With more people than ever working from home, the demand for garden offices has been on the rise. Besides the demand for working space, garden offices are also common hobby rooms that are used for various activities. The small structures have become popular not only because of the value they offer homeowners but also due to their multipurpose nature.
There are many ideas that can be used when developing a multi-purpose space in the garden. In the case where custom garden space is desired, detailed attention has to be given to the garden space, doors, and windows. A custom home office may require transparent walls with sufficient natural light while a gaming room may require minimal light penetration.
With so many options and uses for garden rooms, choosing the right garden house design can be quite challenging. To find out the best designs for the outdoor space, keep on reading.
Do Garden Offices Need Planning Permission?
Garden offices vary in design and structure according to the permitted development guidelines. There are those that are built to offer sufficient work space for more than one activity, whilst others are simple tiny structures. Whether a garden office requires a permit or not mainly depends on the size of the structure and the intended purpose. In most cases, the term garden office is used to refer to a small structure that does not require permits to put up.
Under the permitted development rule, garden buildings not exceeding 2.5 metres in height can be constructed without a permit. These green retreats are often used for entertainment or as offices. Further, the law requires that such a hobby room does not have a balcony, veranda, or a raised platform exceeding o.3 metres.
Is a Garden Office a Good Idea?
A garden mini office is a great idea for a person who has use for it. This space is more vital for people who work from home. Besides the work-from-home group, other garden affairs such as yoga, gaming, or retreats can be conducted in a garden shed. Many people are turning the small garden structures into purposeful offices with the aim of cutting the costs.
The beauty of a garden office is that it is virtually maintenance-free. In other words, constructing garden pods can help cut down the budget of renting office space. The budget for building a new building in the garden is nothing compared to the cost of renting an office. Further, the garden workspace is more enriching and leads to improved productivity.
How Much Does a Garden Office Cost?
The costs of construction for garden structures vary greatly. There are some structures that are simply fabricated from a shipping container and designed to come up with the final office. In other instances, there may be a need to construct a fully insulated structure for sunny days. In such a case, plenty of resources have to go into the construction process.
The cost can vary greatly depending on how the office is constructed. For a DIY office, the price can be as low as £1,000 whilst for a professionally constructed one, the price can vary between £1,000 and £5,000. In other cases, the cost may get as high as £12,000 depending on the amenities needed.
Do Garden Offices Add Value to House?
Garden rooms are a great addition to any home. They do not only add to the beauty of the home but also improve the overall value of the house. The home office adds space to the available living space, creating a more inclusive home. When selling a house, the budget for constructing the garden rooms can be used in bargaining a better deal.
Some customers will readily purchase a home that has a garden studio due to the benefits of such structures. The fact that the office shed improves the home value is an inspiration for many home buyers. For a person who loves spending time in outdoor spaces, buying a house with an office garden is a priority.
Does a Garden Building Increase Office Space?
Garden buildings are designed with the intended use in mind. If the garden room is specifically designed to work as a garden office, it will offer more office space than a regular office. Modular garden offices are designed to specifically increase working space and improve productivity. When looking at garden office ideas, the working space requirements must be considered.
For office designs and construction, find a registered company with a Wales company registration number to work on the project. The right design will create more space for the office even turning it into a guest room where applicable. It is important to insulate the walls properly if the workspace will be used as a guest room occasionally. Guests should be made to feel as comfortable as possible.
10 FAQS About Garden Room Studio Offices
The demand for garden offices has led to a spike in questions regarding this venture. Future plc, an international media group recently published an article about the lack of knowledge about grade offices. The questions below provide more information. Garden office-related questions and answers of the commonly asked queries.
Here are ten frequently asked questions about Garden Room Studio offices:
1. How Big is a Garden Office?
The size of a garden office is limited to the permitted development standards. The smallest garden office should be 8′ x 10′ in size. The largest garden office should not exceed 12′ x 10′. In terms of height, green retreats should not exceed 2.5 meters in height. If built on roof overhang, the structure does not require planning permission and should not exceed the height of the main house.
2. Can a Single Storey Structure be Classified as a Garden Office?
Whilst a single-storey structure can work as a good garden office, it does require permission to construct. Any structures above 2.5 meters in height will rest assured require planning permission. When designing the garden home working space, leave the tags open to create room for acquiring more information along the way.
3. Do Working Hours Affect the Garden Office Building Design
In England, the laws governing the range of garden rooms specify that such structures should not be permanent living spaces. In other terms, it could be a light resting area in summer or even a structure without a roof for passing time. In the case where it has to be used as an office or a hobby room, it is recommended that the structure should be used occasionally.
4. Can a Garden Office Have Multiple Doors?
For small structures as the garden office as recommended in England, should not have more than one door. It may have several windows but the number of doors should be limited to one for the best result. For lighting purposes, using a glass door will help in creating a conducive home office even in winter. It’s also important to ensure that the windows are big enough and close to the working desk.
5. What is the Inspiration for Garden Office Ideas
The inspiration is mostly personal preferences. When a garden office expert visits to assess the ground, they should start by asking about the needs of the homeowner and other information. The Garden office finds inspiration in the needs of the user. It is the user who will decide whether the office should have single or double doors, sliding doors, or rolling ones among other factors.
6. Can You Sleep in a Garden House?
Garden structures are mostly temporary buildings that are ideal for hobbies. Government regulations stipulate that a living house where a person can sleep should meet certain safety standards. Most garden houses fail to meet such standards. As such, sleeping in a temporary structure is illegal. If one is found sleeping in such a structure, legal action may apply.
7. How Long Does Garden Buildings Last?
Prefabricated garden structures come with a sturdy floor that guarantees durability for at least 10 years. Generally, a well-developed structure should have a lifespan of up to 3-years. The quality of the floor plays a major role in the ultimate life of the home office. Quality floors guarantee a life span of at least 10 years but can get to 20 years with the right care.
8. Does the Site of Construction Matter?
There are differences in the design and look of gardens. Some are heavy with trees whilst others are open. When constructing a garden with plenty of trees, the site should help determine the lighting design of the building. The site of construction may also affect the lifespan of the garden office. The best information garden office finds ideas from the outdoor space.
9. Can You Live in a Log Cabin Permanently?
There is a possibility of a person sleeping in a garden office in emergence situations. However, making the office a permanent living space is not allowed. Laws governing permit structures specify that such structures cannot be used as an alternative home. The structures are temporary and should never be used. When choosing office ideas, factor in space for the toilet just in case.
10. Can I put a Toilet in My Garden Room?
Yes, it is okay to have a toilet in the garden studio, as long as the toilet is connected to the main house sewer system. Having a different sewer system connected to the house may cause legal issues. It is necessary to have a washroom but connecting it to the main house may reduce complications.
Most of the questions above regard are about the legalities concerning home offices. The home life for those who work from the beauty of their garden offices can only be made better by working in a good environment. Therefore, it’s necessary to pay more attention to the garden office ideas available to avoid ending up with a structure that is legal but out of shape.
Stylish Garden Studios: Find Them Here
Constructing a beautiful and well-designed garden house could be time-consuming and a costly affair sometimes. However, with professional help, it is possible to get the structure set up without spending too much on the design or permits. The right design is not easy to arrive at but with professional help, it is attainable.
At Garden Room Studio, we know what it takes to construct a fully functional garden office. For this reason, we construct and deliver prefabricated garden offices at an affordable price. The prefabricated offices are well designed and come with amenities such as toilets and office desks among other options.
Get in touch with us for a quote on garden houses and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
