commute to the end of your garden
Working from home has never seemed so tempting
tHOSeresolvedfrom— an and upgradehome can’twhoto this affordto workhave year a withlook out smarthouseof the study window.— complete should
has Because become installinga populara garden choice office for workersbeing at who home, like but the conveniencealso enjoy the of feelingit has of benefits ‘going for out healthto work’. (birdsong, fresh air and natural light); is cheaper than an extension and, according to alex Johnson, author of Shedworking: The alternative Workplace revolution, can add 5 per cent to the value of your house. Johnson runs the popular ( vegetative) roof ( website and with the range of available products growing rapidly each year, a garden office no longer means a twee, alpine confection that looks like a prop from the set of Heidi. Cutting out the commute is an increasingly popular choice; last year, 4.2 million people in Britain were home workers, the highest proportion of the workforce since records began. it pays to get your office right from the start, so do your homework. First, what can you afford? ‘it’s important to call in several quotes,’ says Johnson. ensure your shed comes fully insulated and don’t forget to establish what flooring and interior finish options are available. ‘Make sure that you won’t be hit with extra unexpected costs at the end such as an electrical connection,’ says Johnson. Skinners Sheds offers a smart looking Professional Contemporary Garden Office, with prices starting from £4,830 for a 2.4 mx2.4 m structure ( skinners sheds.com) while Warwick Buildings has produced the Budget Office: a 2.4 mx 3 m office for £5,000 ( warwick buildings.co.uk). a third good value choice
is the Salthouse Studio, which starts from £7,470 for a 1.8 x 2.4 m shed and has the option of a sedum
crane gardenbuildings.co.uk).
Once you have settled on a budget, you can let your imagination run wild. ‘ These days shed offices can be circular, in a tree or imitation shepherd’s huts — one angular model has even been described as looking like Darth Vader’s shed,’ says Johnson.
if you fancy something curvaceous, check out the adaptapods, which are sleek and contemporary but also spacious. The ‘outdoor living spaces’ start from £27,000 for a 4.5 m by 3.5 m studio ( adaptapods.co.uk).
meanWHiLe, the archipod is a cedarclad ball with a top-hinged door that will make you feel like an astronaut; from £15,000 for a 2.9 m diameter pod ( archipod.com).
Pod Space offers stylish, high- spec eco pods from £20,000 ( pod-space.co.uk).
and OfficePod’s small, streamlined sheds with rounded interiors are a modern-looking, minimal fuss option for those who don’t want to feel trapped in a box. Prices from £9,500,
officepod.co.uk.
Most sheds will require a concrete base of at least 4 in, which you’ll need to install in advance. Many timber sheds will also require annual exterior maintenance with a waterproof paint treatment. Booths Garden Studios, however, offer portable, ‘zero maintenance’ sheds made of steel cleverly designed to look like wood.
‘They also come with small feet so they won’t need a concrete base; you can also erect them on a steep slope,’ says spokesperson iain Wetherell. Prices from £6,000 for a 1.8 m x 1.8 m studio ( boothsgardenstudios.co.uk).
You shouldn’t need planning permission for your shed provided you choose a model that is no higher than 2.5 m. Listed buildings and houses in areas of outstanding natural beauty may need permission, so if in doubt check.
The next question is what to put inside your new office. Like all small spaces, you need to maximise the light.
Don’t be afraid of using bold colours: if you have a timber floor consider painting it bright red or blue, or laying down a vibrant rug.
You can personalise it as much as you wish.
‘i think the biggest benefit of an office shed is that it makes work that little bit more fun — a garden office is a sanctuary for grown-ups,’ says Johnson.