blog

My dream is to have a garden office. I love the idea of leaving home behind and "commuting" down the garden to work then, at the end of a long, productive day, closing the office door on all things serious. For anyone working from home, a garden office offers a pleasant discipline and routine, and a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of the household. Converting an existing structure into a garden office - or starting from scratch - is an involved project. The structure needs to be properly insulated, have power, telecommunications, heating (either underfloor or a convection heater with a thermostat), and you may want to connect it to water and waste utilities. This is an ideal opportunity to try eco-building materials (especially insulation), and alternative energy sources (solar panels in particular). Think about whether you need a path from the house to the office, or a decked area outside it. Be sure to include plenty of windows in the design, as daylight will enhance your office. If the idea of working in nature appeals, consider installing folding and sliding doors that can open up completely in summer. Go a step further and have a structure that blends with its surroundings and that's attractive to wildlife: either grow your own (visit Unlike a home office, the garden office's interior doesn't have to blend with the rest of your home. Instead, it can be a true expression of what you need from a working environment, tailored just for you: conservative, artistic, dramatic, quirky, minimalist, or whatever takes your fancy. A garden office allows you to rethink your working style and to find a rhythm that's right for you. Not everyone produces their best chained to a desk. If you're like me and prefer to work curled up on a sofa or armchair, I strongly recommend investing in a Tablet PC (the screen rotates 180 degrees and lays flat over the keyboard, allowing you to write comfortably on the screen with the pen provided). Wireless technology is also a good investment for a garden office. However, working in the same position day after day can be mindnumbing. Movement and change keep the brain alert and ideas flowing, so plan your garden office with distinct areas for different tasks. This will encourage you to gravitate to other areas as the day progresses - but be sure to include practical work surfaces in each activity corner. I like the idea of a built-in "work island" - positioned slightly offcentre to allow sufficient space elsewhere in the office for comfortable seating for relaxing and brainstorming. A well designed work island (with a generous-sized work surface and a base containing the maximum practical storage) will give you flexibility: your main position can overlook the garden, with the option of working on the three other sides. Include ample leg room on all four sides. If you want to work standing up, consider building the work island at bar height. Make sure your seating gives adequate back support and includes a foot rest. If the budget won't stretch to a bespoke work island, your office layout can still be creative and dynamic. Don't let furniture hug the walls, with a large, empty space in the middle. Try positioning an attractive desk (check out the designs on

# posted by henry62119 @ 10:02 AM 0 comments