What is a Small Garden Home Office? (WORKING FROM HOME?)

Ditch the daily commute and work from home with a small garden home office!

A Small Garden Home Office (often referred to as shoffice) is a workspace that is located in your back garden. The building can be a converted shed, garage, or even a yurt. The important thing is that it is separate from your house so that you can have some peace and quiet while you work.

Garden offices have become extremely popular in recent years as they provide the perfect solution for those who want to escape the distractions of working from home.

They are also great for remote office workers as they offer a comfortable, secure, and professional workspace.

Not only are garden offices suitable for those who want to work from home, but they are also perfect for small businesses.

In fact, many small businesses are run entirely from garden offices. Garden offices offer many benefits, such as being able to offset the cost against tax.

Types of Small Garden Offices

There are various types of garden offices, depending on what kind of work you do and what your budget is.

Here are some of the most popular types:

• Converted garage.
• DIY garden office.
• Garden office pod.
• Garden room.
• Log cabin.
• Shed office.
• Summer house.
• Yurt

Converted garage

These were made famous back in the 80s when people started working from home. If you have an unused garage, then this is a great option for you. You can either do the DIY conversion yourself or hire a self-build contractor to do it for you.

The garages that were prime for conversion were ones attached to the side of the house. This made it easy to add an electrical connection and plumbing without having to do too much work.

If you live in a colder climate, then you will need to insulate the garage properly so that you can use it year-round.

The main advantage of a converted garage is that it is usually cheaper than other types of garden offices since the basic structure is already there.

Related: What is a Garden Office Pod? (LUXURY SHED?)

DIY garden office

If you are handy and have some basic carpentry skills, then you can build your own garden office. This is a great option if you want to save money and have complete control over the design.

There are various plans available online that you can use as a starting point. Or you can come up with your own design. Just make sure that the office is big enough for you to work comfortably and has enough light.

If you go this route, then it is important to get the proper permits before starting construction. This is especially true if you plan on adding electricity or plumbing to the office.

Garden office pod

A garden office pod is a type of garden office that is becoming increasingly popular. It is basically a prefabricated office that can be delivered to your home and installed in your garden.

Pods come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Some are small enough for one person, while others are large enough to accommodate a team of workers.

The main advantage of a garden pod is that it can be installed relatively quickly and easily. You also don’t need to get any permits since the pod is considered to be a temporary structure.

Pods are more expensive than other types of garden offices, but they offer a lot of flexibility in terms of design and layout.

Garden room

A garden room is a more permanent type of garden office. It is usually built from scratch or converted from an existing structure, such as a shed.

The advantage of a garden room is that it can be custom-designed to your specific needs. You can also add amenities such as electricity, plumbing, and insulation so that you can use it year-round.

The downside of a garden room is that it is the most expensive option and takes the longest to build.

Log cabin

A log cabin is a type of garden office that has become popular in recent years. It is basically a small house that is built from logs, which gives it a rustic look.

The advantage of a log cabin is that it can be used as a guest house, office, or even a home gym. They are also relatively easy to build since the logs can be precut in size.

The downside of a log cabin is that they are not as energy-efficient as other types of garden offices.

Shed office

A shed office is a type of garden office that is built from an existing shed. This is a great option if you already have a shed in your backyard and you want to convert it into an office.

The main advantage of a shed office is that it is usually the cheapest option since you are reusing an existing structure.

The downside of a shed office is that it is often the smallest type of garden office, which can make it cramped and uncomfortable to work in.

Related: Ways To Heat A Shed Or Summerhouse Without Using Electricity

Summer house

A summer house is a type of garden office that is designed for use in the summer months. It is usually a small structure, such as a cabin, that is built in the garden.

The advantage of a summer house is that it can be a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. They are also relatively easy to build since they don’t need to be insulated.

The downside of a summer house is that they are only suitable for use in the warmer months. They also need to be properly ventilated to prevent the build-up of heat and humidity.

Yurt

Likely the least popular option, a yurt is a type of garden office that is built from a circular frame of logs and covered with felt or canvas.

The advantage of a yurt is that it can be easily disassembled and moved to another location. They are also relatively cheap to build.

The downside of a yurt is that they are not very durable and can be damaged easily by strong winds.

Where Did the Idea Come From?

The idea for a garden home office (also called a garden pod) came from the need for a quiet space to work away from the house.

Traditionally, people used to work from their garden shed, conservatory, or even summer room/house, but they found that these spaces were either inconvenient or were too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer.

They needed a space that was insulated so that they could control the temperature, and that was big enough to fit all of their work equipment.

They really gained popularity during the Covid lockdowns as people were forced to work from home and needed a dedicated space to do so.

The fact that you could take a conference call from the peace and quiet of your own garden was a huge selling point for many people!

Related: Home Garden Office Vs A Conservatory Home Office

How Are They Different From a Summerhouse or Log Cabin?

A summer house is a great option if you want a space to relax during the summer months. They are usually not insulated, so they can get quite hot or cold depending on the weather.

A log cabin is a more substantial building that can be used all year round. They are made from logs which makes them very sturdy, and they are usually insulated.

A garden home office is somewhere in between a summerhouse and a log cabin. They are usually made from wood, but they can also be made from other materials such as steel or PVC.

They are insulated so that you can control the temperature, and they have all the amenities that you need to work comfortably.

The other difference is the fact that they are normally connected to the mains electricity so that you can have all the mod cons such as a kettle, fridge, microwave and of course, a computer and Wi-Fi.

Can Be Used All Year Round

The fact that these Garden Home Offices are purpose-built and insulated means that they can be used all year round, no matter what the weather is doing outside.

This makes them the perfect space to work from, as you don’t have to worry about the temperature inside being too hot or too cold.

They also tend to be a lot more secure than working from your house as they usually have locks and security systems in place.

This gives you the peace of mind that your belongings are safe while you are working.

What Are The Other Uses?

Garden home offices can be used for a variety of purposes. Some people use them as an extra room for guests, a gym, a studio, a playroom for the kids, or even a man cave!

They are also a great option if you work from home and need a quiet space to concentrate.

What Amenities Do They Have?

Garden home offices usually have all the same amenities as a regular office. This includes a desk, chair, computer, Wi-Fi, and so on.

Some of the more luxurious garden home offices will also have a toilet, shower, and kitchenette.

Since most of them are bespoke, you can pretty much add any amenity that you want or need.

How Much Do They Cost?

The price of a garden home office depends on the size, materials, and amenities that you choose. They can range in price from a few thousand pounds to tens of thousands of pounds.

Interior Design and Ideas

With the stunning growth in popularity for Garden Home Offices, we are now seeing some amazing designs and ideas coming to the market.

There are so many different ways that you can style and furnish your space, and the sky is really the limit when it comes to creativity.

Some people like to keep their space minimalist and clean, while others prefer a more cozy and homely feel.

It really depends on your personal preference, and there is no right or wrong way to do it.

FAQs

In Summary

So, what is the best type of garden office for you? It really depends on your needs and budget. If you want a permanent structure that is custom-designed, then a garden room is the way to go.

If you want a cheaper option that can be installed quickly, then a converted shed might be the right choice. And if you want something that can be easily moved, then a yurt could be a good option.

Whichever type you choose, make sure to do your research so that you get the best garden office for your needs.