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Considerations Before Constructing Office in your Backyard
In Home and DIY Projects

Considerations Before Constructing Office in your Backyard

4 Mins Read

Having an office in your own backyard is what life is all about. No tough commutes. No worries about pandemic related lockdowns. You get the out of house feeling while remaining in your own property. Everything about a backyard office is just perfect.

However, before you can construct your dream office in the backyard, there are a few things you should understand and consider before starting with the build.

1) Local laws and regulations

Most of us do not realize that to construct a commercial property in your backyard, requires permission from local authorities.

While you are building something in your own property, commercial offices or business activities usually require licenses and permissions. This is especially true if you will have staff and customers visiting your office.

Note that here we are not talking about simply creating a garden office with tables and chairs. We are talking about a proper construction that will require building a structure.

Hence the first thing that you should do before constructing a backyard office is to find out about local laws and regulations. Depending upon where you live, there could be various restrictions such as height of the structure, materials used, types of activities allowed etc.

Once you are clear of all legal requirements, you can safely start with the planning and construction of your office.

2) Power supply

Your backyard office will need electricity for running lights, fan or air conditioners, computers and other machines.

You should make a note of everything that will require electric power and then decide what kind of power supply you want for your backyard office.

A lot of people nowadays try for solar power. They install solar panels on the roof of the structure to ensure their office does not consume power from the grid.

However, depending upon the power consumption, solar power may not be enough. In that case your backyard office will need to be connected to the same grid as your home.

Also with solar panels and clean energy, you need permission to activate it at most places.

Hence you can plan what kind of power supply you want and then again look at local permissions required to connect to the grid.

3) Interior layout

In most cases, people will have just the four walls, the flooring and the roof constructed while the interior is an open space.

However, you may want a structure that can accommodate an interior depending upon your specific type of business.

Think if you want specific furniture built or you can make do with an open space which can be utilized however you want in the future.

4) Readymade or built from scratch

Nowadays, you can actually buy readymade sheds that can be simply placed in your backyard by professionals.

If you are good with building things, you can think of constructing the office yourself.

You can have professionals come and build your office or have it constructed at an offsite location.

There are a number of possibilities and you can decide about this based on your budget, skill level and specific requirements of what you want in your office.

5) Dual use

Some people may want to create a backyard office for work during standard working hours. However, they like to also use the space to unwind during the night or during weekends.

Think if you are that type and you want your backyard office for dual use. It is important to think about this before construction as then you can get your dream office built accordingly with provisions for it becoming your relaxation center as well.

6) Ventilation

It is important to plan out windows and good ventilation systems in your backyard office.

This is not just for sunlight and fresh air but it will be good for your office equipment, reducing power bills and in general have a nice, fresh mindset during work.

Final thoughts

If you have a nice backyard with the space for an office, by all means go ahead and build one. It is a dream to be able to have this extra space that is within your property but at the same time is separate from your main house.

If you plan things well, you could have an office that doesn’t just increase productivity but also helps you unwind after work.

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Interior Design Considerations for Home Office
In Home and DIY Projects

Interior Design Considerations for Home Office

3 Mins Read

Home offices were already quite popular with entrepreneurs, home based businesses and executives working in corporate houses. However, ever since the pandemic in early 2020, home office requirements have gone through a complete transformation.

For many, home offices have become a necessity rather than a luxury. The concept of work from home is here to stay. Companies, wherever possible, are preferring employees work from home as long as they stay productive.

The keyword here is to stay ‘productive’. With so many people frantically trying to create a conducive work environment at home, home office interior design has become a sought-after service.

It does not matter if you are trying to design your own home office or taking the help of a professional interior designer, there are some things you need to consider before the design process.

1) The mood of your home office

You need to ask yourself, what mood are you trying to set with your new home office design?

Some people in high stress jobs may want something that is relaxing. Some may want a home office space that helps them stay energized. Others would want a modern workspace while some prefer traditional style furniture.

Whatever speaks to you and helps you with your mood while working needs to be reflected in your home office design. So that is the first question you should ask yourself and only after that can you start designing your office.

2) Ventilation and lighting

There have been studies that have shown good ventilation and lots of natural source of light helps with work productivity. However, not all of us are lucky enough to have spaces at home that can provide natural lighting.

Hence while designing your home office, you need to keep in mind the lighting source. If it is natural, then where should your desk be placed. If artificial lighting is more dominant, then what kind of lights will help you focus on your job for a longer period of time.

