A Garden Office – The Solution to Working from Home during the Pandemic

18.05.2020

Garden Office

Working from Home During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Big companies like Google, Facebook, and Twitter are perfect examples of how working from home can be an effective way to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. According to a recent article published by The Telegraph, we might as well get used to working from home because this will soon be the new normal. With the rampant spread of the coronavirus, we’ve all been witnesses to major changes in how we work, what a normal work schedule looks like, and how to conduct business safely.

The BBC suggests that the coronavirus could affect up to 20% of the active workforce. So it’s only natural for companies and employees to do everything they can to prevent spreading the virus at work.

Even employees who are not infected might have to spend a lot of time in self-isolation. This means that millions of people worldwide will have to get used to working from home. If you happen to be in this situation, you are probably wondering how to organize your home to accommodate your current work schedule.

Getting Ready to Work from Home

There are several practical steps that you need to consider before you can start working from home. Even if this situation is only temporary, you will still have to invest some time and effort into organizing your space.

First and foremost, make sure that you have everything you need (bookmarks, passwords, and other essential work documents) saved to the cloud. You should also make a list of all the software that you will need on your laptop or home PC and what security protocols you’ll need to install.

If you work from home and you want to be as productive as you normally are, it’s very important to have a dedicated workspace. The ideal home office should be distraction-free and separate from your living room and bedroom. People need to walk away from their workspace at the end of the day. That makes them feel like they accomplished something and that their daily routine is complete. If you don’t have an extra room in your house, you can buy a log cabin. Over the last few years, a lot of freelancers have chosen to turn their log cabins into a home office.

Another important aspect that you need to consider is how you will communicate with your coworkers. Most companies use sharing platforms like Slack, Google Docs, Skype, etc. If you want your video conferences to be perfect, you might have to invest in some additional equipment. For people who work remotely, daily communication is crucial and it’s what keeps the team motivated and connected.

Are You Thinking of Becoming a Freelancer?

Working from home is great and we’ve supported this type of work long before the coronavirus pandemics was a thing. So, if you are currently considering working from home permanently, we have a long term solution for you.

During the pandemics, a lot of people had the opportunity to see if working from home is a viable option for them in the future. Some of them might even decide to make it a permanent thing. A study conducted by the Office of National Statistics shows that in the UK, in 2019, the number of people who decided to work from home has increased by almost a quarter of a million. Some researchers think that these numbers will see a huge increase due to the coronavirus situation.

What Are the Main Benefits of Working from Home?

The most obvious benefits are: not having to waste time in traffic, eating home-cooked meals every day instead of packed lunches, and not dealing with extortionate business rates. Instead, by working from the comfort of your home, you’ll be able to control your schedule more. You will save time, money, and effort.

Additionally, office politics will be a thing of the past and so will the constant arguments that you used to have with your coworkers regarding the office temperature.

A lot of remote workers admit that because they don’t have to spend time in traffic, they get to sleep more and they feel like they have at least one extra hour to spare each day. And they also save money on gas.

A recent article published by Yahoo Finance reveals that over 80% of people who work from home are less stressed than people who work in an office. And those who have pets are even more content and relaxed.

The Advantages of Getting a Log Cabin and Making It Your Home Office

If you work from home, you already know how difficult separating your family life and your work life can be. Having kids makes it very difficult to be organized and focused. If your desk is in the living room, you are constantly surrounded by noise and chaos and if the kitchen table is your desk, then you probably spilled stuff all over your papers several times.

A garden office will make it easier for you to set some much-needed boundaries between home and work. You’ll be less distracted, your family will be able to watch TV and listen to music, and your paperwork will be safe.

Furthermore, you can decorate your garden office in a way that will make you more productive and comfortable. You can choose the colors that make you feel good and you can finally wear comfortable clothes in the office.

Now that you are convinced, there are a few more steps that will seal the deal.

The good news is that we are here to offer valuable advice and to make things easier for you.

When it comes to switching things up and making a major change such as working from home, taking the first step is the most difficult part.

So what should you do first? What do you need to buy and what products are best for you?

As mentioned above, a quiet and comfortable workspace is extremely important and a log cabin is the best option available on the market.

How to Choose a Log Cabin that Makes a Perfect Garden Office?

What should you choose between a summer house, a shed, or a log cabin? When it comes to garden offices, anything goes. It all depends on your preferences and needs.

Option 1 – Sheds

Sheds are usually meant to provide extra storage space for tools and gardening equipment. The items kept in a shed are normally pretty durable and can be kept in damp air and extreme temperatures. Most sheds are equipped with 12mm thick cladding and do not provide sufficient insulation that you’d normally need for a garden office.

But, if you choose a tongue and groove shed, which is better insulated and quite weather resilient, you might be able to adapt this structure and turn it into an office space. But keep in mind that you might have to add insulation and air conditioning or heating systems, depending on your climate.

To sum up, sheds aren’t a popular choice for garden offices, but they can be adapted if they are the only option available.

Option 2 – Summer Houses

Summer houses make perfect garden offices. Just imagine how awesome it would be to have your own private office in a Lucas E Contemporary Garden Log Cabin. The modern design and attractive features make it a very popular choice among freelancers and occasional remote workers.

The Summerhouse24 log cabins are designed to fit the needs of the modern worker and they are equipped with 44mm cladding. You might need additional insulation and heating systems if you want to use it in extremely cold weather, but overall, it’s a wise choice.

