Interiors
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By Katherine Sorrell
Working in the garden Setting up an office or studio in the garden may be the ideal solution to pressure on space inside the house. Here we outline some points to consider before you start. If the future of work is at least partially at home, many of us are going to have to think long and hard about where to set up permanently. Sharing the dining table with the kids or perching on the end of the bed are not going to suffice long term, and although using a spare room as an office can be a great solution, it’s not ideal if you have regular guests to stay, or simply need the storage space. The answer may be a garden building that’s set up as a fully functioning work area – with the bonus of some welcome separation from domestic distractions, but an enjoyably short commute. The first place to start is with an assessment of how you’ll use the building. While a tiny office with not much more than a desk, chair and shelf will suit some, others may require a lot more floor space, specially designed storage, larger-than-average windows or additional security, for example. Most
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people will want electricity in their new outdoor office, but will you also need a landline, a sink with running water, a kitchenette or a WC? Next come decisions about quality, size and position. For comfortable working, and to add value to your property, a garden office should be built using good quality materials and to a high standard. Ideally, its style will complement that of the house and garden, adding to the overall aesthetic appeal. On a practical level, insulation is vital. Think walls, floors and roof if the space is going to be used beyond the summer months, with double glazing and draught proofing around doors and windows. Heating is important, too. Many owners of garden studios use electric convention heaters, which can be thermostatically controlled on 24-hour timers. Electric radiators are great, while wood burners look gorgeous and are super-cosy (but must be professionally installed). Considerations of security are equally important. If anything valuable is going to be stored in the space, glass windows (perhaps even double glazed) are infinitely better than plastic, and a
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