What is a Home Garden Office?

A home garden office is your own professional workspace that is located in your garden.

It is a separate space detached from the house with its own power, heat, and cooling. You can use it to run your business, work from home, or study.

Why Is This a Viable Option?

Simply put. You will receive zero distractions since it will be well insulated from the main house. They come in many shapes and sizes and can even be customized to your needs.

According to the Office of National Statistics more than a third (38%) of UK, workers worked from home in mid-May 2021.

This means more and more families now need an additional workspace that is free from distractions, yet still close to home.

A garden office is a perfect solution for this as it can be built to your specific requirements and offers a greater level of privacy than working from a spare room or kitchen table.

For the rest of the guide, we’ll look at both the pros and cons of each space which should help you make a more informed decision.

Related: 298 UK And US Home Improvement Statistics

Home Garden Office Pros

Perfect for home and work-life balance

It’s very hard to separate home and work life when they both occupy the same space. This is especially true if you have young children. A home garden office can help to alleviate some of this stress by giving you a professional space to work in that is completely separate from your living area.

A separate space with no interruptions

Following on from that last point, the likelihood is that you will have zero distractions if your office is in the garden. This is a great advantage for those who need to get work done without any interruptions.

Can have a specialized built-in desk

Since you can design the interior space to your personal needs, it’s likely that you will be able to find or build your own desk that perfectly suits the space. This can make working from home a lot more comfortable and efficient.

A great study area for the kids

This office can be used by the whole family, including your kids. If you set it up as a study area, they will have their own space to do their homework in that is away from the main house and all of its distractions.

Zoom type meetings can be carried out in total silence

If you regularly host or attend zoom-style meetings, then you’ll know that background noise can be a huge issue. With a home garden office, you can guarantee total silence during your meetings, giving you the professional edge.

Also, if a member of your family needs to ask you something, they can clearly see that you are on a call and will not disturb you.

Insulated for heat and to block out external noise

The vast majority of home garden offices are well insulated to keep out the cold in winter and the heat in summer. This means that you can work in a comfortable environment all year round without having to worry about the temperature outside.

In addition, the insulation will also help to block out any external noise, meaning you can concentrate on your work without any distractions.

Can be designed to your specifications

You can either buy one of these offices off the shelf or choose to have one designed for a more bespoke feel. If you have specific needs or want a unique look, then this is the perfect option for you.

Can double up as a man cave

We were in two minds about including this one, but we thought it was worth mentioning! If you are a man who likes his own space, then this could be the perfect solution.

Of course, this is just a generic term and in essence, this could be a private space for any member of the family.

Can be positioned as close or far away from the house

When you are constructing your office, you have the choice of how close or far away you want it to be from your house. If you want to be close to home for easy access, then this is not a problem.

On the other hand, if you want more privacy and distance between work and home life, then you can position it further away. It’s entirely up to you!

Now, this will depend on the size of your garden, but generally speaking, you have a lot of flexibility with where you can position your office.

Can have a separate heating system

If you have gas central heating in your home, then you have the choice of choosing the same or having something different for your office.

This is a great way to save on energy bills as you can have the heating turned off in the main house while you are working.

If you want to be eco-friendly, you can even install a wood-burning stove or opt for solar panels to power and heat your office.

Can have separate air conditioning

Along with a separate heating system, you can also install air conditioning in your office. This is perfect for those hot summer days when you don’t want the heat to affect your work environment.

You can also use this system during the winter to keep your office nice and warm depending on the spec of the system that you choose.

Adds value to your home

Anyone looking for a new home that needs a lot of extra space will be very interested in a property that has a home garden office. This is because it shows that the owner has their own business and is working from home.

This can add value to your home and could be the deciding factor for some buyers.

An extra room that is functional

There’s not much functionality when using a spare room as an office. Oftentimes it is the smallest room in the house and can be quite cramped.

A home garden office will add an extra room that is both functional and stylish at the same time. It’s a great way to make use of any spare land that you have in your garden.

View of both the house and your garden

It can be really nice to look out of the window and see both your house and garden while you are working. This is something that you can’t really get from a standard office environment.

You may even find that it improves your overall mental health to have this connection with nature while you are working.

Can build a separate toilet

We left this as the last pro on the list because very few people will actually need this feature. However, it is worth mentioning as some people may find it useful.

If you do a lot of client meetings or have a lot of employees working for you, then you may want to consider installing a toilet in your office.

This will save you from having to go into the main house every time you need the bathroom and will be much more convenient for everyone involved.

So, that’s it for the pros of having a home garden office. As you can see, there are quite a few benefits to this type of setup and it is definitely worth considering if you are looking for more space.

Now, let’s take a look at the cons of having a home garden office. Fortunately, there are not as many as the pros!

