The trend of remote and hybrid working has increased dramatically in the last five years, with people who predominantly work from home more than doubling. It’s no surprise that garden offices have grown in popularity, offering an affordable dedicated working space for those working from home. We all know how much better remote working can be although it has presented challenges when it comes to work/life balance. No quiet designated working space, constant family interruptions and struggling to switch off.

We’ve noticed a huge bump in demand for our eco friendly garden office rooms. An OGEL garden room offers an affordable, distinct physical area away from the house, creating an actual boundary between the home and work space which can be crucial in maintaining a good work/life balance.

Creating an inspiring garden office requires some thoughtful design and planning. It’s crucial to craft a space that meets your physical needs but also resonates with you on a personal level, making your workday something to look forward to.

In this post, we’re highlighting some of our favourite garden office Ideas to help you create an inspiring working-from-home space to maintain a productive working environment and establish a strong work/life balance.

Planning your garden office

When planning your garden office, you will need to evaluate your needs and goals to tailor it perfectly, consider how the office will primarily be used.

The first thing to consider when planning your home office interior is the desk position and working area, do you require a space that can comfortably fit multiple monitors for a smoother workflow? Will there be more than one person using or working in this space?

LED lighting positions and available natural light are also critical factors to consider when designing the interior of your garden office, generally it is best to have your leds positioned over your working areas instead of the centre of the room to prevent any annoying shadowing. It is also best practice to position computer screens so they are facing away from windows and doors as this will help stop sun glare.

The next thing to consider is the number and position of electrical sockets that you will require in the office. If the intended use of the office could change or if more people are going to be using the space in the future it is very important to plan ahead, as adding in extra sockets or changing their positions once the office is built is difficult and could be costly.

Plan for storage spaces that you may require and their accessibility. If you’re building a garden music studio, do you need rack mount audio processors within an arm’s reach? Are you a personal trainer building a home gym or garden yoga studio for clients that needs storage for exercise equipment? An accountant who needs carefully organised filing systems?

Whatever your needs are, we can build them into your final garden room. But it’s important to carefully plan out everything you’ll need at the start of the build.

Maximising space

To gain the most benefit from your garden office involves strategic planning around accessibility, privacy and sunlight. The office should be built in a position to benefit from the available natural light, reducing the need for artificial lighting and heating.

Privacy is another key factor to consider as no-one likes the feeling of being watched over so consider your privacy needs, building the office with windows and doors away from overlooking windows or utilising landscaping techniques and fencing to create a concealed area can make a world of difference. It is also important to ensure the path to your office is safe and accessible especially during the construction phase.

When designing your garden room office it is essential to plan in advance to get the most benefit from the space. For example a new startup business with a growing team could quickly be working on top of each other if proper desk space was not planned for.

Consider your tech stack

Depending on the intended use of your garden room office there are some extras which will need to be considered as they could be essential for the functionality of the space and may require hiring other professionals to complete this work.

  • WiFi: This is essential for almost any use, however depending on the location of the building it may be as simple as adding a wall socket WiFi extender, using a stronger router, or a mesh network system may need to be installed if the office is a considerable distance from the house.
  • Electricity: Will be required for any lighting, heating, and devices such as computers or treadmills. This will involve hiring a professional electrician to run a 32a armoured cable underground from your main house to the garden room, unless there is one already installed.
  • Water supply: If your space requires a sink, shower, or toilet you will have to extend water and drain lines from your main house. This involves trenching to lay pipes for both fresh water in and waste water out if the building is away from the main house, and possibly installing a water heater for warm water.

Each of these integrations requires careful planning and compliance with local building regulations. Hiring professionals for electrical and plumbing work is crucial to ensure safety and functionality.

Integrating with nature

Thoughtful design and landscaping techniques are required to merge your garden office into its surroundings, and choosing a colour which best matches its setting will aid this a lot. A great way to blend the building into its setting is with native plants and trees, which also helps with privacy, supports local wildlife and increases your connectivity to nature.

Adding a water feature to the outside of your garden room office creates tranquil ambient sounds that help relieve stress creating a more productive work space. Additions like decking or a stone path around the building or leading up to it will give an inviting appeal and incorporate it into the surrounding landscape. Bird baths and feeders can also be employed around the building to foster a bond with local wildlife.

Sustainable solutions

OGEL is at the pinnacle of sustainable garden office buildings, employing the use of nearly 100% eco-friendly recycled materials as well as utilising energy/material-saving features.

Our responsibility to sustainability also incorporates energy efficiency, with strategically placed insulation to prevent heat loss whilst minimising material use, energy-efficient windows to promote natural light while retaining low heat exchange, and LEDs for low-energy lighting.

Making the office environmentally friendly and economically viable. With this revolutionary approach, OGEL sets a new standard for garden offices, delivering spaces that are beautiful, functional, and deeply aligned with our environmental responsibility.

