More people than ever are now working from home, and garden offices are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to basic home working setups, particularly since COVID-19.
Advances in video calling technology and AI working software mean that there are more ways than ever to collaborate with colleagues, meet clients and carry out your work without leaving your own home.
By providing a dedicated space that is free from distractions, a garden office provides a great balance between the comfort of your home and the productivity of an office.
What is a Garden Office?
A garden office is a purpose-built, detached building, typically situated in the homeowner’s garden, where individuals can work from home while being free from the distractions of the main house.
Garden offices can vary greatly in size, style and design, with many being fully equipped with office storage, electrics, heating and high-speed internet to create an ideal working environment.
Providing a specific working area where people can separate home life from work life, garden offices offer a fantastic compromise between working from home and being at a traditional office. According to a study by the University of Exeter, individuals who worked in offices of their own design and choosing, including garden offices, reported a 32.7% increase in productivity.
So, not only are garden offices great for establishing work and home-life balance, but they are proven to also have a fantastic impact on productivity and overall job satisfaction.
What is a Garden Office Made of?
Garden offices are often made using durable, natural materials such as oak and other quality timbers, chosen for their strength and added character.
Whilst garden offices can be made from alternative materials such as softwood or uPVC, this isn’t generally recommended, as these materials can degrade over time, leading to reduced longevity, poor insulation, and expensive repairs.
The Benefits of a Garden Office
The main benefit of a garden office is the creation of a dedicated, distraction-free workspace that is separate from the rest of your home, helping you to achieve more and establish a better work/life balance.
Some benefits include:
1. A Clear Distinction Between Work and Home Life
A garden office creates a physical and psychological separation between your work and home life. This boundary makes it much easier to “switch off” at the end of the day, helping you to reduce the risk of burnout and feel more relaxed in your time off.
2. Savings On Travel Time and Money
With no lengthy daily commute, you can save many valuable hours each week and use your time in a more meaningful way. You’ll also save money on fuel costs, train fares and parking, making your garden office a very worthwhile long term investment.
3. Increased Productivity
A garden office offers a unique space that has been specifically designed for focus, away from the distractions of the main house. Studies by the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine show that natural light and a quiet environment can improve concentration and productivity by up to 15%, helping you to achieve more and gain a better sense of job satisfaction.
4. Increase Property Value
A well-built garden office can increase the value of your property by no less than 5%, making it a worthwhile investment for the future. Oak framed garden offices are particularly durable and can last a lifetime when properly installed and maintained.
5. Less Clutter Inside Your Home
By moving your workspace outside of your house and into a garden office, you can free up spare rooms, living areas and worktops, helping your home to feel more spacious, less cluttered and more organised. This can significantly reduce the stress that comes from having a messy house and limited space!
6. A Professional Setting for Video Meetings
Unlike typical video meetings that might display cluttered rooms or noisy backgrounds, a garden office provides a clean, private and quiet workspace. This allows you to present a professional image to both clients and colleagues.
7. Reduced Environmental Impact and Carbon Footprint
By cutting out daily commutes, a garden office significantly reduces fossil fuel use and your carbon footprint. Many garden offices can also be built with sustainable materials and renewable energy options, creating an even more eco-friendly workspace.
How Much is a Garden Office?
A Garden Office can vary in cost depending on the size, layout, construction quality and choice of structural materials. Other elements, such as insulation, glazing type, interior finishes, electrics and bespoke design choices, can all have a big impact on the overall cost.
When choosing your garden office design and provider, you should consider which elements you require, in order for it to be fully fit for your own use. Additional considerations should include groundwork requirements and planning permission, which can affect installation costs.
Compared to a home extension, an oak framed garden office can offer an appealing, cost-effective alternative. Oak framing is known for being durable, with a classic look that never goes out of style. Maintaining oak framed structures is very simple and requires little upkeep, making them a great long-term investment for those with busy lives.
Does a Garden Office Add Value?
Yes, garden offices are predicted to add no less than 5% value to a property when well-designed, well-maintained and with proper planning permission history. Good quality garden rooms or offices can add around 1.5x their value to a property, meaning they can be a great investment if you’re looking to increase the value of your house, without completing a full extension.
Due to the rise in the number of people working from home, many homebuyers will favour a house with a garden office over a house without. Even for those who won’t use it as an office space, having a well-built, versatile garden room can make a property much more attractive to potential buyers.
Not only do they increase the floor space of your property, but they can serve as a guest room, home gym, or summer house, helping your home appeal to a wide variety of buyers.
Do You Need Planning Permission for a Garden Office?
Many properties have permitted development rights, which allow certain changes to be made without needing formal approval. As local rules can vary, it’s always a good idea to check with your local planning authority before proceeding with your garden office build.
Flats, maisonettes, and listed buildings always require householder planning permission for external building works or alterations. Regardless of the property type, the proper avenues should be researched and followed to achieve your project goal.
Want to Learn More?
A well-built, oak framed garden office gives you an incredible, useful space that can help you be more productive, achieve greater job satisfaction, and increase the value of your home. It’s a fantastic alternative to a full extension or oak framed conservatory, and provides you with a workspace that’s designed specifically for you.
If you’re interested in how an oak framed garden office could change the way you work from home, please get in touch with our team!