{"id":4168,"date":"2020-08-14T10:17:16","date_gmt":"2020-08-14T10:17:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.buildteam.com\/blog\/?p=4168"},"modified":"2022-04-28T09:47:49","modified_gmt":"2022-04-28T09:47:49","slug":"creating-the-perfect-garden-office","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.buildteam.com\/blog\/creating-the-perfect-garden-office\/","title":{"rendered":"Creating the Perfect Garden Office"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Working\nfrom home has become the new normal and is set to continue well into the new\nyear. With more than 44% of us no longer commuting to the office on a daily\nbasis now is the ideal time to set up a dedicated home office. However, if you\ndon\u2019t have a spare room waiting to be transformed, or you would prefer a degree\nof separation between work and home, then a garden office may be the way\nforward for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Where do I start? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first\nthing to consider when looking to build a garden office is your budget, make\nsure to factor in the whole project from start to finish to ensure your design\nis affordable. Of course there is the cost of the design and build of the\nstructure itself, but be sure to consider the wider works. The structure will\nneed foundations, which can vary in cost depending on the ground type, electric\nand possibly water connections will need to be made but also re-landscaping the\ngarden to allow the new structure to settle in to its surroundings, and finally\nfitting out the space with furniture and accessories. Throughout the design\nphase we will be able to prices up the construction for you so you can assess\nhow this fits with your budget work begins. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is the Perfect Location? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\nhave ascertained whether a garden office is affordable you need to look at\nwhere you will build it. One of the obvious starting points is your view, you\nare in control of your outlook so consider a space that will offer you the best\ngarden views from your desk. It is also worth bearing in mind the views towards\nyour office from various points in the garden and also your house. Although the\noffice will be designed sympathetically you don\u2019t want to detract from the wider\ngarden or block any views you currently enjoy – make your garden office a feature\nnot an eyesore!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The impact\non your neighbors and your gardens boundary is also a major consideration, your\nlocal authorities planning regulations will dictate not only the location but\nthe size of the building you can create, so to be sure to look into this at the\nearliest stage to avoid disappointment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally,\ndon\u2019t forget to look at the direction of the sun and any surrounding noise pollution,\nmake sure you are not going to be sat next to a busy road and if you have to\nyou\u2019ll want to factor in additional noise cancelling insulation. With regard to\nthe direction of the sunlight, south facing windows will create a lot of screen\nglare and make a highly glazed space into a greenhouse, softer north facing\nlight can create a better working environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Do we need Planning Permission?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have\nmentioned above, it is best to always check with your local planning authority to\nsee exactly what type of planning application you may require, based on your\ndesign aspiration and the various London boroughs these criteria will differ.\nIt will most likely be possible to complete your garden office under permitted\ndevelopment, providing it fulfils critical planning criteria regarding its\noverall size, including height and its location within your garden. To find out\nexactly what is required we suggest you visit planningportal.co.uk and search\noutbuildings or arrange a Design Consultation with one of Architectural\nDesigners who will be able to offer some advice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How will the Space Function? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we all\nknow, space in London comes at a premium, so it is worth considering at an\nearly stage what exactly you need from your office and if you would like it to\nhave more than one function. Will, once of course social distancing is relaxed,\nmeetings with clients be held? If so consider how and what they will see and if\na meeting space is required, remember to plan for cupboard space to hide away\nmess. \u2013 clutter free areas also help to create a more productive working\nenvironment. Consider the practicalities of a WC or Kitchenette to save those\nwinter walks back to the house for a tea top up or restroom pit-stops. If you\nhave the space also think also about creating a small breakout zone where you\ncan sit to take a rest from work, a moment to relax is an important for mental\nhealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Perhaps you\nonly work part time, or have limited desk work so it wouldn\u2019t be cost effective\nto have a room just dedicated to work. Do you want to have a summer house for\nthose hotter months, an additional outdoor space all the family can enjoy or\nmaybe the kids what a den where they can have friend\u2019s over away from the\nadults? Even just adding a sofa bed and a small bathroom will allow it to\nbecome a guest house for visiting family and friends. There are so many options\nit is worth sitting down with your family and discussing the types of space you\nwould like to see if a multi-functional structure can be created that will\nbenefit you all. Think as the new structure as an extension of your home,\nanother room in your house. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why Design when I can buy something\n\u2018Off-the-Shelf\u2019? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With our\nglorious British weather, you are less likely to use your new garden office for\nmost of year if it is cold and drafty in winter and then boiling hot in summer.\nInsulation and double glazed units will all be part of a purpose built\noutbuilding whereas some basic home offices\/summer houses and converted shed\nwill require insulation to make them usable all year round. A purpose build\nspace will be designed to your requirements and location making sure that what\nyou end up with is exactly what you want and fulfils all its required uses as\nopposed to an off the shelf prefab which may need costly adjustments to make it\nfit for purpose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The\nbenefits of a home office are clear, not having to commute or adhere to a\nstrict 9-5 routine has been shown to improve your work\/life balance and reduce\nstress while dividing your office from your home will allow you to maintain the\nseparation of work from family life. There is also the bonus that on average a\ngarden room can increase the value of your home by around 7% so if you are\nconsidering a new home office alongside other home extensions works then email\nus today on hello@buildteam.com<\/a> to book a FREE Design Consultation with our\nteam to disuse the options, feasibility and costs involved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Working from home has become the new normal and is set to continue well into the new year. With more than 44% of us no longer commuting to the office on a daily basis now is the ideal time to set up a dedicated home…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":311092,"featured_media":4169,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[214],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4168","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-design-layout-options"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.buildteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4168","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.buildteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.buildteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buildteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/311092"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buildteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4168"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.buildteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4168\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5185,"href":"https:\/\/www.buildteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4168\/revisions\/5185"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buildteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4169"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.buildteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4168"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buildteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4168"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buildteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4168"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}