Ever since the pandemic, attitudes towards working from home have been completely transformed with a massive slide towards home working. And what better way to carve out a dedicated WFH space than creating a dreamy garden office? Whether you have the luxury of a roomy summer house with sun-facing windows or a small shed you can repurpose, here are 12 garden office interior ideas to get you started.
First, though, let’s delve into some of the crucial considerations that may help or hinder you in achieving the garden office interior setup to die for. You can skip pastif you already feel well-clued up.
What to look for in a garden office: 3 key considerations
Working from home comes with ample benefits from starting off your shift in your PJs to shaving time off the commute, which you can then spend with your loved ones. All well and good, you may be thinking. But it’s not all smooth sailing.
Without the strict routine of the office or a comfortable workspace that allows your creativity to flourish, you might find yourself in the danger zone – and by that, I mean procrastination, a lack of concentration and avoidable stress that all lead to the same destination…
To dodge this and otherwise improve your WFH experience, it’s a good idea to curate your space, tailoring it to your needs. Here are three of the most important considerations to make whilst doing so.
Functionality
A well-designed office takes into account the overall functionality of the space. Is it a temporary office? Will others be sharing the space? Will it need to be multifunctional to accommodate other purposes such as a chill zone for your guests?
Either way, you will have to plan accordingly. This means opting for slimline office pieces if you need to squeeze in two desks or zoning the space if it’s going to serve multiple functions. If you have a budget that will get you a long way, you may even want to think about utilities like plumbing, heating or Wi-Fi extenders.
Space and workflow
Leading on from the previous consideration, the layout and amount of space you’ve got to work with can sometimes limit which garden office interior ideas are realistically feasible. When you’re planning the space, don’t forget about clearance zones between items of furniture.
Ideally, a 60cm minimum between workstations or a desk and other furniture will do. And you’ll want to leave enough room to move about on your desk chair comfortably without bumping into anything.
Atmosphere
Studies have shown that window views and smaller offices improve productivity, which is great news if you’re planning to convert a stuffy garden building into your stay-at-home work retreat. Even if you don’t care for nice views, the logic remains that a good working environment and positive office vibe will make your job a whole lot easier.
What’s more, establishing a dedicated workspace can help you maintain a healthier work-life balance. So, ensure it has a distinct atmosphere and appearance that you can’t subconsciously associate with leisure time.
12 garden office interior ideas to inspire
It’s what you’ve been waiting for. From ultra-modern pods and airy summerhouses to the humble converted shed, there are so many garden office interior ideas that will work beautifully within the space available. Here are 12 we’ve curated to help you boost your productivity and well-being.
1. Contrast patterns and plain
An effective way to showcase your personality and add a pop of colour (and cheer) to your office is to contrast fun patterns against white cabinets or colourful cabinets against white-washed walls. Bring the space to life with unique patterns and other colourful detailing.
2. Go for clashing motifs
Love the patterns but not the plain? Well, instead of introducing character against a simple backdrop, you could opt for a pattern clash for a more high-fashion look. Again, bold wallpaper choices are an easy way to flood the space with visual intrigue. Match it with equally stimulating textiles and flooring and you can create a statement with a purposeful interior designed look.
3. Don’t neglect seating arrangements
It’s easily overlooked, but your seating choice can drastically alter the ambience and feel of a space. Don’t feel as though you’re stuck with an ugly desk chair. There’s a lot more out there than first meets the eye, we promise you.
You can get your hands on a deliciously comfy ergonomic desk chair or you could skip the desk chair entirely and opt for something more opulent such as this stunning Leather and Harris Tweed Chair.
4. Splash the walls with moody colours
Bathe your walls in rich, velvety colours and you can transform your perception of the space. Darker shades typically lend to cosy spaces and if you take the colour right up to the ceiling you can create a cocooning effect, ideal if you need your workspace to feel safe and intimate.
Pair this with complementary furniture with similar hues and you can strike a subtle balance. For example, when picking out wooden furniture, dark mahogany and walnut blend in gorgeously with deep reds or even blue greens. Cool tones, however, are more likely to work well with lighter woods such as oak or pine.
5. Take the outdoors in
One of the biggest trends we’ve seen in the interior design world over the last few years has been biophilic design, which in a nutshell incorporates bringing nature into indoor spaces, using organic materials and adding greenery into the space for a harmonious environment.
For your garden office interior, this may involve adding potted plants to its exterior, refreshing the walls with soothing neutrals and cleansing greens, or even opting for furniture which has had a previous life such as these reclaimed barstools or wooden furniture that has been upcycled.
6. Dress up your windows
Just because you’re working in a tiny, narrow room doesn’t mean you’re limited in style. Oh no, quite the opposite. Get creative and dress up your windows with layers of window treatments and hanging decorations, so you can shade your eyes from the sun and have something gorgeous to look up at.
7. Wallpaper a garden office nook
One of our favourite garden office interior ideas involves carving out a nook for your workstation by wallpapering a small section with mural wallpaper. This way you create a visual divide between the room’s respective zones. Use a thin chair and you can tuck it well out of the way when it’s not in use.
8. Optimise the lighting
Lighting your garden office isn’t that different from lighting a small room with low ceilings. For one, it’s absolutely essential to get the placement right otherwise it’ll start looking dingy and cramped. It’s also a good idea to consider zoning the room with light fixtures with task lighting where you need it and softer ambient lighting filling the room with a sense of calm.
9. Try a hideaway office
When it comes to furnishing a particularly small garden office interior, ergonomic, space-saving desks can help you win back precious space. Complete the look with furniture that doubles up as hidden storage such as this coffee table and maintain the semblance of order and tidiness without compromising on precious space.
10. Bring to life with an accent wall
An accent wall is a brilliant way to decorate if you’re limited by budget or space. Select a wallpaper that really speaks to you and top it off with a sleek console table and a standing lamp to make a lasting impact.
11. Introduce a sofa
We’ve talked about small spaces, but what if you’re working with a large garden office interior? We say stick in a comfy sofa. This way you’ll have a cosy spot just a few steps away from your desk for you to take a call or relax between tasks, ideal if you’re a working parent.
12. Create a treasure trove of curiosities
What’s an office without personalised decorations? Whether you’re one for framed inspirational quotes, photos of your loved ones or organic artwork, there are so many accessories to choose from to add a little bit of you into the space. No more impersonal blank walls and empty surfaces – you have the opportunity to turn your home office into a creative haven.
For neurodivergent workers or those dealing with stress, you could even create a calm zone within the space with soft furnishings such as footstools and beanbags or a dedicated side of your workstation for desk or fidget toys to help you wind down when things get too much.
Time to get to work
By implementing these garden office interior ideas there’ll be little you’ll miss from the office (minus the people!) For one, you can get into the zone in a comfortable space designed specifically for your needs.
These design tips we’ve shared can help you make the most of your WFH routing. Try out a few and you might see that your productivity is higher than ever before.
