Bring work closer to home with a garden office

New figures from the Office for National Statistics have recently revealed that there has been an increase in the number of people working from home. Over the last decade a growing percentage of employees have chosen to ditch the commute and bring their working life closer to home.

Home working has risen from 9.2% in 2001 to 10.7% in 2011, with figures estimated to have increased further still over the last two years. Many believe that this increase is due to technological advances that allow for easier and more efficient home working. So how can working from home benefit employees? Does swapping the company workplace for a home office make a difference?

• Cutting the commute. An average 45 minute commute racks up 195 hours over the working year. That’s a 195 hours of not being in bed, not spending time with your family, not working. It’s certainly 195 hours you’re not being paid for. Working from home cuts the commute and gives you those 195 hours back for something much more worthwhile.
• Reducing costs. Commuting aside, working from home can also reduce a number of other costs. Lunch breaks are cheaper and there are no more impulse buys on the route home. If you’re worried about bills, don’t forget that self-employed home workers can claim a percentage of their heating, electricity and phone costs against their expenses. Building a separate garden office at home will give you the option to install eco-friendly energy methods and keep your space warm without heating the whole house.
• Creating a work/life balance. The main concern for prospective home workers is finding a line between the work and home life balance. A garden office makes this a much easier task, giving you a space that you can shut the door on at the end of the day. Separating the area you work in from the area you play in, at home, you can gain the benefits of both without the trek in between.        
• Natural inspiration. While there are some exceptions, an average office typically lacks some inspiration. Choosing to work from home in a garden office gives you the opportunity to create a space that is truly motivating. Working in a natural space has a number of benefits for home workers including improved concentration, productivity and creativity. Our aim is to be as eco-friendly as possible from bottom to top, you can relax knowing that your new home office isn’t hurting the environment.

If you’re considering taking the leap into home working, think about the space you have available and how you can make it suitable for your career. Our garden offices are more than a posh shed or an overpriced wooden box, they’re designed to be an inspirational and tranquil environment away from the distractions of home life and the busy chaos of the commuter world. Even if your work is just a short walk down the garden path, the separation can help you focus and improve your productivity. Thanks to our flexible designs, as your business grows your office can expand with you so that you only need to invest in space as and when you need to.