How to Turn a Shed into an Office
More and more of us have learned that we can work from home and have quickly become accustomed to the many benefits that it offers. It means no sitting in miles of bumper-to-bumper traffic for an hour each way, no paying for overpriced coffee, and no holding your nose while a colleague microwaves fish in the communal microwave.
Working from home can make it easy for work to creep into your personal time as you don’t have the same degree of separation that comes from traveling to an office. There are many things you can do to be more effective while working from home, including keeping regular work hours and dressing like you’re at the office.
You can also create a separate space for you to do your work in while at home.
But if your home is already bursting at the seams, it may be a little difficult to find somewhere that’s dedicated just to your work. Thankfully, you don’t have to look far for a solution, just take a peek outside.
Why a Shed Makes the Perfect Home Office
A shed is the perfect place for your home office for several different reasons, though some of the biggest benefits are:
- It’s segregated - The other goings-on in the house won’t distract you as you’re physically distanced from them.
- There’s mental separation - The 15-second commute across the backyard helps your brain switch between work and home modes.
- Sheds are cheaper - A shed office will cost you much less than constructing other types of building or renting co-working space.
- You’re Closer to Nature - You can watch the birds and other wildlife go about their business as you go about yours.
- It’s Flexible - You can design your office shed to meet your needs rather than trying to adapt an existing room in your home.
How to Make a Shed into an Office
If you like the idea of having your dedicated office space in your backyard or garden, then here are the steps you should take.
Step 1. Plan
Before you start designing or buying anything, you need to properly define what you will need from your shed. To do this, write a list of the things you plan to do in it, such as writing on your computer, attending Zoom calls, or hosting in-person meetings with clients. You’ll also want to consider what furniture and storage you’ll need. For example, if you keep a lot of paper records, you’ll need more than if you only have some stationery to keep tidy.
You’ll also need to consider how you’ll get power to the shed if you plan to run a computer, printer, or other electrical devices. Additionally, you’ll need to think about how you’ll get internet to your shed, though WiFi and powerline adapters can make this easy.
If you want to make hot drinks in the shed without having to walk back to the house, then it’s important to plan how to get a water supply to the shed.
Crucially, it’s also important to consider the size of the space you intend to build your office shed.
Step 2. Choose Your Design
Sheds can be constructed from several different materials, including wood, aluminum, and steel. They also come in several different shapes and sizes. What you choose will depend on your budget, the climate where you live, and your aesthetic preferences.
Based on the requirements you outlined in step 1, choose a shed design that meets your needs, fits in the space you have, and is within your budget.
Thankfully, there are sheds that can fit almost every need and budget with prices starting as low as $2,400.
You’ll also need to consider if you want windows to let in natural light and partitions to create separate rooms in your shed and incorporate this into the design.
Step 3. Consider Insulation and Heating
Depending on where you live, you may need to keep your shed cool in summers and warm in winters. Adding insulation to the walls, floor, and ceiling can help to keep you protected from the elements, reduce your energy bills, and prevent damp.
Electrical heaters are relatively cheap to buy and install for the colder months, and a small AC unit or some desk fans could provide sufficient cooling during the summer.
Step 4. Decorate and Furnish
Once your shed is installed and you’ve added any insulation, you can decorate and furnish it to make it feel more welcoming. Most sheds come pre-treated or painted, but you can restyle the inside with picture frames, rugs, and plants to suit your taste.
Unsure where to start? At Backyard Storage we live and breathe sheds. Get in touch with our team today and we’ll help you find the perfect one for your needs.
Browse our inventory to see all our available sheds, garages, and storage buildings, or come by one of our convenient locations to check out our high quality construction for yourself. You can even use our online configurator to see all the options available to you.