It’s not always ideal to have to share space, especially if you have young children running around your feet when you need to work.  I’m talking from experience as my office space was shared with the playroom for my children.  We were very lucky to have the space for me to fit a desk into, but if I needed to work when the children were home then it became very difficult. 

Luckily, we've now had the opportunity to build our very own garden office.  Whilst we had room within our home to create a dedicated workspace we wanted something separate from the hustle and bustle of the busy family home.

In this blog post, I am going to explore the pros and cons of building a garden room office.

Benefits of a garden room office

In this next section, I'm going to share the benefits of having a dedicated workspace in your garden.

Less hassle than an extension

Whilst an extension might be the first obvious choice, they come with a lot more upheaval than garden rooms do.  Not only do you need suitable space on your existing property for an extension, but you’ll need foundations dug, planning permission, building regulations and the building itself could take weeks, as well as be very costly. 

Plus you’ll have all that noise, dust and inconvenience right where you are living and working.  It might not be ideal. 

In comparison, a garden room might be built away from the house disrupting your actual home very little.  A build can take as little as two weeks.  Planning laws are more relaxed and many garden offices will fall under permitted development meaning you won’t need to gain permission so long as it’s less than 2.5 metres high and takes up no more than 50% of the back garden.

Cost is another consideration that falls under this heading.  An extension will cost a minimum of £15,000 due to the complex construction methods used.  Garden offices will cost a fraction of this.  Whilst prices will start from around the £3,000 mark, our fully insulated 4m x 3m garden office costs just under £6,000. (Costs based on a DIY build, materials only in 2022.)

Enjoy the summer weather

There’s nothing worse than being cooped up in an office all day long when the weather is glorious outdoors.  A garden office with open bi-folding doors, or even just open French doors, will make you feel more connected to your garden and outdoor space and less like you are trapped in a stuffy office.

Garden offices tend to have plenty of windows and doors that let light flood into the space.  This presents a feeling of being outdoors which can be great for the body and mind, especially when you are spending extended periods in front of a screen.

Furnishing the office of your dreams

Your garden room can be decorated however you please.  Most office spaces will benefit from suitable office desking and chairs but you also have the option to add more.  Depending on the size and planned use of the space you might want to add a sofa, gym equipment or a reading nook.

Some might use this space for a therapy or treatment room where customers visit.  This then requires more specialised furniture to suit the specific industry.  Salons, massage, hairdressing and other occupations can all be hosted in a garden office.

We decided to make our garden room a multi-purpose space.  Somewhere to work, relax and exercise which is why we have a large desk, two-seater sofa and a treadmill.  It's the perfect spot to escape the busy household life.

We chose to have the walls professionally plastered and could have done the same with the ceiling, but we decided to keep a natural theme with strips of wood instead.  We added a thermal underlay for the flooring to help soundproof and retain heat in the outdoor office, with engineered wood flooring on top.  By adding high-quality flooring and plastering the walls, it really does create a 'real' office that feels like a room of the house and not just a garden shed!

No need to take up valuable space inside

One of the greatest benefits is not having to sacrifice space inside the home for a home office.  You can keep your home exactly as it is and create another room outdoors instead.  Of course, there are many genius solutions to create a small home office if you have to create something inside the home, but if you have the funds and garden space then a garden office is the perfect solution.

30-second commute

Of course, some people have absolutely no room in the house for a suitable workspace, so instead will hire an office space or frequent cafes and Wi-Fi spots.  Not only can this begin to add up in rental fees and daily coffee expenses, but there is also the cost and time needed to travel to a different location.  By investing in a garden room as an office you’ll have a 30-second commute, no rent to pay and much cheaper hot drinks!

Have it your way

You can decorate your office with the decor you want and love.  You can personalise the space and get away from the dull grey office walls and cubicles that lack any consideration for design and comfort.  What's more, you no longer have to battle and debate with coworkers over the air conditioning and temperature settings.  Just have it your way.

