Outdoor Sheds
Outdoor Sheds – Not Just For Lawn Equipment
Outdoor sheds are designed in many styles and sizes. This affords a multiplicity of uses for homeowners. Turning a shed into a home office is an idea that offers quiet work space that lends itself to higher levels of productivity. A backyard shed turns a garden space into a perfect work area with scenic beauty that is calming and inspiring.
The Office Shed
Converting an outdoor shed into a home office is an adventure. Most home offices are no larger than 12 ft x 12 ft. When purchasing an outdoor shed consider the office furnishings to be installed in the interior and an adequate amount of floor space to accommodate a desk, filing cabinets and computer equipment. A cement slab floor of a width slightly larger than the actual shed size will be required if one is not already installed. Choose a shed that has at least one or two windows for best light during daytime hours. Create a plan of how the shed will fit into a back garden space as well as how office furniture will be arranged.
Heating and Cooling Your Outdoor Shed
One way to maintain a heating and cooling system in a small converted outdoor shed is to install electrical wiring or solar panels on the roof to maintain adequate warmth and cooling for year-round usage. Some outdoor sheds can be built with solar panels as the sidings as well. This helps cut energy costs when the outdoor shed is in use. The cost for these solar panels on a small structure like a shed is minimal in comparison to a full-sized home.
Your Office Garden
Since your office will be in an outdoor shed in a back garden, it’s a good idea to install a stepping stone path for additional eye appeal. This can be accompanied by a border of flowers on either side of the path for additional beauty. Install window boxes beneath the outdoor shed windows for colorful plants like English ivy or annuals. At the base of the outdoor shed, plant pretty roses or boxwood to give it a finished look.
Designing The Interior of A Converted Outdoor Shed
The interior of a converted outdoor shed should look like an office space without compromising comfort. Add carpeting or wood tiles over the cement slab. Locate an office desk in a central area of the outdoor shed. Since the overall size of the outdoor shed is small, it’s best to try and give the space as much open area to work in as possible. Filing cabinets and computer equipment can be located ergonomically so that it is convenient to the desk workspace. Do add a comfortable chair or a drawing board for design work. Be sure to provide as much lighting as possible. A skylight on the outdoor shed roof might be helpful to increase lighting. An outdoor shed can double as an office in a back garden quite satisfactorily with a little planning.