Garden office ideas: How to design the ideal work from home setup

Adding a garden building or log cabin to your outdoor space is a much more cost-effective way to free up that space and provides you with a quiet workspace that enables you to connect with nature, enjoy your garden and make the most of your outdoor space. 

In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of a garden office and the factors to consider helping you create the perfect work from home setup.

The benefits of building a garden office

Building a garden office not only helps you to add extra space to your home, it also helps you to create a dedicated working space that feels separate from your home life and helps you to focus whether you work from home permanently or just a few days a week. 

Here are just a few of the benefits of building your own home office:

• A clear separation between work and home life: When you work from home, separating your work and home life can be tricky. When you work in the kitchen, living room or spare bedroom, it’s hard to switch off from work. A garden office helps to create separation and stepping outside into a dedicated workspace creates a mental shift that helps you to focus on work during the day and switch off in the evenings. This can help to improve work-life balance and help you feel more relaxed when you’re not at work. 

• A calm, focused environment: Creating a space in the garden where you can go to work will be much quieter and calmer than sitting inside the house. Removing yourself from household distractions and family noise allows you to be more productive during your working day. Enjoying views of your garden and greenery while you work can also help you to feel more connected to nature and calmer. 

• A workspace designed for your needs: When you build your own garden office, it can be designed around you and your needs, unlike a room inside your home that’s been repurposed. You might spend hours on videos so need a quiet space or need somewhere for creative projects and a purpose-built office can be completely tailored to you. 

• Improve wellbeing: Natural light, fresh air and being closer to nature can help to contribute to an overall improvement in wellbeing. A garden office encourages regular movement between your home and workspace so you can take breaks throughout the day and even enjoy time outside during your work breaks.

• Increased productivity: With fewer interruptions and a space designed for you to focus, you might find that you’re more productive during your working day which allows you to achieve more and enjoy downtime after a long day.

Key factors to consider when designing the ideal garden office space

Designing the perfect garden office is about more than just choosing the right building. You need to create a workspace that helps you to feel comfortable and is suited to your needs and the requirements of your job.

Choose the right size garden building

The size of your garden office will impact whether you’re able to use it as a long-term solution. Aside from adding a desk and chair, think about whether you’ll need additional space for storage, a work bench, creative space and if you have any future needs for the space. A cramped workspace can feel uncomfortable and unappealing, especially if you work from home full time. 

Allow room for your desk with enough space to move around, storage such as shelving or cabinets and enough space to move freely without any obstacles.

Choose the correct space in your garden

The location of your garden office can have an impact on how comfortable and practical it is to use. Think about how sunlight moves across your garden during the day to help you make the most of the natural light and think about privacy from neighbouring properties. Good drainage and ground conditions are also important for long-term durability and supporting the build with well-placed planting or screening can help your office feel like a natural addition to your garden rather than standing out.

Insulation

If you’re planning to use your garden office all year round and not just during the warmer months, you’ll need to think about adding insulation in the walls, floor and roof to help you stay warm during the colder months and keeping your home office usable. You’ll also need to think about adding heaters and ventilation to keep the space comfortable throughout the year.

Power supply

Your home office will need a power supply to allow you to use computers monitors, lighting, heating and internet connectivity. Planning electrics and how they’re going to be added to your office at this stage helps you to ensure you’re installing it in the right place and avoids costly changes later on.

Security and privacy 

Unless you intend to remove it at the end of every day, it’s likely your garden office will contain valuable equipment, so security is important to consider. Think about adding lockable doors and windows to protect your belongings. Privacy is also an important consideration so make sure your office is shielded from your neighbours where possible.

Planning permission 

One of the most common questions when considering a garden office is whether planning permission is required. In many cases, garden offices fall under permitted development which means you don’t need to apply for planning permission. However, restrictions may apply depending on the height of your office, it’s placement and whether you live in a listed building or a conservation area. We recommend checking with your local authority before building your home office to ensure your installation process runs smoothly.

Tuin garden offices to suit your outdoor space 

To help you find the perfect garden office for your home, here’s some of our garden buildings that will suit a range of spaces, working styles and lifestyles. 

Compact offices, perfect for smaller gardens 

Compact garden buildings are perfect if you’re looking for a dedicated workspace that’s not going to dominate your garden or take up too much space, especially if you have a smaller garden. At Tuin, we have a range of garden offices and log cabins that enable you to make the most of limited space while still feeling light and welcoming.

Samuel Garden Office 2 x 2.5m

This is a compact but practical garden office featuring double glazing, a glazed door and side window to allow in plenty of natural light. The Samuel is ideal for small, tight garden spaces and allows you to create a comfortable, dedicated workspace in your garden.

Emma Corner Log Cabin 3 x 3m

Our Emma Corner log cabin fits perfectly into any small corner of your garden helping you to make the most of your outdoor space but keeping your office tucked into a quiet corner.

Barrel office log cabin 2.15 x 3.33m

Our barrel office log cabin has real character and is perfect for a compact space. This model provides a unique dedicated working space that won’t dominate your garden, enabling you to make the most of your space. 

Mid-size home office spaces 

If you work from home full time and want a comfortable workspace you can use throughout the year, you’ll want a slightly larger log cabin or garden office. These models provide space for a desk, storage and even a small seating area if you want to host meetings at home.

Alana Garden Studio 4 x 2.5m

This garden office is ideal for creating a light and airy, versatile office space. Its reasonable size allows room for a desk set up, storage solutions and even a seating area, all without feeling cramped. The glazing to the front of the building allows you to enjoy views of your garden while you work. 

Yorick Garden Office 5 x 3.8m

Similarly to our Alana garden office, our Yorick garden office offers plenty of space inside and a light, airy space to work in. Enjoy the view from the windows to the front and sides of the building while you work, the perfect place to focus and even invite customers or clients to. 

Large, multi-functional spaces 

If you really want your garden office to feel like an extension of your home, larger buildings are the perfect option for adding multiple desks, a creative space or meeting area. Your office could also be multi-functional with a lounge space your family can use when you’re not working there.

Coventry Log Cabin 5.9 x 5.63m

If you want a garden office that will help you to make the most of your garden as well as enjoy time outside when you’re not working, this is the perfect model. The internal area provides plenty of space for your home office and there’s even space for a seating area so you can create a garden lounge. The veranda to the front provides shade from the sun or shelter from the rain, depending on the weather and the storage area to the side helps you to really maximise your space. 

Casper Log Cabin 9 x 4m

If you want a large and adaptable office space for your garden, our Casper Log Cabin provides plenty of space and flexibility. Use the indoor area to create a peaceful working space with your desk and any creative setup you might need. You might even be able to fit a separate seating area in, so you have somewhere to welcome visitors. The outdoor veranda is perfect for use as a garden lounge, outdoor dining area or BBQ shelter so you can make use of your log cabin, even when you’re not working from home, maximising use of your garden at the same time. 

Create a garden office that works for you

Designing a garden office allows you to create a space that’s tailored to your needs, gives you space in your home back and provides you with a peaceful office that helps you create a boundary between your home and work life. 

Carefully considering the size and position of your garden building, planning for insulation, power and security and choosing a layout that suits your needs allows you to create a workspace you can feel comfortable in, and which is just as functional as any space inside your home. 

At Tuin, we have a wide range of garden offices and log cabins available, whether you’re looking for something compact or something larger that will allow you to make the most of your garden space. 

If you’re ready to create a garden office that works for your lifestyle, explore our full range of garden offices and log cabins today.