Home Garden Office Cons

More expensive to build and decorate

When you build a conservatory, the long-term maintenance is pretty low once erected. However, this is not the same for a home garden office.

This is because it needs to be properly insulated and soundproofed in order to be an effective working environment.

This means that it will be more expensive to build and decorate than a conservatory would be.

You will also need to decorate the inside of your office to make it feel like a proper working environment. This can be expensive depending on the style that you are going for.

Not as much natural light

While a conservatory gets a lot of natural light, this is not always the case for a home garden office.

This is because the walls and roof need to be thicker in order to insulate the room properly. This means that there will be less glass area and therefore less natural light entering the room.

You can combat this by installing some skylights or windows on the roof, but it will still not be as bright as a conservatory.

Takes up more space in your garden

As we mentioned before, a home garden office will take up more space in your garden than a conservatory would.

This is because it needs to be big enough to fit all of your office furniture as well as leave enough space to move around easily.

If you have a small garden, then this may not be the best option for you as you will be left with very little outdoor space.

Another building to maintain

This will be another building in your garden that you will need to maintain. This means that you may need to paint the outside and keep the roof in good condition.

You will also need to make sure that the windows and doors are kept in good working order. All of this can be a lot of work and is something that you should take into consideration before making your final decision.

Walking back and forth means you can get wet or get cold

Depending on the size of your garden and where your home garden office is located, you may have to walk quite a long way to get to it.

This means that you could potentially get wet if it’s raining or cold if it’s winter.

You will need to dress appropriately for the weather conditions and make sure that you have a warm coat or umbrella to hand.

So that’s both the pros and cons of having a home garden office. As you can see, there are some definite advantages and disadvantages to this type of setup.

You will need to weigh up all of the factors before making your final decision. However, we think that the pros definitely outweigh the cons and that a home garden office is a great option for anyone who is looking for more space.

What is a Conservatory Home Office?

A conservatory home office is a room that is attached to your house but is predominantly made out of glass, so it feels like you are working in the garden. It is a great option if you want to have an office that gets a lot of natural light.

Why Is This a Viable Option?

If you already have a conservatory, then adding a desk and a chair should be fairly easy. You will have a lot of space to work in, and you will be able to get natural light during the day.

If you don’t have a conservatory, then it is still a viable option as they are not as expensive to build as home garden offices. A conservatory office can also double up as a living area or a play area for your children.

Conservatory Home Office Pros

Natural Light for a healthful life

As you know, the conservatory is the one room in your house that receives the most light.

This is because it has a glass roof and walls. It means that you will be able to get natural light during the day, which is great for your health.

It has been proven that exposure to natural light can improve your mood, help you to sleep better at night, and boost your overall health.

In fact, studies have shown that workers in windowless environments reported poorer scores than their piers that had an environment with windows. [1]

Brings the house and garden together

Think of a conservatory as a bridge between the indoors and outdoors.

It is a room that is made out of glass, so you can see right into your garden. This means that you will be able to connect with nature more easily and will feel like you are working in the garden.

This can be really beneficial if you are feeling stressed or need to take a break from your work. It is a great way to relax and rejuvenate yourself.

No planning permission needed

In most cases, you do not need planning permission to build a conservatory, which is great news. This means that you can have a home office in your garden without having to go through the hassle of getting planning permission.

However, this is subject to

In most cases, planning permission is NOT necessary for a conservatory because adding one to your home is usually allowed under ‘permitted development’ rules – but this is subject to certain conditions.

On the 25th of May 2019, The Government made the official announcement allowing homeowners in England to construct bigger extensions WITHOUT planning permission.

UK law now states…

• A semi-detached and terraced home CAN make additions up to 6m WITHOUT planning permission.
• Also, Detached houses CAN now add large structures up to 8m WITHOUT planning permission.

As long as your conservatory does not have a negative impact on your neighbor’s living space, you won’t need planning permission.

You have the opportunity to build a conservatory or a single-story extension without planning if:

• It measures a maximum height of 4m or 3m, depending on whether it is within 2m of a property line (if within 2m).
• The conservatory does not cover more than half the garden.
• A roof ridge or top point is not higher than the eaves of a home’s roof.
• Your side extensions don’t extend beyond half the width of your house.

Further information

These rules summarise the text of Schedule 2, Part A, Class A of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended).

The government’s website has comprehensive information about these regulations, including illustrative answers to questions you may have. It also provides detailed instructions on how to follow them. ‘Permitted development rights for householders: technical guidance.

This advice is essential reading to assist you to understand how permitted development rules apply to the unique circumstances of any proposal.

The cheapest way to add an extra room

Since you don’t need to employ expensive architects, apply for permits or pay for planning permission, a conservatory is the cheapest way to add an extra room to your home.

It is a great option if you need some extra space but don’t want to move house.

A conservatory is also a much cheaper option than building an extension, which can be very costly.

