Dreaming of separation from work at home?
Hybrid and remote working have transformed the working landscape. However…
Operating from home without separation between professional and personal life is a disaster. Distractions, burnout and stress are just a few things people experience when working from undesignated spaces.
Luckily, there’s a solution. Designating an area to work from can help immensely with creating a divide. Garden rooms and offices have surged in popularity over recent years as remote workers look for separation away from home.
Here’s what you need to know…
Table of Contents
- Why Workspace Boundaries Actually Matter
- The Research Behind Having Your Own Workspace
- Garden Rooms & Offices: Your Best Bet
- Top Features To Look For
- Final Thoughts
Why Workspace Boundaries Actually Matter
For most remote workers, “office hours” and “home time” are one and the same.
Per Owl Labs research, remote workers claim removing their commute would help them have a more productive day. But when home = work, where will that extra time go?
If you don’t create boundaries,
Your work will bleed into every aspect of your life. The majority of remote workers fail to make this workplace/home life separation and it shows.
However, when you have an office that you physically go to, you can leave work at work. Research shows that remote workers who have a distinct workspace vs their home life have better mental health.
Which is where garden rooms and offices come in.
Investing in a quality garden office with installation from a manufacturer who specialises in creating outdoor rooms helps people separate their home lives from work ones. No more digging into family time to finish “that last email.”
Impressed yet?
The Research Behind Having Your Own Workspace
It’s not just a feeling that people experience when they separate their work life from home life. Here’s what science says about designated workspaces:
Employees who have a space to work from report higher productivity.
A Stanford study found that when employees were given the opportunity to work remotely, they were 47% more productive.
But guess what?!
All of this is contingent on having a. SPACE. To. Work. From.
Working on the couch with your kids screaming in the next room and your favourite show playing in the background is not going to get things done.
Here’s the data to prove it:
Workers who use a dedicated space such as a garden room or office experience better focus than those working from inside the home. Making the effort to go somewhere else to work lets your mind know that it’s time to focus.
And it’s not just a one way street.
When you finish work for the day, leaving your garden room to return home can help your mind relax and not think about those leftover work tasks.
This type of separation you just can’t get from working from your bedroom.
Bedrooms are for sleeping. Offices are for working. Trust me.
Garden Rooms & Offices: Your Best Bet
With so many benefits,
Garden rooms and offices are becoming the number one choice for remote workers. So what makes them so great?
Let’s take a look at a few of the benefits:
- Separation from kids, pets and package deliveries
- Eliminate your commute while keeping the mental benefits of leaving the house
- Utilise year round (with proper insulation)
- Increased home value
Garden rooms and offices are more than just wooden sheds with desks shoved into them. The garden offices from reputable suppliers come insulated, ready for electricity and WiFi, and built to keep you comfy all year long.
But… there’s one thing people often overlook.
Yes, garden rooms help with productivity. But they also help you disconnect from work when you need to.
Being able to close the door on work at the end of the day does wonders for your mental health.
Top Features To Look For
As mentioned previously, garden rooms come in all shapes and sizes.
Not all garden rooms will suit your needs, which is why it’s important to know what things you need to look out for when choosing your perfect workspace.
Natural light
Humans need sunlight. Period. Don’t forget to look for big windows (or better yet… a roof skylight) when investing in your garden workspace. Being cooped up in a room with no sunlight all day is bad for productivity and mental health.
Insulation is key
If your garden room isn’t insulated properly, you won’t want to spend time in it during the summer or winter months. Make sure whatever product you choose is properly insulated to keep you comfortable year round.
Internet…and electricity
But, what’s the point of having a space to work from if you don’t have access to INTERNET? Make sure the company you purchase your garden room from can accommodate for all of your electrical and WiFi needs before you purchase.
Noise reduction
Do your Zoom meetings in complete silence, or with the tv blasting in the background? Reducing noise wherever possible is ideal when working (inside your house or outside in your garden room).
Adjustable height desk
Last but not least, make sure you have an adjustable height desk. Staying seated all day is bad for your health, even if you’re focussed on work. Look for desks that allow you to stand and work or sit and relax.
Final Thoughts
Are you sold on building a workspace that’s separate from your home?
If you haven’t noticed, there are quite a few things to consider when looking into garden offices. So before you take the leap, here are some final things to keep in mind:
How big do you need your workspace to be?
Think about what you’ll be using your workspace for. Do you need space for meetings? Storage? Just yourself? Make sure you allow enough room for your current needs and potential future needs.
Permission from your local council
Do you need planning permission to build a garden office? In some areas, you do. But for the most part, garden offices fall under permitted development rules. Be sure to double check with your local council before you start building.
How much are you willing to spend?
When it comes to garden offices, you truly do get what you pay for. Don’t be fooled by the cheap prices you’ll find. A quality garden office can last you upwards of 20 years before you start to see signs of wear. Cheaper brands often struggle to reach a 5 year lifespan.
Visiting showrooms will help you set your budget.
Don’t be afraid to ask suppliers about insulation levels, warranty information, and pricing details before you make your decision.
Let’s Wrap This Up
Remote workers everywhere are fighting to keep some semblance of work/home life balance. And while not every job allows for a roof patio office, creating boundaries where you can goes a long way.
Garden rooms help people do this by:
- Providing a space to physically go to work
- Creating separation between work and home life
- Offering quality features to keep you comfy and productive
- Helping you plan for years of comfortable remote working
You don’t have to work from your kitchen table anymore. Invest in a garden room and keep work where it belongs: at the office.
