7 Benefits of a Home Office in a Shed

Home Office in a Shed: The Future of Work?

In the past few years, there have been several fairly significant shifts in the way we do work. Much of this was bought about by the pandemic of 2020-2021. With offices closed down, many companies were forced to find alternatives to typical office workspaces. Combined with the rise of internet-based jobs in the past 10-15 years, this shift has made working from home a viable option.

Working from home might sound like a dream, but for some it can be a nightmare. Instead being the golden ticket to the perfect work-life balance everyone strives for, it can actually blurred the lines between work and life outside of work. With the ability to get a few minutes of work done at any time throughout the day, it can be hard to actually turn work “off”. 

A home office in a shed might be the perfect solution. You’ll still have the convenience of working from home, but with the benefit of a dedicated workspace away from typical home life. It’s really the best of both worlds. In this blog, we’ll explore 7 benefits of having a home office in a shed, plus some ideas and tips for a DIY office shed project. 

Contents

• Top 7 Benefits of a Home Office in a Shed
• You Still Have a “Commute”
• Improved Work-Life Balance
• You Have a Distraction-Free Environment
• Design Your Workspace Your Way
• It May Be a Smart Financial Move
• You’ll Feel Like a Professional
• 5 Things Every Home Office in a Shed Should Have
• Lots Of Windows
• Adequate Space
• Great Lighting
• Climate Control
• Personal Design Touches
• Sheds from DuraStor Structures
• Conclusion

Top 7 Benefits of a Home Office in a Shed

1. You Get to Work From Home

The benefties of working from home are obvious. You’re more likely to be able to tailor your work around your personal life, giving you time for what’s actually important. Working from home also allows you to get work done when you feel the most focused, instead of being restricted to 9-5 office hours.

Another great benefit is the reduced commute time. We could all use more time, and working from home often gives you that. If you find yourself in a job where this is possible, creating a home office in a shed is a great way to take advantage of that.

2. You Still Have a “Commute”

While most of us would prefer a shorter or even no commute, there are actually a few reasons why commutes can be a good thing. One, it gives you a time of transition between work and home so you have some mental and physical separation between your work life and home life. 

With a home office in a shed, you’ll still have some separation between work life and home life. Even if it’s just a short walk to your home office shed, it might just be enough to give you that extra time to properly transition between work and home.

3. Improved Work-Life Balance

A negative aspect of working from home is that it’s rather hard to actually turn “off” after working in your home office all day. Even in the evenings after working all day, you might be tempted to get work some work in when you have a spare moment. 

A home office in a shed in your backyard is really the best of both worlds. You have the mental and physical separation from your work that working away from home offers, with the convenience and flexibility of working from a home office.

4. You Have a Distraction-Free Environment

Let’s face it. As good as working from home sounds, most people tend to struggle with productivity in this environment. Whether it’s your children begging for attention, the next task on your to-do list, or a tasty snack in the refrigerator, there are a lot of things that can keep you from actual work. With a home office shed in your backyard, you’ll have a dedicated workspace, where can create an environment free of distractions so you can focus on getting things done.

5. Design Your Workspace Your Way

If you work from an office most of your life, it makes sense to design your workspace to fit your tastes and preferences. The style of your home office in your house might be restricted to the paint themes and size of your home, leaving you with a workspace that may be boring and uninspiring.

With a home office in a shed, you can design a workspace that suits your needs and preferences. You can choose from a variety of design themes, and add the decor that inspires you. 

6. It May Be a Smart Financial Move

On the surface, buying a shed for an office may seem unnecessary and expensive, especially when you already have a home office. However, there are a few good financial reasons for a home office shed. 

One is that you’ll probably be more productive, possibly leading to more career opportunities with higher pay. The second reason is that if you are self-employed, it’s possible your shed could be considered a business expense and therefore, eligible as a tax deduction. Thirdly, a home office in a shed could add value to your property, making it a more attractive buy, should you opt to sell it some day.  

Your home office in a shed could also double as a reading room or man cave, so you can get more value out of your office shed.

7. You’ll Feel Like a Professional

As the saying goes, “Dress for the job you want.” Working in your kitchen in your pajamas may sound fantastic, but in reality, it’s a recipe for sloppy work. The fact is, your appearance and environment has a direct effect on the professionalism of your work. Having a workspace that actually looks like a workspace helps you get in the right headspace for work. Not to mention, you’ll look more professional on those video calls.

5 Things Every Home Office in a Shed Should Have

When your creating a home office in a shed, it’s important to have the right ingredients to make your workspace great. Here are a few things that you should focus on.

1. Lots Of Windows

An office with a view? Yes, please! With your own home office in a shed, you can finally have the office view you’ve always dreamed of. Not only do windows give you a great view of the outdoors, it’s actually much better for your physical and mental wellbeing.

There are tons of benefits to getting more natural light into our environment, especially for those of us who spend much of our day indoors. According to a study done in 2011,  office workers that spent more time viewing natural light actually took fewer sick days than others. You can read about other great benefits to an office with plenty of natural light in this blog. .

2. Adequate Space

It might be tempting to get a smaller shed to save some money, but it’s important to carefully consider your wants and needs. After all, you’ll be spending a large amount of your time there. Give yourself enough room for your desk, decor, and maybe even room for a treadmill or some weights for a quick workout. 

3. Great Lighting

If your idea of working in an office is toiling for hours under old, flickering lights or harsh lights bright enough to perform an operation, perhaps it’s time to reconsider. With your own home office in a shed, you can install the lighting the gives the perfect ambience. 

Be sure to add dimmer switches so you can adjust your lights to the perfect brightness. You can even add to different lighting stages on different switches that matches your mood. Here’s a great blog with more info on optimal office lighting.

4. Climate Control

This one may be obvious, but it’s also very important. If you want a workspace that’s optimized for productivity, make sure you have plenty of ventilation, heating, and air conditioning. Adding a mini-split unit is a great way to add efficient climate control. 

5. Personal Design Touches

Here’s where it gets fun. Get creative and create a workspace that inspires you and allows you to do some focused work. There are many design themes to choose from, whether it’s a hunting lodge theme or a modern and minimalist aesthetic. Here’s a great article with some home office design inspiration.

Sheds from DuraStor Structures

• The Garden Shed Max: These sheds are a great choice for home office  conversion, with it’s beautiful design profile and the optional extras. Some great add-ons for this style include the optional front porch, additional windows, and a transom dormer.

• The Utility Shed:If you’re looking for a simple, reliable shed, this is the one for you. It’s built to stand up to years of hard use and harsh weather, but doesn’t have all of the features as our other models. It’s a great, economical solution to your storage needs.

• The Lofted Barn Max: If you love a barn style shed, or simply need extra interior space, this is the shed could be perfect for a home office conversion. The arched trusses give it a barn like profile and lots of interior space. This model comes equipped with 1 or 2 lofts, depending on the size.
• The Garage Shed: If you want something even bigger, take a look at the garage shed. This model is big enough for vehicle storage and other large items. It’s also a great choice for workshop, with optional add-ons like a work bench and shelving.

Conclusion

If you find yourself with a job where remote work is possible, even if it’s only part of the time, a home office in a shed is something you should consider. If you need any help deciding on the perfect shed for your DIY workspace project, we’d be happy to help.