Struggling to be productive while working from home?
22% of Americans work remotely at least some of the time these days. But did you know the biggest struggle isn’t the work itself… It’s finding a space to actually get the work done.
Why?
Kitchen tables, desk squished into corners, and spare rooms get old fast.
Constant distractions from household activities and other people.
Noise from family members, laundry machines and other household equipment never lets up.
Video conferences get interrupted by walking pets, spouses and kids.
Sound familiar?
What if there was a better way? More and more remote workers are turning to garden rooms and garden offices as the solution to home office problems.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- Why Remote Workers are having such a difficult time setting up a home office
- The garden room solution to working remotely
- Key features to consider when getting a garden office built
- Tips for designing the perfect office space
Why Remote Workers Are Struggling With Home Office Setups
Here’s a fact you probably don’t need me to share.
Working from home is harder than you thought. Commuting less is great. Flexibility is amazing. But carving out a functional workspace in your own house? Turns out that’s a big challenge.
For most people, the home office is a room they need to share with others in the house.
Kids need space to play, spouses need the dining table cleared for dinner, and so on.
Research has found remote workers can be 13% more productive than office workers. But only if they have a space set up specifically for work.
But most people don’t have an office set up in their house.
They don’t even have a spare room they can claim as their own.
Instead, the kitchen table, desk pushed into a corner or spare bedroom it is. But if you share a space with family and roommates, it’s super difficult to establish boundaries.
Your workspace needs to be your workspace. Full stop.
Working in someone else’s kitchen is just as distracting for you, as when your work surface is invaded by others.
Garden rooms and garden offices create that separation. They provide a space separate to your home but close enough to the house to keep things convenient.
You get the dedicated workspace you need without disrupting the shared spaces in your house.
The garden room solution that’s changing the remote work game
The number of garden rooms and garden offices being built is soaring.
Builders report huge spikes in demand. Property owners are beginning to see how building a well-built garden room can solve their home office problems.
The key to a successful garden room as an office is in the separation. It needs to be close enough to the house to make access easy, but far enough away that household distractions are avoided.
It also needs to have the features you need to actually make it productive.
A garden office is like going to the office when you “go to work” each day, but are really at home when you leave it at the end of the day.
Top features that make garden offices work so well
The great thing about garden offices is they let you customize the space to meet your work needs.
Here are some features to consider in the build process.
Make sure your garden office has:
Good insulation and climate control
If you’re going to spend any time in your garden office, it has to be comfortable.
Install insulation in the walls, ceiling, and floors.
Include heating in winter and air conditioning in summer.
Bad temperature conditions are the quickest way to lose productivity.
Reliable power and internet
You can’t work effectively if you don’t have electricity and a reliable internet connection.
Install enough dedicated power points around the office to cater for your computer, monitors, lighting, phone, and any other equipment.
Don’t rely on WiFi from the house. Consider installing a dedicated line. Alternatively, ensure your office location gets excellent, stable coverage before choosing the build location.
Lighting design
Abundant natural light is fantastic for productivity. So use large windows to bring light in and make sure the room is well-ventilated.
But you also need artificial light. Especially if you work early or late, or when the weather doesn’t allow much natural light.
Install general overhead lighting and desk or task lighting for when you’re at your desk.
Soundproofing
One of the main reasons remote workers like garden offices is they’re separate to the house.
The separation is only effective if your garden office blocks out sounds from inside the house and vice versa.
A quality garden room includes sound insulation in the walls and doors. It’s a great benefit to both you and the people you live with.
Flooring
Get a flooring material that’s comfortable and will wear well. Carpet, engineered timber, and luxury vinyl all work well.
Don’t skimp. You’re going to spend hours in this space each day. Make sure it’s comfortable to work in and easy to clean.
Designing your perfect productive space
Ok, now you have a nice garden office built… It’s time to make the most of the space and set it up for optimal productivity.
Focus on ergonomics. You need a quality desk and chair. Invest in pieces that are designed to be comfortable and help you maintain good posture.
Height is important. Your monitor should be at eye level. Place your keyboard and mouse so your arms are at a 90-degree angle at the elbow.
Don’t be lazy about ergonomics. The pain sets in, and before you know it you’re distracted.
Storage and organization is next. Built-in shelving and cabinets keeps files and equipment out of the way and organized. Get power and data cable management systems to tidy things up too.
Make the space your own. Some artwork on the wall, a plant or two on the desk help make it feel less like a dull office space and more like somewhere you want to be.
Factor in your work style. If you’re on a lot of video calls, set them up to look presentable and include good lighting. If you need to spread things out, you might want to go bigger on the desk.
Garden offices are best when they’re customized to how you work best, not just how offices are “supposed” to be.
Wrapping up
Garden rooms and offices are the way of the future for remote workers who value their productivity.
Carving out space in busy shared houses is difficult. Boundaries blur between home life and work life.
A garden room provides separation. You get your own office without disturbing others in your home.
It’s the perfect solution for remote workers to take their working arrangements to the next level.
