A survey by the Economic and Social Research Institute has shown that between 2010 and 2015 work stress doubled in Ireland. It’s no wonder that people are looking at ways of improving their work-life balance. Working from home is one way to do this.
Who says you have to commute long hours? Here’s how to plan a garden office that will help you stay productive, inspired, and excited to work from home.
The Joys of a Garden Office Log Cabin
Working from home has so many advantages you’ll wish you had done it years ago. A home office can be more easily constructed than a conventional building. The options range from DIY builds to full installation. There are even next day delivering options.
Working from home can mean you make big savings in travel costs as well as time. You step out of your home and into your office. Your working day is shorter, and you don’t have a stressful commute either.
You get to spend that extra time in any way that enhances your life. Spend more time with your family or on other interests. Reduce your stress, increase your wellbeing and be more productive.
All of this comes at the same time as you reduce your environmental impact. With a garden office built from sustainable materials and reduced travel, your carbon footprint is reduced. It’s good to know that a better quality of life now will also benefit the planet.
Check Planning Permission Requirements
Whatever your dream garden office looks like, you do need to consider whether there are planning implications. In Ireland, if your garden office area is under 25 square metres and does not exceed 3.9 metres high and is to the side or rear of your house, it won’t need planning permission. Do check local laws and make sure no regulations have changed.
You are responsible for complying with planning regulations. This is not something you can leave to your contractor.
Cost and Quality
Any construction project has to consider a balance between cost and quality. A good solution is a Loghouse log cabin. This combines simple and therefore lower cost construction with flexibility to meet any need.
The lifespan of a quality log cabin is probably longer than you imagine. Using the right materials and with professional construction, a log cabin can last two to three generations. This makes it not only a reliable home office but an asset that adds to the value of your home.
With proper treatment and maintenance, a log cabin will last you for many productive years.
How Big?
When planning your home office, one of the first things to do is decide how much space you will need. You will need space for a desk and chair, but will you also need some space for storage or holding meetings.
A garden office can be a comfortable as well as productive space. Would it be useful to have a toilet and plumbing so you can be completely independent of your home? Add these requirements to your plans.
Security
Consider your security needs. Your garden office might house valuable equipment such as computers, so you should consider how best to protect them.
Doors and windows should have locks that meet your insurers’ requirements. Fitting locks is fine, but you must use them too. Have a security routine whenever you leave your garden office to keep your stuff safe.
A PIR light and alarm can raise the alarm if there is an intruder. Valuable equipment can be kept in secure casings and fastened to the floor or walls. A simple gravel path that makes a noise can be a deterrent to unwanted intruders.
Linking Indoor and Outdoor Space
The aesthetics of your workplace are important. With a garden office, you have the opportunity to combine natural beauty with design. Make the most of the relationship between the garden and your workspace.
When the weather is fine, you may want to open doors and windows. Fresh air and a feeling of space can be achieved by selecting a garden office design that has wide-opening doors and windows.
Consider creating an inside-outside feel with a covered porch you can sit under. Use large double-glazed windows and doors to maximise natural light without compromising too much on heat retention.
Heating and Insulation
A garden office has to be comfortable throughout the year. Warm weather and cold weather can be catered for with suitable ventilation and heating. A log cabin can be fitted with any conventional form of heating.
Insulation is the key to retaining heat in winter. A log cabin retains 40% more heat than brick or block constructed homes. Thicker walls can also be specified for greater heat and sound insulation.
Work-Life Balance
There’s more to life than work. Once you have installed your garden office, you may find that it adds more to your home and garden than just office space. It can be a flexible addition to your home.
You can use an all-season garden office for much more than a workplace. How about a room for hobbies or an extra guest room? It can even be adapted to be a man cave with a bar, TV, and gaming equipment.
Try to anticipate what else you might use the room for and incorporate the necessary facilities. A bar area, extra electricity supply, and plumbing are all easier to install at the time of construction rather than later.
Make Plans
A garden office may be a dream, but to make it a reality with Loghouse, you need to plan. Draw sketches and try out ideas. Think ahead more broadly and you’ll enjoy it more.
Talk to the garden office log cabin experts here.
Have you read our article: Temporary Residential Log Cabin
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