanging plants, there are a number of ways to transform your home office into what you most desire. It might even be helpful to read about some famous home offices. Whether it was Mark Twain’s Octagonal Study or Roger Water’s Studio Shed, history has clearly proven that a good garden building makes for legendary work!
Installing your Garden Office
Once you've planned where you’d like your outdoor office and what it might look like, the next steps involve the heavy lifting, i.e., installation.
Luckily, at Norfolk Sheds we provide our excellent installation team at an added price depending on the size of the chosen wooden shed. This ensures professional and foolproof installation without you having to worry about whether or not you’ve got it on the foundation correctly.
Alternatively, if you would like to DIY, ensure that you have the correct tools and specs ready as we can offer free deliveries up to Kings Lynn, for you to then set up your shed to your liking!
Finally, how do you want your outdoor office to appear in your garden? Do you want it to be hidden away behind a trellis of creepers or should it stand out? Once installed you can start to design your garden around your home office so that they best compliment each other's features. If you would like to paint your office, Norfolk Sheds provides a number of shades here, as well as outdoor furniture to create a complimentary space around your outdoor office.
Regular maintenance of your garden office is something you will have to consider with the newest addition to your property. To retain value over the years and minimise wear and tear, regular painting to protect the wooden shed from weather and pests with Norfolk Sheds speciality wood preserving and Eco Shield Paints will ensure you retain quality with time. We go over the importance of painting one’s sheds in a blog post here.
Now, all that’s left is to make your dream a reality!
At Norfolk Sheds we have a number of prefabricated offices to choose from, as well as wood cabins that can be modified into home offices. Our Corner Lodge Log Cabin bears an uncanny resemblance to Mark Twain’s Octagonal Study, and our Cali Pent Home Office’s offer a versatile layout that can be modified into a guest house if and when necessary. However, if you have something particular in mind, do send us a sketch so we can put together a design detailing the specs and layout for you to consider and approve of so that we can then fabricate the same!
As we venture into the future of changing work models, and the job market, as we additionally begin to better understand the links between productivity and well-being, there is not much that can compete with a home office. A garden office of your own will provide you both the security of added property value, and the tranquility of having a designated space for work right next to your beloved home. It might also encourage you to spend more time out in the garden, getting your daily dose of Vitamin D, fresh air and bird song.
And sure, maybe on the weekends, when you’re taking a break from it all, you can even do a cheeky garden office tour for Luna (the cat).