If you don’t have room in your house for an office, but you have a yard, why not build a separate structure for your office? I keep coming across pre-fab outdoor spaces on other blogs that would be perfect for a home office. Talk about keeping your work space separate from your personal space!
One thing to consider is the climate where you live. Something like this is much more practical in California than in Minnesota. I’m not sure how any of these are insulated and presumably you’d have to use a space heater. Also, I don’t think I’d want to be running back into the house every time I needed to use the bathroom if it’s below zero outside!
- The OfficePOD. Highlights: partly recycled and $24,000.
Source: OfficePOD; via Chuck Newton and Unplgged
From the OfficePOD website: “The ability to work from home is a trend that is here to stay. Technology allows it, legislation permits it and employers often now encourage it.” Though this is in the UK, so I’m not sure what “legislation” they’re talking about.
- Garden Pod by Archipod. This heated and insulated sphere also uses green materials.
- Or try converting a shed into an office like Lifehacker reader Brian DeHamer did for just $6,000.
Source: Lifehacker
- How about a shipping container home office?
Source: Mike Corvi, The Oregonian via Chuck Newton
Source: Jetson Green via Chuck Newton
- Though not pre-fab, this home office is pretty fab. Lifehacker reader Peter Frazier takes full advantage of his view of Chuckanut Bay in Washington.
Source: Lifehacker
Source: Flickr via Lifehacker
- This is surprisingly nice for a 9×7 wooden shed. Not available in the US, but probably closer to something you could DIY than some of the others.
Source: BillyOh Woodman Log Cabin via ReNest (and also here)
- A similar concept (but a little more spacious), this one belongs to Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma
Source: Michael Pollan via ReNest (and also here)
- Another one with a great view — and love the colorful trim.
Source: photography by William Wright, in Debra Prinzing’s book Stylish Sheds and Elegant Hideaways
via Apartment Therapy San Francisco (via ReNest)
- Looking for something simple but cozy?
- You really can do it yourself! Here’s a fantastic little house by Susan Herr of Burlington, Vermont, where you can actually take a class to build a tiny house.
Source: Susan Herr via Design*Sponge
For more permanence, see my earlier post on this garden office.
And a few more less realistic (expensive or unique) but equally thought-provoking options: Blu Folding Prefab Home Office and Would You Live in a Blob? Or there’s always a treehouse.