Summer houses have another great advantage. They are extremely versatile. If you decide that you don’t need a garden office anymore, you can easily transform them into hobby rooms, gyms, guest houses, and even Airbnb rental units.

Option 3 – Log Cabins

In general, log cabins are designed to have many functions and to be more insulated than summer houses. Sometimes summer houses and log cabins have similar features and are the same in terms of durability, insulation, and comfort.

Log cabins come in a wide range of shapes and sizes and you can choose the one that appeals to you the most. Because they are sturdier, log cabins can also be more expensive. If you are looking for a long-term solution, then you should consider investing in a log cabin.

When buying a log cabin, it’s very important to pay attention to the thickness of the walls. Read on to learn more about this feature.

How to Choose the Perfect Wall Thickness for Your Garden Office?

Summer houses and sheds are normally measured by cladding thickness. Log cabins, however, have a different structure and their most important feature is the wall thickness that can be anywhere between 28mm and 70mm.

Any garden structure, be it summer house or log cabin that has 44mm cladding or more can be used as a home office year-round. It is important to remember that thicker walls make the structure more insulated. High temperatures in summer and cold ones in winter can be extremely uncomfortable if you choose to build a home office in a structure that has thin cladding.

How to Choose the Size of Your Garden Office?

The biggest determiner of what size your garden office should be is the amount of space that you have available in your garden. The next important aspect is your budget. The prices of log cabins vary from £4,775.00 for a small structure (such as our Mini Garden Office 1) to £14,500.00 for a large one (our Hansa II Large Garden Office).

Before you make the final decision, you should also consider the type of work that you are going to do in your office space. If you spend your whole workday in front of your computer, you’ll only need space to accommodate a desk, a chair, and a few office gadgets. But, if your work is more complex and you also need to store tools or files, you are going to need a more spacious room.

Some freelancers and remote workers need to have meetings. If you think you need to meet with your clients in person, make sure you have enough space for a table and a few chairs.

Small Garden Office

The smallest garden office that you’ll find is our Noah cabin – 3×3. If you don’t have a lot of space and you want a garden room with a great view of the whole garden, this small structure is a perfect choice. You will have enough room for a desk, a chair, and even a couch and a few other gadgets.

Medium Garden Office

If a small garden office isn’t spacious enough, and you need something more comfortable but also quite affordable, then you should choose a medium garden office. The Lucas E contemporary garden log cabin is a great example of a medium garden office. With sliding doors and a large veranda, this log cabin is perfect for meeting clients or for taking a much-deserved coffee break.

Large Garden Office

If you plan on working from home permanently and you need a lot of space, you should consider investing in a large garden office. You can choose the Hansa Studio XXL. This spacious and modern log cabin is perfect if you want to use your office year-round. Equipped with 70mm-thick walls, this garden office will be perfect regardless of the weather.

A garden building for parking

A lot of people forget about this very important detail. If you have a garden office, you might also need a place to park your car. There are many log cabins on the market that make perfect garages such as the Arthur Wooden Carport.

Choosing a Garden Office that Fits Your Style

If you like buildings that have a traditional feel, you should choose the Eva B Garden Room, Carol A, or the Weekend Garden Log Cabin.

If you like modern buildings with a contemporary feel, you should opt for Lucas C Contemporary Garden Room, Jacob E, or Lucas D.

Garden Office Insurance and Planning Permission

Depending on the type of work that you are planning to do in your garden office, you might need insurance. Will you meet clients in your garden office? If the answer is yes then you might want to look into public liability insurance. Although this type of insurance is generally not compulsory, it can be very helpful and protect you from unpleasant situations such as accidents that happen when someone visits your business premises.

All in all, it would be wise to discuss with an insurance company and ask about your options. Depending on their offer, you can then check in with other specialists and learn what the safest and least expensive option is.

When it comes to sheds and summer houses, planning permission is usually not needed. But, if the structure is taller than 2.5 meters and if it is very close to the garden boundaries, the local laws and regulations might vary. With that in mind, our advice is simple. If you want to avoid any issues, make some inquiries with the planning department of your local council.

Adding the Final Touches to Your Garden Office

Now that you know everything about log cabins and what are the first steps towards creating a perfect garden office, you only need to sort out the final touches. Regardless of whether your budget allows for a small office or a large one, you should always put some money aside for hiring an electrician. You will need specialized help to run some cables for your lights, your computer, your printer, etc.

You can also consider opting for solar power. This is an eco-friendly solution that will save you a lot of money in the long run. The recent technological advancements have made solar power much more reliable than it used to be.

And don’t forget about the internet. You will most certainly need wifi, so make sure you buy some boosters to ensure that you have a good internet connection in your garden office.

Having a Good Temperature in the Garden Office

If you plan on using your garden office year-round, you’ll have to invest in air conditioning units or heaters. These appliances can also be quite expensive, so make sure to include them in your budget.

Some of the most popular heating options for garden offices are the electric heaters and the portable gas heaters. But, you can also install floor heating, which is by far the most modern and comfortable option.

Buying Office Furniture

Shopping for office furniture and decorating the space is probably the most entertaining part of this whole process. What’s awesome about a home office is the fact that you can decorate it as you please. Your office should be a place where you can be creative, focused, and productive, so make sure you buy a comfortable chair, high-quality furniture, and nice decorations. And that’s pretty much it! You now know everything about setting up a home office in a shed, a summer house, or a log cabin.

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