Using a Shed as a Garden Office
Some of us would live in our gardens if we could. To be
surrounded by the lush beauty of nature and growing things, the
soothing sounds of the wind rustling leaves, the buzzing of bees
and the sweet trill of the birds is the ultimate in luxury - but
it's impractical for most of us. What's not impractical, though,
is using a garden
shed as a garden
office to leave at least some of the stresses of every day
work behind.
If you work from home, you know how important having your own
space for an office is. It may mean taking over a spare bedroom
for your desk and computer, or refinishing a basement room to
take you out of the hustle and bustle of the family. Even if you
live alone, being 'in the office' adds a psychological nudge
that makes you feel like you're at 'work' rather than lounging
around the house and subject to distraction. More and more,
those who work at home are opting to outfit a garden shed and
using it as a garden office.
So popular an option is using a shed as a garden office, that
the BBC has reported on it in their online Magazine. According
to correspondent Giles Wilson, using a shed as a garden office
is a high-priced luxury conversion - but we have our doubts. For
the average work-at-home business mom or pop, managing a web
site, or selling out of their homes, high end items like 36
power outlets and a full security system aren't necessary.
Instead, one could turn a shed into a garden office for far less
money - and still enjoy all the benefits of using a shed as a
garden office.
First, consider your needs. Do you already have a garden shed?
In the house where I grew up, the garden shed was a magical
little haven that exactly matched our house in color and style -
a tiny little room just the right size to fit a desk and chair
and a few office cabinets. For someone like me, a professional
writer working at home, converting the garden shed to a garden
office would be a simple matter of adding a few outlets -
there's electricity there already - and insulating the walls for
the winter.
Consider your needs before you start dreaming though. Will you
need to run wiring from the house to the shed? Add in the cost
of the electricians, then. If you're in an area with cold
winters or hot summers, will you need insulation, heat and air
conditioning? Remember, it's more than just your comfort you
need consider. When you're using a shed as a garden office, you
also need to consider the 'comfort' of your equipment. Most
electrical equipment - computers and the like - are happiest if
the temperature is kept at around 68 F. What about phones? Will
you need a land line with multiple extensions - or will your
cell phone do just fine? For that matter - with a good wireless
connection, can you make do with a laptop and docking station
for your computing needs?
Using a shed
as a garden office can be a wonderful option - and depending
on your needs, it can be extremely affordable - or pure luxury.
Think it through, make your plans, and then decide if it's worth
it to have a beautiful, comfortable office that makes your
workday a pleasure.