Working from home isn’t as easy as you may think.
Despite more people around the UK setting up a home office each year, many
struggle to create an appropriate or suitable professional environment. As an
increasing number of employers begin offering remote roles while companies
close and downsize their current office spaces, creating home offices within
private residences is likely to become essential. Job listings are already
beginning to request professional work
environment on their listings, so as to ensure video conferences aren’t
taking place on the sofa.
If you see your remote working position as long term
and want to create a dedicated workspace that will allow you to operate to
professional standards, then your garden is likely to be the most appropriate
space to create a dedicate room. Annexes or summer houses, even log cabins nestled by the hedge, are
each potentially perfect spaces for a home office. They can be bought and built
affordably and simply, creating a private space separate from your home.
Can I Build It?
There are a few criteria to keep in mind and some
people are initial concern about planning regulations. Prosing you establish
only a single floor and a building
that does not surpass 2.5 metres you
should not need to seek planning permission. Most catalogue structures will
alert you if they would not fit into nationwide regulations, however, if you
are concerned, your local council’s website should offer more information.
Before considering your garden office, consider how it
will be used. Promising your outdoor office is solely for personal use, then
there would be little to no issue about it becoming your permanent workplace.
If, however, you intend to use the building more commercially, inviting clients
and employees, then you may risk upsetting neighbours or become classified as a
business site instead of a residential building.
How Should I
Design It
Designing an office space to be established in your
garden should prompt you to consider amenities and aspects such as light, heat, and comfort. These are the key factors alongside basic practical
requirements, such as storage and internet connection. Your professional role
will dictate the capacity of these.
If the office is not well lit, then you’ll run the
risk of larger energy bills as you rely on indoor lighting. Additionally, if
you do not take into account the direction of the sun, you may end up in the
shade for a large portion of the day or, and perhaps worse, the direct sunshine
can create glare on your screen. If you do require electrical lighting, perhaps
working at night, then consider the long term investment of solar panels, which
can reduce your overhead costs.
A common concern of outdoor structures is their insulation.
During the colder months and without the proper construction, outdoor
structures can become quickly cold. Or, as many office workers will know, a
desk at the window during the summertime can become unbearably hot. Both
situations can be easily avoided with a little foresight.
Finally, be sure to create an environment that brings
you pleasure. Quietness and good ventilation are important, as are natural
light, plants, books and any other asset that might promote your wellbeing.
Your comfort within your home office will be directly reflected in your mood
and productivity. Home offices are a great opportunity to remedy the issues
that many employees experience within central offices. As people begin to
customise their home workplace, maintaining their own hours and arrangements,
productivity and happiness are certainly going to improve, solidifying remote
working as more than just a temporary trend.
