Today, approximately 78% of remote workers report that they work for more than 40 hours a week, with 10% of that figure working for around 50-55 hours. As we now spend so much time working from home, it’s never been more important to ensure the space we work from is optimised as much as possible.
Garden office buildings offer a fantastic alternative to working from your kitchen or living room, providing an area that is free from distractions while providing easy access to your home. Today, we’ve gathered seven garden room interior ideas for making your workspace feel bigger, helping you to stay productive in an area specifically designed for your needs.
1. Fill your room with natural light
The quality of your room’s lighting can have a huge impact on how big the room feels, with natural lighting being the best option. This can be achieved through smart design ideas, including a sunroof or large bay windows.
Our standardised range is designed to allow for plenty of natural light, however you can also opt for a bespoke build and further customise your design.
You can also use artificial lighting to make your space feel bigger at night. The key here is to layer your lighting, installing a dimmable overhead light source as well as plenty of lamp light. Aim to purchase lampshades that can create direct light (for activities like reading), as well as a general pool of light.
2. Optimise your furniture layout
It can be incredibly tempting to immediately utilise all of the new space your garden office provides, filling it with as much furniture as you can manage. This will, however, decrease the physical space you have available and make your room feel a lot smaller than it really is.
Before you buy that next piece of furniture for your room, ask yourself – What purpose does this serve? You’ll need a chair and a desk for your work; however, you might also consider a sofa or lounge chair for your breaks.
Another tip is to avoid “chunky or blocky” furniture, instead try furniture that has legs rather than having the space underneath covered by upholstery. This will help to show more floorspace and make your garden room feel bigger.
3. Reduce clutter by cleaning often
Whether it’s two (or three) empty mugs on your desk, or some unsorted paperwork that you’re certain you’ll get to eventually, it’s natural for clutter to build up over time. While a small bin can help you clear your space of rubbish, you’ll need to be a bit more proactive to remove the rest of the clutter.
Start by clearing your desk at the end of each work day and take the offending objects out of your garden room completely. This will help you avoid simply moving clutter endlessly around your working space. Once you’ve finished with your desk, you can then clear up any other clutter from around the room.
4. Try a bright, neutral colour scheme
A neutral colour scheme works very well with natural light to create the feeling of space. Consider the colour you choose to paint the walls, as well as the colour and style of your furniture.
Unsure where to begin? White and bright natural wood colours are a fantastic starting point.
On the other hand, contrasting colours can make your space feel much smaller. For example, darker pieces of furniture against a brighter backdrop will likely clash, drawing your attention to these areas.
5. Keep drapes light and airy
While you should aim to maximise the natural light coming into your workspace, drapes can help to give you extra privacy, especially in the evenings and at night.
Darker drapes block the incoming natural light and will contrast with lighter tones. This isn’t to say that you can’t have unique patterns and colours, however we recommend that you opt for a simpler design that does not distract the eye.
6. Try creative storage methods
Having plenty of storage space is a must for many remote workers, so it’s important to find a balance between having enough storage without intruding on the space you have available. Smart storage can be a real plus – here are a few storage ideas you can try out:
- A pull-out sofa with interior storage
- Tall, vertical bookshelves
- Wall-mounted racks
- Under-shelf storage
- Mobile storage solutions
Where possible, it’s advisable to keep any items you do not need to hand outside of the garden room, as this will help to reduce any potential clutter.
7. Add the illusion of space with a mirror
Lastly, a simple trick you can try today to add the illusion of extra space is to use a large, wall-mounted mirror. This will help to reflect natural light and the room itself making the whole space feel lighter and brighter – you can even opt for mirrors that are built into storage, such as sliding cupboard doors.
Summing up:
Your garden room should be an area where you can relax and engage in deep work. However, clutter and clashing colours can distract your attention and the room itself feel smaller. We hope that these seven ideas for small garden rooms will help you to create a space you can feel comfortable living and working from.
To learn more about our diverse catalogue of garden offices in Kent, call us today on 01689 818 400 or get in touch with our friendly team via email at info@gardenofficebuildings.co.uk.