My old commute was awful, but the thing is, working from home isn’t as easy as it sounds. The kitchen table became my “office”, but with the family around it was hopeless. Kids wandering in every two minutes asking for crisps or juice. I’d start answering emails and end up doing the washing up instead. Proper nightmare.
That’s when I ended up on the shop at Garden Buildings Direct website at about 11pm one night. Couldn’t sleep, was browsing on my phone. Two months later – boom – my own little office at the bottom of the garden.
Started as Work Space, Turned Into So Much More
For the first few weeks, it was just my office. Walk down the garden path, unlock the door, switch into work mode. Brilliant separation from all the domestic chaos inside. My own little professional bubble.
But then I thought – hang on, why am I only using this during work hours? Once I shut the laptop at 5pm, the space is just sitting there empty. Seemed daft really. That’s when it started becoming my… well, everything space really.
Had to Get a Decent One
Best thing I did was getting a properly insulated garden room. It costs a bit more upfront, but you can use it all year. No point having something you can only sit in during summer, is there?
Making One Room Do Everything – Easier Than You’d Think
The trick is furniture that works double duty. My office chair’s fine for work, but I just wheel it out the way when I want to do exercise. Got a comfy armchair in the corner that’s great for video calls, but also perfect for meditation later.
Storage is key too. Everything needs somewhere to go so you can switch between uses quickly.
What I Actually Do In There
Tried loads of stuff over the past year. Some worked, some didn’t. Here’s what stuck:
Quick Workouts: Keep resistance bands, yoga mat, foam roller in a big storage box. Takes about two minutes to set up. Can smash out a proper 20-minute workout before breakfast. No more “haven’t got time for the gym” excuses.
Meditation Bit: Never thought I’d be into this, but the peace and quiet out there is perfect. Stick some relaxing music on, sit in my chair, try to focus on breathing. Sounds a bit hippy, but it actually works. Great for winding down after stressful days.
Weekend Painting: Do watercolours sometimes at weekends. Light’s fantastic in there, and it’s a good way to switch off from work completely. Wife thinks I’m having a midlife crisis, but I enjoy it.
Reading: Sometimes just want to read without the TV blaring or kids asking questions. Cup of tea, good book, no phone notifications. Bliss.
My mate Sarah saw my setup and got her own room last year. She’s a freelance writer, was having similar issues with work-life balance. Now she uses it for work during the week, but her and her husband do ballroom dancing in there at weekends. Proper random, but it works for them.
The room’s become essential now. Can’t imagine life without it. It’s my office, gym, art studio, and quiet retreat all in one. Best eight grand I’ve ever spent on the house, no question.
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