Top Tips To Create A Log Cabin Office

As working from home has changed from a pipe dream to a reality for many of us over the past year, the demand for home office space has never been higher. Avoiding a long commute is a major plus point for some, but it is also important to have somewhere distraction-free and comfortable at home to carry out your job role.

For those without a convenient spare bedroom to work in, installing a log cabin in the garden is an excellent solution to the problem of where to work most effectively from home. Building an extension or converting a loft can be expensive, time-consuming, messy, and disruptive, whereas a garden room is extremely quick and easy to assemble.

Pick the right location

It is advisable to put your home office log cabin as far away from the house as possible! The firmer boundary between home and office will make it less likely that your family members or neighbours will be tempted to pop in for a chat just when you are in the middle of a crucial task. 

Having that psychological space between your home as a place to relax in, and your office as a place of work, is also important. Even the short walk over the garden can create a distance which prevents your home life and professional life from spilling over into each other, which is good for overall mental wellbeing.

Also check out the position of the sun at different times of day and seasons, as you don’t want the full glare of the sun on summer afternoons. Neither do you want to be in a permanently shady sunless spot in the winter, or you will spend more on heating bills.

Make sure it is suitable to work in all year round

If working from home is going to be a permanent arrangement, you will want to make sure you can work comfortably in your cabin whatever the weather. Look for insulated roofs and floors, and the thicker cladding options to make sure it is cool in summer and warm in winter.

You will also need some form of heating.  This could be from oil-filled radiators, or underfloor pipes connected to your fuel supply, or an external air-source heat pump. Underfloor heating is a good option to maximise the internal space.

Double-glazing will help to keep the cabin warm and reduce your overall energy bills, so it is worth the investment if you will be working full time from home. You will also need to ensure it is connected to the electricity supply for power points and lighting, and broadband, and the water mains, if you want to add a small bathroom or sink to the cabin.

Think about the interior furnishings

You are likely to need some storage space in your garden office, depending on what your job involves. Wall mounted shelves are ideal to make the best use of space. It is also a great opportunity to completely rethink your working practice: could you switch to a standing desk for example, which is great to maintain fitness and good posture.