In the past year, millions of people across the UK have been forced to work from home because of the coronavirus pandemic, and in 2021 remote working is set to continue.
That being said, the health emergency may have served to accelerate the inevitable with the Telegraph reporting that one in four people could be working from home permanently.
Companies are now planning for ongoing change to employment patterns with flexible working taking precedence.
The past 12 months have given us time to reassess our priorities with us all spending more time at home, but this has also led to a blurring of boundaries. No longer does the workday end when we leave the office at 5pm, but instead has for many seeped into every aspect and hour of our day. As such, it has never been more important to establish a healthy balance between your work and personal life by ensuring that when your workday ends, you can switch off.
Naturally, many people are struggling with this task as unconsciously we begin to associate work with our home, forcing the brain to stay alert, switched on and causing us to be unable to truly relax which is why creating a dedicated space for work is key.
Garden room offices create the ideal space for you to focus, work and most importantly create separation.
With this in mind, here we will be taking you through our top tips on how to turn your garden room into a productive and professional office environment.
The layout
It may appear to be an inconsequential aesthetic choice, but your office layout can have a significant impact on your creativity, productivity, focus, and morale on a daily basis. The best office space is one that is kept clean, tidy and clutter-free with many studies demonstrating how those with a tidy workspace can work more efficiently and more consistently. A tidy desk is a tidy mind, but that is not the only trick you can use to optimise your garden room office. By positioning your laptop or computer against your window you can help to not only avoid screen glare but also improve your state of mind with a better view. Staring at a wall for eight hours a day is enough to drive anyone mad, which is why your office layout should be optimised to face into your gorgeous garden space.
If there is space available, you may also want to consider creating a more relaxed area in your garden room office. Something as simple as a sofa and a coffee table or a comfy armchair and side table can also help to separate work from relaxation throughout the day to boost productivity. Allowing yourself to step away from the desk and take a few minutes in a more comfortable setting during your day is a great way to maximise your working potential.
Make it unique!
One of the easiest ways to create the best garden room office is to design a space that is entirely unique to you. According to recent research, those who have control over the design and layout of their workspace are not only happier and healthier, but they are also up to 32 per cent more productive! The ideal office space is one that best suits your needs, requirements, and desires; whether you have always wanted fun-coloured walls, a coffee station, a quirky neon sign or anything else you can think of. By allowing yourself to design a space that makes you feel happy and excited to work in, you will become more motivated, passionate, and focused on your work.
Keep it green!
One of the biggest benefits from having a garden room office is that you can be surrounded by nature! With one in five adults in the UK now suffering from anxiety and depression, it has never been more important to facilitate working environments that help to promote a positive atmosphere. By positioning your garden room to face towards the sunlight and into green space in your garden, you can ensure that you are exposed to sufficient levels of vitamin D as well as being closer to nature. We often find ourselves taking our green space for granted but anyone who has been stuck in a dull office block five days a week will be able to appreciate the unique working opportunity that garden room offices offer. The best garden room offices are those which integrate nature into their design, to allow for a more relaxing and balanced space.
Planning ahead
Finally, we move onto the more practical considerations of creating your ideal garden room office which takes into account how it will be used in the future. It is important to consider how well insulated your garden room is and if you will require any heating elements inside, particularly if you will be using your office in the colder and darker winter months. This may also mean installing a motion sensor light on the exterior of the garden room to ensure you are able to commute to safely and from your home in the dark.
Other areas of consideration may include lighting, electrical outlets, or plumbing – depending on your office space requirements. The best office space is one that can easily adapt with your future needs so it is important to mention these to your chosen garden room contractor!
If you, like many others, are eager to create a more balanced work environment in 2021 and think a garden room office might be the solution for you then don’t hesitate to contact us at Garden Room Sanctuary today on 0175 646 1696 or email us at enquiries@nullgardenroomsanctuary.co.uk.