Home offices: when the office is just at the end of the garden

With more of us now working from home (3.5million according to TUC figures), it’s becoming increasingly important to add a smart, efficient workspace to our properties. No longer is it sufficient to use a corner of the living room. Anyone who works at a professional level needs a dedicated office. And if there isn’t a suitable room within the home, then why not create one outside?

A growing number of companies are offering contemporary garden home offices to meet this need. These are a far cry from the old garden shed. Some chic designs are available off-the-peg; others are bespoke studios with add-on extras like special storage facilities, kitchens, shower and cloakroom. Buildings are designed for all-year-round use, being well-insulated (double-glazed, often with underfloor heating) and soundly made (generally from sustainable materials). Some even have a sedum roof, planted with succulents and herbs, to blend in with the surroundings. Utilities are supplied by pipes and cables under the lawn.