I finally decided to work from home, but not inside the house as space is a premium. I did a quick search to find options. One option I thought interesting was converting a shed to be my new office. But, what’s the best type of shed for a home office?
Sheds can be built of vinyl, wood or metal. Sheds come in a variety of shapes and sizes and most office requirements can be accommodated in a shed. Sheds are typically located away from the home and provide an interruption-free environment. But, not only does a shed have to be tall enough for you to stand up straight, but there must also be electricity, Wi-Fi, and telephone lines installed. In addition, you must make sure it provides basic needs for the business.
Many people assume that an office shed can only be a tiny, flimsy, sheet metal or wooden shack like the one you may use to store garden tools. Well, unfortunately, things are just not that simple for an office.
Below are the basic considerations for a shed to be used for a home office. Some of these are optional or depend on just what you will be using the office for, but many are necessary for any home office. Additionally, you will want to know how much everything is going to cost. Obviously, the cheapest office shed would be converting one you already own.
Before beginning, be sure to check the local building codes to make sure connecting electrical and phone service to a shed is permissible.
Size and Building Materials
Before you begin choosing an office shed, the first question you have to answer is: “Am I handy enough to build this myself?” Unless you’re one of the few people who are capable of this effort, we will just discuss prefabricated sheds. If you are skilled and ambitious enough to construct the outside of the shed itself, you will still need to buy the necessary building materials.
Sheds are built of vinyl, wood or metal. Each has advantages and disadvantages. Vinyl sheds have the advantages of being resistant to rot, insects, and rust. They are also generally low maintenance. Metal sheds which are suitable for a home office are not just thin aluminum. They have to be made of much sturdier materials. They are also resistant to rot and insects, but can potentially be vulnerable to rust. Wooden sheds are very strong and durable, as well as often the most visually appealing. However, they tend to be the most expensive and also may be vulnerable to those evil termites or carpenter ants. The floors are usually made from some kind of Formica or other basic, sturdy materials.
Insulation will be very important for your office shed. Not only is it the only practical way to maintain a comfortable temperature, but proper insulation should also limit the dampness. An additional sometimes overlooked benefit of insulation is help in soundproofing the office. Over the insulation, you will want to install drywall. This further insulates the office, looks much better, and allows you to add shelves and other wall-mounted items.
In addition to choosing the right materials, your home office shed must be large enough. At the very least, you must be able to stand up straight and fit your desk, computer, files and other equipment you need to work. A very small office shed may be only about 6 feet square, but a more effective size would be about 8 x 10.
Heating and Cooling
Since humans have mostly evolved past living in caves, you will want windows. The office will have to be insulated against the heat or cold, and either air conditioning or at least several strong fans will be needed to cool the place.
There are also a number of options when it comes to heating your shed office. The cheapest way to heat your shed is with a space heater, and they are sometimes the best choice. However, they also have some disadvantages. The fan may be loud, they are sometimes unsightly and can take up the room. An electric radiator is another option, but this can also use space. If appearances and space are a concern and you are willing to spend a little more money, a low-profile wall mounted panel convection heater may be the way to go. By the most stylish way to heat your shed is the classic wood-burning stove. However, they are costly and require space to store the wood and cleaning them can be time-consuming. If appearance is all you want, a pellet or an electric stove that looks like a wood stove is an option. These also save the trouble of storing wood and cleaning up.
Electricity and Telephone Connections
Even if you are very handy, unless you are a licensed electrician, it is a very good idea to have a professional install your electric connections. For telephone service, it will require a visit from your friendly local phone company. Unless your shed is right next to the house and you have an exceptionally strong router, getting separate internet service for the shed may be necessary. Check cell phone coverage an if necessary, install a phone line, you are getting internet service for the shed anyway.
You have a choice of several different types of lighting. In addition to the old school socket and light bulb, there are a number of other options. Halogen lights are good for providing overhead illumination, and halogen bulbs can also be used for adjustable spotlights or track lighting. Desk and floor lamps are a cheap lighting option which can also be moved around where needed. LED lighting is versatile and cheap to operate. LED lighting can be used for spotlights and certain areas of the office you want to be brighter.
Window treatments are also a matter of taste, but if you live in a hot climate they can help control your electric bill.
Office Furniture
For your shed office, the exact furnishings needed will depend on what type of business is being conducted there. Unless you are using the shed for some specialized purpose like a wood shop, the same basic furniture is needed for most shed offices. Obviously, you will need a desk and chair. Another small folding table may also be needed. If you want to include a small refrigerator, or maybe a microwave oven, these can also be helpful additions.
Storage Space
When deciding on how you want to organize the storage in your office shed, saving room is usually a priority, the size and dimensions of your unit will help determine your options. Shelves are a space-saving and convenient way to store items. As well as saving the most room for moving around, but it is easy to see and reach your supplies. Other ways to utilize your walls for storage is with wall-mounted pegboards. Not only do these boards save space, but it is also much easier to keep your desk organized this way. Magnetic strips attached to the walls service a similar purpose for holding metal items like scissors. On the floors, you can place file cabinets and portable closets. If you want to go very old school and have space in a back corner, good quality plastic crates may also be handy. If you have space and want to spend a little more money, a closet attached to the wall is a nice touch.
Plumbing
If you have a slightly larger shed and want to go to more expense, getting running water and installing a small bathroom may be another helpful addition. Each extra feature to add to the shed may be quite useful, but always keep in mind the amount of usable space available and how much money you are willing to spend on the shed office.
Related Questions
How Much does a Home Office Shed Cost?
The price of a shed which could be transformed into an office varies greatly. This depends on the size, design, the types of material used in construction, how sturdy it is and where you live. Some items you want to add like shelves can be purchased as part of the shed or added yourself after purchase. The shed itself, without the changes you make inside, can range from as little as $1,600 for a basic 8×10 foot wooden shed to $9,000 for a high-quality 10×14 shed. To the cost of the shed, you would have to add your personal features. Some of the highest priced sheds may include insulation and be prepared for electricity.
Is a Home Office Shed Safe?
Like so many other things, how safe your office shed will depend on the construction. Some of the better sheds can survive fairly high winds and significant snowfall. Many cheaper sheds will not stans any seriously bad weather. When it comes to safety from human intruders, many sheds can get strong locks and doors.