02 November 2023

Teleworking : Everything you need to know about a Garden Office

Teleworking has become a norm in many industries, offering employees the flexibility to work from the comfort of their own homes. However, working from home can present challenges in terms of concentration, separation of work and personal life, and lack of dedicated space. That’s where the ‘garden office’ comes in – an increasingly popular solution to improving the quality of teleworking. In this article, we’ll explore the concept of the garden office and its benefits in detail.

---

A Garden Office ?

A garden office or “garden studio” is a self-contained structure built in the garden. It is designed to serve as a secluded workspace, offering a calm, professional environment, while still allowing you to stay close to home. Here are the key elements that characterise a garden office :

1. Independence : The garden office is a separate structure from the main house, which means it offers a degree of independence from the distractions of home.
2. Acoustic and thermal insulation : To create an optimal working environment, garden offices are often well insulated, both acoustically and thermally, to ensure comfort in all seasons.
3. Connection to utilities : Most garden offices are connected to the utilities of the main house, such as electricity, water and drainage, making them perfectly functional workspaces.
4. Customisation : Garden offices offer great flexibility in terms of design and customisation, allowing users to create a workspace that meets their specific needs.

The advantages of this teleworking solution ?

The garden office offers many advantages for those who work from home. Here are just some of the reasons why you should consider one :

1. Work-life separation : The garden office creates a clear separation between the workspace and the home, helping to maintain a healthy boundary between professional and personal life.
2. Reduced distractions : Working in a garden office avoids family and domestic distractions, promoting concentration and productivity.
3. Create a professional environment : The design and insulation of a garden office provides a professional workspace, ideal for online meetings and business calls.
4. Increased property value : A well-built garden office can add value to your home, making it a worthwhile investment.
5. Flexibility : Garden offices can be adapted for a variety of uses, from offices to art studios, leisure spaces or meeting rooms.

Steps to follow

If you’re thinking of installing a garden office, here are a few steps to follow :

1. Planning : Start by planning the location, size and design of your garden office to suit your needs and budget. Think carefully about how you want to work.
2. Planning permission : Check with the local authorities to find out how much space is allowed and whether planning permission is required.
3. Construction : Choose a solution that reflects your personality and values.
4. Fitting out : Customise the interior of your garden office to suit your furniture, lighting and technology needs.
5. Connection to utilities : Make sure your garden office is connected to essential utilities for 100% optimal operation.

And now you have your own personalised workspace, where you can be more productive in a healthy working environment.

In conclusion, the garden office is an increasingly popular solution for enhancing the teleworking experience by providing a professional, secluded space close to home. If you’re thinking of working from home more efficiently, our solution with Woodcab is certainly the answer to your needs.

Tiny House, Garden Studio and Garden Shed : Understanding the differences

Housing trends are constantly evolving, and new living options are emerging to meet people’s changing needs. Among these options, tiny houses, garden studios and garden sheds have become popular for their uniqueness and versatility. However, it’s important to understand the differences between these concepts to choose the solution that’s right for you. In this article, we’ll explore these differences.

---

Tiny House

Tiny houses, or “miniature homes”, are compact dwellings designed to offer functional living in a limited space. They are generally built on a trailer, which allows for a degree of mobility. Here are some of the key features of tiny houses :

1. Small size : Tiny houses are often limited to 37 square metres or less. This means that every square centimetre is optimised for efficient use.
2. Customisable design : Tiny houses are tailor-made to suit individual needs and preferences. This allows owners to personalise their living space.
3. Self-sufficiency : Many tiny houses are designed to be self-sufficient in energy, thanks to solar panels, rainwater collection systems and ecological toilets.
4. Mobility : Most tiny houses are built on trailers, making them easy to move around.

Garden Studio

A garden studio, such as our Woodcab’s, sometimes called a “garden shed” or “living shed”, is a self-contained living space that is usually located in the garden of a main house. Here are some key features of garden studios :

1. Extension to the main house : Garden studios are often used as an extension to the main residence, serving as an office, workshop, relaxation area or even accommodation for guests or family.
2. Variable size : Garden studios can vary considerably in size, from a few square metres to more spacious areas. At Woodcab we range from 6 to 20m2.
3. Connection to utilities : Garden studios are usually connected to the utilities of the main house (such as electricity, water,…).
4. Customisation options : Garden studios offer design flexibility to suit the specific needs of the owner.

