Garden Office Transformations
Garden offices provide freelancers with an ideal space for managing work-life balance while meeting family obligations.
Preserved gardens and green areas in office spaces deliver genuine sustainability benefits while improving employee health and wellbeing through Biophilic Design principles of indoor nature exposure. This offers many companies a significant business opportunity.
As a Home Office
As garden room owners utilize their space as both work- and retreat-spaces, garden rooms often serve as home offices. This makes a wonderful option for anyone wanting a clear separation between work and life at home, and an uninterrupted place where they can focus without distractions from outside sources such as kitchen tables, spare bedrooms or the sofa at home – especially those relying on productivity to increase well-being! Dedicated outdoor workspaces may increase productivity as well as wellbeing levels significantly.
As more people work from home, garden offices have become an increasingly popular trend. When designing one for yourself, many considerations must be made, from planning permission regulations and interior layout decisions to utility logistics and security concerns.
James and Alison from Shed Guru offer helpful advice for turning any unloved spot of your garden into the ideal home workspace.
Consider where your garden office will receive the most natural light and any scenic views before choosing its location. Arranging the furniture accordingly is also key in creating an efficient workplace; Alison advises putting a bespoke desk into an alcove or corner facing outward toward windows for maximum use if space is at a premium.
An inviting garden office can be an absolute pleasure to spend time in, and choosing lighting that complements its design can set the right ambience for work in this space. Alison recommends forgoing wall lights in favor of spotlights which can be adjusted depending on what task needs doing at any one time.
If your garden office will serve multiple functions, be sure to include the necessary plumbing from an early stage. Doing this will be much easier and cheaper than retrofitting it later. For instance, if you plan on installing a toilet or kitchen into it later on. By notifying your supplier upfront they will include this aspect of their quote without any unpleasant surprises later.
As a Yoga Studio or Home Gym
Garden offices can easily transform over time into yoga studios, home gyms or teenage dens – giving you complete control and setting clear boundaries between family life and the outside world.
Garden rooms can easily become hybrid office/gyms thanks to prefabricated garden pods that offer flexible and insulated workspace. You’ll benefit from the peaceful nature of your garden while working towards your fitness goals at once!
Personalizing the design of a hybrid garden office/gym is key to making it feel authentically yours and encouraging regular use. Motivational decor and custom color schemes can inspire productivity while gym features such as ergonomic equipment and non-slip flooring are great ways to promote posture, safety and enjoyment during workout sessions. Smart technology such as remote controls for lighting, temperature and music settings helps stay productive and motivated during workout sessions; adding an exercise mat or compact treadmill into this hybrid garden room may allow easy transition between desk work and intense workout sessions.
As a Therapy Den
Dedicated workspaces offer physical separation from the rest of your home and can help you „turn off,” increasing focus, productivity and wellbeing. Holistic therapists such as Karen Nicolaou of Avatar Wellness in California rely heavily on dedicated offices such as her garden office with treatment couch and acoustic panels to enhance client experiences while protecting confidential conversations and data.
An affordable garden office may be an attractive solution for those with an existing garage or shed that is currently not being utilized as an office, saving both cost and hassle of building an extension or loft conversion. Once completed, garden offices can then be reconfigured as needed throughout your home life cycle (ie teenage den or hobby/workout space) while adding value to the property.
Garden offices come in many shapes and sizes, with some manufacturers providing various cladding options, extra features, and finishes for custom structures. If purchasing pre-built garden offices, make sure the price includes installation as well as any ongoing costs for electricity, heating or cooling costs.
Consider how you will use your garden office when designing it – as this will affect its size and functionality needs. For instance, if using it as a therapy den, installing a comfortable massage table and comfy sofa or armchairs for clients to relax in during sessions. Acoustic panels or soundproofing should also be installed for soundproofing as well as decor with neutral colours, natural textures and soothing lighting for relaxation purposes.
Bi-fold doors and windows that open wide to bring in nature are another popular feature in garden office designs, helping improve airflow, health, wellbeing and productivity. Color can play an integral part in shaping mood – experts suggest shades of green for balance and calmness, pale blues for energy, grey-beige for focus and productivity, peach or soft coral pink for creativity or inspiration and light yellow to help reduce distraction.
As a Relaxation Space
Having a Garden Office provides the ideal workspace to maintain separation between professional and personal lives at home, leading to better work-life balance and enriching daily living experience. But this doesn’t limit its use exclusively for professional purposes – our customers have found creative uses for them too!
If your hobby includes art, painting, sewing or crafting, a peaceful garden room can offer the ideal creative sanctuary close to home. A garden room should include comfortable seating for you to unwind after an enjoyable creative session as well as plenty of storage for craft supplies – providing a true creative escape just steps from home.
Relaxation spaces can be an effective way to reduce stress and enhance mental wellbeing for those suffering from anxiety or depression. Garden rooms can easily become yoga studios, meditation areas or therapy dens with low seating and plenty of cushions and rugs creating a soothing ambiance.
Studies show that choosing an effective colour scheme is essential to creating an inspiring working environment, with blues and greens serving to calm, focus, and concentrate, while peach pink and soft coral hues stimulate and inspire. A well-equipped Garden Office can also serve as an enjoyable reading space with comfortable seats, effective lighting systems, shelving for books, and seating for relaxing reading sessions.
Garden rooms can also be tailored to reflect your own distinct aesthetic, be it creating an inviting log cabin feel or choosing Scandinavian colors and materials for inspiration. Display travel memorabilia or favorite records to make the space more personal and inspiring.
Housebuilder and Developer magazine estimates that adding a garden room increases property values by 5% – making this addition worth its cost in terms of extra space, increased aesthetic appeal and financial returns when selling. Furthermore, unlike extensions which require planning permission approval processes to complete, Garden Offices can often be built quickly without hassles associated with installation processes.