Since 2020, remote work has exploded in America. Working from home has perks like no commute and more time to spend with your family. However, it does have its issues. Only some people have an office at home to focus and block distractions. Working from home can blur the lines between work and home life, like a never-ending chore list and distractions caused by your family. A backyard office shed gives you a separate space to lock in on work and remove distractions while commuting a few feet. An office shed lets you keep all your work equipment, confidential files, and gear in one space while not taking up space in your home.
Before purchasing a studio shed or purchasing a bunch of materials to build your shed, you need to do some research. First, you need to make sure your shed will fit your budget. Whether you build it yourself or purchase a shed, your office shed can run anywhere from 3,000 to 10,000 dollars for a good shed. If you have the budget, here are a few more things to consider.
Is your backyard office shed only for work, or will you want to use it for your hobbies? Do you want a bathroom, gym equipment, a bookshelf, and furniture? You will need to decide what equipment and furniture you need, but generally, a 100-200 square foot shed is a great starting point for your office shed. Also, your office shed will need to fit your backyard and meet any code requirements that apply.
You will want your shed to fit your needs and personal style and to complement your home. Thankfully, if you wish to purchase a finished shed instead of DIYing your own, there are many options. You can go with a standard studio shed, go with a modern slant roof studio shed, or get a unique design like our Studio Shed. No matter how you proceed, there is a design for you!
After choosing your shed, you should ensure you have any necessary permits. New Mexico’s building code states, “One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet.” 10 x 12 and larger sheds may need a permit from your local zoning office. If you are building a DIY office shed, you can get the permits yourself. If you purchase a custom shed, your shed builder might be able to help you with permits. We handle all the permits for our customers if they request help!
You will need to make your backyard office shed a comfortable working environment. It is relatively easy to DIY finish a shed interior yourself instead of purchasing from a custom shed builder. Here are some steps you can take to furnish your shed.
It would be best to insulate your shed to make it more comfortable. Insulation doesn’t just apply to northern states. A hot summer day in New Mexico will make working in a non-insulated home office miserable. Batten insulation is the popular choice among DIYers. Alternatively, you could hire a professional insulator to blow spray insulation into your shed walls. We use spray insulation for our custom sheds that we finish for our customers. Make sure whatever insulation you use is resistant to mold and mildew, a common problem in sheds.
Vapor barriers are more important than you think. A vapor barrier is used for moisture control in homes, sheds, and other structures. Excess condensation can damage your office shed structure and your office equipment. A combination of insulation and vapor barrier will improve moisture control and protect your investment.
You will need electrical outlets to power your computer, lights, and other essential office equipment. You don’t want to use extension cords if at all possible. You can DIY install electrical outlets and lights, however; we recommend hiring a professional electrician. Plan out your office space before installing outlets.
Now it is time to add the finishing touches. For your walls, you can go with standard drywall or go for a natural finish with board a batten. Choose a durable flooring option that will last. You will be working here every day, so you need an option that will last. Add the finishing touches like trim and paint, and your shed is ready to be used!
There are three options for you to get your backyard office shed. You can purchase from a custom shed dealer, buy a shed kit, and DIY the interior or the entire shed yourself. Here are the benefits of each.
A custom shed builder can customize a shed to suit your needs while taking care of all the challenging work. A shed builder can build your shed to your specifications and deliver it to you preassembled and ready for use. Most shed builders offer rent-to-own plans to ease the cost. You may have at least one custom shed builder near you. Here are some neat studio shed designs for your backyard office.