Better work-life balance

One of the trickiest parts of working from home is being able to separate work and life.  It’s possible to work all the time and you can never leave work at work because you’re always technically at work!  It’s a dilemma!

By creating a garden office that can be locked shut and forgotten about when you are back in your home, you can create a real sense of division and keep your home simply as your home.  Having an office away from the house will create a better work-life balance and a clear mental separation.

Away from distractions

As well as creating a better work-life balance, it will also help to create a more productive work environment too.  As much as it’s tricky to switch off from work if you work at home, it’s equally as challenging to switch off from the housework when you are meant to be working!  Being at home all day means you are surrounded by chores that need doing and it can be hard to let them go when they are right there in front of you. 

Creating a garden office gives a space that is for work only and allows the mind to switch off from any other distractions.  It also means there is a place to work that is away from partners and children to allow for greater concentration if work needs to be completed when the family are at home.

Save money in the long run

The initial upfront costs of a garden office might seem quite high for some but it works out much cheaper in the long run.  On average, hiring office space in the UK can cost around £520 per person per month in a dedicated space or £270 per month in a coworking space.  This cost can quickly add up over time.  Sometimes it's better to invest in your own property and build a garden office.  You could pay for a £6,000 garden office in less than a year at the same price as a dedicated workspace.

Are garden rooms a good investment?  Simply put, yes they are as you're adding value to your property and the overall build cost will pay for itself within 1-2 years from the money saved in rent.  There are many great ways to use a garden room such as an office, but if you come to sell your house, the new owners can use the room however they please, as an extension of their living space if they don't need an office.

It's an eco-friendly option

No commute equals a lower carbon footprint and when you invest in an insulated garden office your energy bills will be lower than in an air-conditioned office.  Many garden offices will also be available with sustainable or recycled materials in mind so the environmental construction impact should be minimal.

Disadvantages of building a garden room office

There are plenty of benefits mentioned here but I'd like this to be an unbiased article.  Therefore I should take about some of the cons to building an office in your garden.  Whilst the pros outweigh the cons, let's quickly take a look at what might not be so good about your own garden office.

Upfront costs

Garden buildings can be expensive.  Yes, you can keep the construction costs down but you'll need your building to be fit for purpose.  You'll need electricity, a solid watertight construction, insulation, lighting and furniture which can all add up.  If you work in a specific sector and need specialist equipment this can also add up.  Yes, you'll save money in the long run but the initial upfront costs are quite high.

You should also check whether you need permission to run your business from home, as it's not suitable for some industries and you don't want to waste money building a workspace if your neighbours complain.

Heating and cooling

Heating and cooling your office needs to be a primary consideration.  If you are spending a lot of time there you want to be comfortable.  Electric heating is expensive, especially in the height of winter when temperatures can drop to below freezing. 

Cooling the office can also be a challenge during heat waves.  Luckily we don't get many of these in the UK but air conditioning units can be a sensible option for times like this.  We got away with a desk fan this summer with the windows open.  

Ensuring your office is properly insulated should be high on the agenda during construction.  The thicker the insulation the better the protection.  We opted for a 25mm thick insulation board in our office which is OK but I would recommend getting 50mm or even 100mm where possible.  Insulation will not only keep the heat in during winter, but during the summer it will also keep the heat out.

You're still at home!

Whilst you have a bit of separation from home life, it's not completely gone.  Interruptions will still occur in the form of children, deliveries, husbands and wives, so you don't have that 100% escape.  If you're anything like me, you'll also have the looming thought of washing up, laundry and general household cleaning playing on your mind. Sometimes you just need to get out and completely away from home life and distractions!

Conclusion on the benefits of a garden room office

There are so many benefits a garden office can bring, from a more productive work day to a better work-life balance.  Yes, you'll need that up-front investment but think about the potential long-term savings.  You won't be completely separate from your household and interruptions but if you can manage these carefully, you'll have a highly productive environment and privacy in the garden where you can focus on your daily task.

 

Related blog posts

Setting up a successful business space from your home

How to set up the perfect home office

Why adding a garden room is a great investment

 

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