Garden office layout and interior design

Designing an effective garden office interior is crucial in ensuring your comfort, productivity, and overall workflow. The direction of natural lighting should be considered when planning the placement of desks to prevent sun glare on computer screens, with the desk preferably facing windows.

Storage solutions are also important; integrating shelves, cabinets, or filing systems can help support a clutter-free environment. Thought will also need to be given to seating arrangements, especially if the space will accommodate other people or host in-person meetings.

Natural light:

Maximising the use of natural light is essential to enhancing both your mood and your productivity. Calculated window position, glass doors, and skylights not only illuminate the space but also establish a constant connection with its outdoor setting, contributing to a more inviting and productive work environment.

The benefits of properly used natural light include, reducing eye strain, improving mental well-being, and reduces the need for internal heating making it a vital component of garden office design.

Ergonomic essentials

Choosing ergonomic furniture, such as a comfortable chair, adjustable desk, and proper lighting, to support health and well-being during long work hours.

Another essential that cannot be overlooked when setting up a garden office is choosing the correct ergonomic furniture. It is best to invest in a high-quality chair designed for comfortable working through the day by supporting proper posture. As well as an ergonomic chair an adjustable desk that can be moved to both sitting and standing work positions can improve your working environment, reducing chronic back problems and preventing periods of muscle inactivity. Ample and properly positioned lighting is also necessary to prevent eye strain and prevent annoying shadowing.

Personalised decor

We have tons of creative garden room ideas to help you personalise your garden office. The most effective way to add your own stamp to your space is with personalised decor that reflects your personality and inspires you to be productive is the final touch in creating your perfect workspace.

Artwork, motivational quotes, plants and pictures not only amplify the aesthetics of your office but also serve as inspiration and motivation for your work. This personalised approach turns a featureless garden office into a sanctuary of creativity and productivity, creating an inviting and inspiring office.

Setting the scene

An OGEL garden room office offers a unique blank canvas to create your personalised retreat that can blend seamlessly with nature whilst reflecting your individual styles and tastes. Common aesthetic themes for garden rooms include:

Modern minimalist

Utilising clean lines, a monochrome colour palette, and minimal furnishings. This theme is the epitome of simplicity and function, creating a sleek, contemporary space that promotes focus and clarity.

Photo credit: Green retreats

Rustic charm

This embraces natural, raw and reclaimed materials such as wood, stone and metal to cultivate an atmosphere that is warm, cosy and inviting. Rustic garden rooms often feature traditional craftsmanship, conveying a sense of timeless beauty and comfort.

Photo credit: Into the garden room

Bohemian chic

With vibrant colours and a mix of patterns and textures. Bohemian chic garden rooms aim to deliver a playful and expressive atmosphere, incorporating plants, lively fabrics and vintage furniture for a truly personalised, creative space.

Photo credit: Green retreats

Scandinavian inspired

Bringing focus to light, natural colours, wooden elements with a functional design. This theme combines modern minimalism with a rustic charm, featuring clean lines and a cosy inviting atmosphere that’s bright and airy.

Photo credit: Into the garden room

Industrial style

Utilises elements like metal fixtures, and raw concrete and reclaimed wood, elicits a sense of urban cool, with an edgy, architectural feel.

Photo credit: Into the garden room

Japanese Zen

Inspired by the principles of Zen Buddhism, this theme emphasises simplicity, natural beauty, and tranquillity. Featuring clean lines, natural materials, and a muted colour scheme, this theme aims to create a peaceful retreat that fosters mindfulness and relaxation.

Photo credit: better homes and gardens

Cottagecore

Inducing the rural cottage life, featuring floral patterns, soft colours, and vintage furniture. This theme is all about creating a cosy, welcoming space that celebrates the beauty of nature and simpler times.

Image credit: Future / Brent Darby / Styling Pippa Blenkinsop

Green Oasis

Using lush plants, bright colours, and natural materials like bamboo to create a vibrant, energising environment. This theme transports you to a flourishing, tranquil habitat, perfect for relaxation and creative inspiration.

Photo credit: Alister Thorpe

Summary

One of the most notable benefits of your own home garden office is creating a boundary between your place of work and your home. A garden room removes many of the distractions that are often accompanied with working in a living environment. Having this dedicated space allows you to leave your work at the end of the day – just as you would if you left a traditional office to head home.

Proper time and consideration should be taken during the design phase to make sure that the interior of your garden office is an efficient and productive area to work in, with special consideration given to desk space/position, ergonomic furniture, storage spaces, lighting and the need for a strong WiFi connection.

Make your garden room private by using landscaping and gardening methods such as fences or strategically placing plants and trees to block any overlooking windows, this can also have the added benefit of increasing your connection with nature.

Once these aspects have been finalised you should now think about how to personalise the interior of your garden office, using plants, artwork, fabrics and decor to create a space that boosts your creativity, focus and betters your mental wellbeing.

If you’re interested in an OGEL garden office pod of your own – get in touch with us today. We can help you with the planning process to ensure we build exactly what you need.