Garden Shed

Garden sheds, on the other hand, are simpler structures designed primarily for storage. Here are some of the key features of garden sheds :

1. Storage use : Garden sheds are designed to store gardening tools, outdoor equipment, bicycles, lawnmowers and similar items.
2. Modest size : They are generally small enough to meet storage needs.
3. Little or no insulation : Garden sheds often have minimal or no insulation, and are not intended for long-term habitable use.
4. Not customised : Unlike tiny houses and garden studios, garden sheds are generally standardised and don’t allow much flexibility in terms of customisation.

In short, tiny houses are self-contained dwellings designed for compact living, garden studios are living spaces with a variety of functions in the garden of a main residence, and garden sheds are mainly intended for storage.

The choice between these options will depend on your specific needs in terms of accommodation or additional space. Whatever your preference, these solutions offer innovative alternatives for maximising the use of space and enhancing your lifestyle.

With Woodcab, we offer a garden studio as a space for relaxation, work and creativity, as an alternative to traditional extensions.

28 June 2023

How do you fit an office into a small room ?

Fitting an office into a small room can be a challenge, so here are some of our tips.

---

A strategic location

Place the desk near a window to benefit from natural light and views, if possible.

At Woodcab’s, we offer 3 types of opening to the outside : our large fixed window (ideal for transporting to the outside), our strip window (perfect for ventilation and views from the office), and our glass door, which brings in more light.

Choose modular furniture

In a compact office, every centimetre counts. Modular furniture can be adjusted and reconfigured to maximise the use of available space.

Workspace requirements can vary from day to day. Modular furniture means you can quickly adapt the environment to suit the tasks at hand. This promotes versatility and efficiency.

A real saving in terms of taste : rather than investing in several fixed pieces of furniture, modular furniture can fulfil several functions. This can reduce purchase and maintenance costs.

As your profession develops or your needs change, modular furniture can be adapted to keep pace with these changes. This avoids having to buy new furniture every time you change.

Focus on wall shelving

Have you thought about maximising storage space by installing wall-mounted shelves ? These are ideal for books, files and office accessories.

A word of advice : make sure you install them at the right height to avoid visually overloading the room.

Light colours

Light colours, such as white, beige or light grey, reflect natural and artificial light better, helping to brighten up the space. This reduces the need for intense artificial lighting, which can be more pleasant for your eyes and requires less electricity too.

They also give the illusion of a larger space, creating a more open and less confined atmosphere, which can help reduce feelings of claustrophobia.

What’s more, they act as a neutral backdrop, making it easy to add touches of bright colour or decorative elements to personalise the space without making it feel cluttered.

So opt for light colours to give an impression of openness and brightness, a more positive and relaxed atmosphere, which can contribute to employees’ well-being and a pleasant working atmosphere.

Well thought-out lighting

The importance of adequate lighting for work cannot be underestimated. Good lighting creates an environment conducive to concentration, reduces eyestrain and promotes productivity.

It also helps to minimise errors and health risks. By ensuring that you have the right quantity and quality of light, you can optimise your efficiency at work while preserving your well-being.

So make sure you have good lighting at your work surface, with an adjustable desk lamp for example. Combine this with a wall light that will provide the necessary illumination for the whole space, without taking up floor space.

Minimise clutter

A clutter-free office can have a significant impact on health.

By eliminating clutter, you reduce mental stress, promote clarity of mind and improve concentration. A clean, organised workspace can also reduce distractions, increasing productivity.

What’s more, a clutter-free office allows better air circulation and limits dust accumulation, contributing to a healthier environment for your lungs.

In short, a tidy desk is not only pleasing to the eye, it also promotes your general well-being. So avoid clutter by keeping only the essentials on your desk. A word of advice : it’s a good idea to run cables through the worktop so that you can hide them but still have easy access to them.

A cluttered desk means a cluttered mind !

With Woodcab, the office layout has been carefully thought through and is designed to be modular, so that even in a small space you can have everything you need to be both productive and comfortable !

Thanks to our perforated panels, it’s very easy to attach different elements such as shelves, pictures, coat hooks, etc. We also offer our own sleek furniture elements as an option.

A plug & play solution : all you have to do is connect 2 sockets and switches and a light point!

Our pine panels create a protective envelope that’s plain and bright.

All in all, a compact, modular office that’s separate from the home is a wise choice, as it allows you to isolate yourself and make the most of the space available, while offering the flexibility needed to adapt to the changing needs of a modern working environment.