Extensions can often cost upwards of £20,000, whereas a conservatory can be built for as little as £5,000.

Will increase the value of your house

Even though it is a small increase, a conservatory will increase the value of your house by around 5-10% (so, not a bad investment).

This is because it adds more living space to your home and makes it more desirable for potential buyers.

In recent times, it is more of a deciding factor for homebuyers between two properties, especially if they have children. This is because a conservatory can be used for multiple different purposes, such as a playroom, home office, or dining room.

Create an interior ambiance

This is probably a fancy way of saying that a conservatory will make your home look nicer.

And this is definitely true – a well-decorated conservatory can add an extra layer of luxury to your home.

It can also help to brighten up a dark room and create a sense of space.

Variety of choices are available

If you are looking to buy a conservatory you’ll find that there is a lot more choice available than there used to be.

This is because they are now made from a variety of different materials, such as aluminum, wood, and PVCu.

You can also choose from a range of different styles, such as:

• Lean-to conservatory
• Victorian conservatory
• Edwardian conservatory
• Gable-end conservatory

The type of conservatory you choose will depend on your budget, the style of your house, and your personal preferences.

FAQs

What about an orangery?

This is a great question. For those who are unfamiliar with the term, an orangery is a brick building with large windows and a flat roof that has glass lanterns.

The main difference between a conservatory and an orangery is that an orangery has a solid roof, whereas a conservatory generally has a glass roof.

Orangeries are becoming increasingly popular in the UK as they offer all the benefits of a conservatory but with some extra features.

For example, an orangery will keep your house warmer in the winter as it has a solid roof, which helps to insulate the room.

They also tend to be quieter than conservatories as they don’t have glass roofs.

Note: There are now some specialist companies that will turn your glass roof into a solid roof should you want this.

Conservatory Home Office Cons

Likely working on a kitchen table or small desk

Let’s be honest since there is normally one walkway and two entrance/exits in a conservatory you are probably going to be limited in space.

This means that you are likely going to be working on a kitchen table or small desk.

This isn’t the most ideal working situation especially if you are not working from a laptop or tablet and need somewhere to place your Computer tower, printer, and paper.

As you can imagine, this sort of space can get pretty untidy fairly quickly and is prone to increase the fact that you can lose important documents.

Can be very cold in the winter

If you’re lucky, you can close off your conservatory to the main house. But, if you have a small heater or worse, no heater, this won’t be the most comfortable place to work in the winter.

Window glare can be an issue

Depending on where your conservatory is situated, you may have issues with window glare.

This is when the sun shines directly into your eyes and makes it difficult to see your computer screen or paperwork.

Can be too warm in the summer

We’ve all experienced those hot summer days where we just can’t seem to cool down no matter what we do.

The last thing you want is to be stuck in a conservatory that feels like a sauna.

If you don’t have air conditioning then this could make working in your conservatory unbearable during the summer months.

This means it will be hard to concentrate and impossible to get work done.

Hard to work without distractions

If your conservatory does not have a door to effectively close you off from the rest of your house then you may find it hard to concentrate.

You may also find that you are constantly being interrupted by family members or pets.

This can make it very difficult to get work done and be productive in your home office.

Even if you have a door, it is still easier to be distracted since most conservatories are either attached to the living room or kitchen. This means every time someone walks by, you can’t help but stop working to see what’s going on.

Hard to regulate the temperature

Heating your conservatory on the face of it seems quite easy, but, when you have a room with so much exposure to the outdoors, it can be tricky to make sure that the temperature is just right.

If your conservatory gets too cold in the winter, it will be hard to concentrate.

On the other hand, if it gets too hot in the summer, you’ll be constantly sweating and struggling to stay cool.

Either way, it can be difficult to maintain a comfortable working temperature in your conservatory home office.

Noisey on a rainy day

Have you ever sat in a conservatory during a light rain shower and heard the sound of the raindrops on the roof?

Well, if you’re trying to work in your conservatory home office then this can be a major distraction.

The sound of the rain can be quite relaxing but it’s definitely not ideal if you’re trying to focus on a task.

So there you have it, some pros and cons of having a conservatory home office.

Home Garden Office vs a Conservatory Home Office

Now you have a good grasp of the pros and cons of each office. Let’s compare the two in the table below:

Conclusion

I hope this guide not only answered the question of a Home Garden Office vs a Conservatory Home Office but also helped you make an informed decision on which type of office would be best for you.

If you're still undecided, I would recommend going with a home garden office as it has more pros than cons and can be used all year round.

It also has a ton of different uses and can be used by the whole family for both work and study.

If you are on a budget, there are several off-the-shelf home garden office options that can be tailored to your specific needs.

References:

[1] Impact of Windows and Daylight Exposure on Overall Health and Sleep Quality of Office Workers: A Case-Control Pilot Study - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4031400/