3) Plants

For me, this is an important consideration. Ideally we should all have plenty of plants around in the workplace. It helps relax your mind and at the same time, provides energy as well.

For those with completely indoor workspaces without natural lighting, should consider having plants that do not need much sunlight.

You may also consider plants that do not need watering daily.

Also the position of your plants matter as they should not be in the way of your work but at the same time easily noticeable for you while working.

4) Furniture and equipment

Some need just a desk and a laptop. Those who create videos from home may want a studio style setup with desktop computers for editing.

Depending upon the type of work and your industry, you may require different equipment in your home office.

You need to plan out your furniture and design of your home office based on the equipment you need for your work. Think ahead and ensure your home office has space for something you may need in the future.

Final thoughts

Home office interior design is not just about aesthetics. It is about functionality as well. It is about creating a space that will increase your productivity, uplift your mood and reduce work stress.

Keep the above points in mind and you will end up with a home office where it would not feel like work but a space where you enjoy spending time.

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Building a Garden Office What You Need to Know
In Home and DIY Projects

Building a Garden Office – What You Need to Know

5 Mins Read

Working remotely is now more common than ever. Large corporations already announced that they plan to keep remote working the norm, and smaller businesses are following suit. This means that investing in a comfortable home office makes more sense, since you can be more productive when you have the space to support your work.

Of course, a home office doesn’t have to be the spare bedroom converted into one. You can also set up a garden office and have an even better time working. Before you start planning to build a garden office, however, here are some of the things you need to know first.

Check Local Regulations

Before you go ahead and start planning for a garden office, make sure you check with local officials first. You want to be extra certain that you can create the garden office without breaking any rules, and that you get the proper permits before you get started.

Now is also the best time to identify the right outdoor space for your office. You cannot just pick a corner and start building; you have to think about lighting, heat and weather conditions in general, and of course, space for the office.

Separation is a key factor here. You want the garden office to be far enough from the main house so that it can be quieter and more private, but you also want to pick a spot that gives you the best lighting without sacrificing a lot of the landscape you already have.

Safety First

The next thing you want to think about is safety. Having a separate building means you have to also secure it. Remember that you’ll be storing office equipment, a computer for working, and other appliances in the garden office. Sufficient security measures must be put in place.

If the garden office is positioned in the corner, you must also think about access from outside the property. What’s behind the wall closest to the office? Is it easy to gain access to the property if you have a structure near the wall?

As an added measure, consider adding a CCTV system to the outbuilding and nearby areas. If you already have a home security system in place, the systems for both buildings can be integrated for easier monitoring.

Design and Plan

The design of the outbuilding will determine how comfortable the garden office is once it is ready for use. You may be tempted to go with a simple, all-enclosed building design, but comfort will not be at a maximum if the garden office is too enclosed.

Your choice of materials matters too. Glass is great for a modern-looking garden office, but it also means you have to take extra steps to make sure that the inside of the office is cosy enough for work. You wouldn’t want to be in a hot space in the middle of the day, would you?

Composite is a great material to consider for decking, cladding, and fencing. Ecoscape UK, a leading name in composite decking and cladding, has a wide range of materials that are perfect for a garden office. You can choose from the available colours and textures for different looks.

Connecting the Garden Office

Once you have a design created and materials picked, it is time to think about how you can connect the outbuilding from the main property. A pathway is the obvious choice, but it is not the only thing to think about when designing the connection.

You also need to think about whether to add shade to the pathway so that you can access the garden office when it rains. Your choice of materials once again plays an important role, along with the shape of the pathway itself.

One thing to also take into account is access to the garden office. Do you want to have access to the garden office only from the house? Or do you need to create additional pathways to the front garden or the garage? Answer these questions and you are ready for the final part.

Getting It Built

The last piece of the puzzle is building the garden office. There are two things you need to decide here, the first one being whether you want to use a prefabricated structure or build a custom one from scratch. This depends highly on your budget and timeframe.

The second part is choosing a contractor for the job. You want to make sure that you are working with a reputable contractor so that you can realise your vision for the perfect garden office without dealing with complications along the way.

With these basics covered, you can start building your garden office and have a new, more comfortable place for working remotely, away from the main property and the distractions that come with working from home. A garden office is a fantastic investment to make right now indeed.

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