Everything You Need To Convert Your Shed Into A Stylish Outdoor Office

So you've decided to make the most of your shed by transforming what's essentially an oversized storage space into a functional, detached workspace. Shed offices are a wonderful choice for a number of reasons, whether you find it difficult working from home when your spouse is constantly asking you where something is, or you need a devoted office space to meet with clients and employees. In the long term, the backyard office will likely cost far less than renting a corporate office, and allows you to totally customize it to your needs. But what goes into actually converting a shed into an office? 

Before we get through what you'll need to build and design a shed office (or shoffice for short), keep in mind that you may need to seek prior approval and zoning permissions from your local township, depending on the area you live in. Whether you're converting an existing shell or building from scratch, it's always good form to check directly before moving forward with the project. Once all permits are secured, it's time to outfit your shed with all of the things that make it livable, like insulation, plumbing, and electricity. Once the less fun part is over, you can focus on finding the right furniture and decor to make the space uniquely yours. 

Unfortunately, a shoffice conversion isn't as simple as cleaning out your gardening tools and adding a desk. Even though your shed isn't really a living space, it needs most of the same things that your home does, just on a much smaller scale. Though a bit less fun than picking out a desk chair or wallpaper, this is necessary. First, you'll need an electrician to help you get power to your shed, because you'll likely need a router or at least signal booster so that you have wifi in this detached space. You'll also want to plug in your computer and charge your phone at the very least. Since this involves complex wiring and is a safety hazard, we recommend that you don't attempt this electrical project yourself. Instead, find a solid electrician to take charge. 

You'll also need to consider climate control in your shed. If you live in a moderate to hot climate, it makes good sense to invest in air conditioning for your comfort and to keep your electronics from overheating. Since sheds are relatively small and don't require powerful cooling and heating, your best choice is a ductless system like a window unit or mini-split air conditioner. On that same note, be sure to add insulation to your shed. Plumbing for running water is also a good move at this stage, because at minimum, you'll want a place for handwashing and rinsing dishes. 

Once you've added electricity, heating and cooling, and possibly plumbing to your shed, and the walls are actually, you know, standing, it's time to make the shed shell into a stunning work space. Decide how you want to use this space and let that inform your design choices. If it's meant as a quiet zone getaway, of course outfit it with a desk and comfortable, ergonomic desk chair, but you may also want to add a loveseat or cozy arm chair so that you can move around throughout the workday. If you plan to host clients and employees in this space, a couch and coffee table would also make a good, informal area to meet. 

Don't neglect the items that seem like extras but will actually help you establish a productive office at home. Do you drink several cups of coffee per day? Then it's key to add a coffee maker to the space so that you don't have to go back and forth between the office and your home, which will disrupt your workflow. Similarly, a mini-fridge is a great idea to keep a few small snacks on hand and chilled water for visitors. 

Finally, you need decor to make your at home shed office into a comfortable space, because it's unlikely you'll actually use it otherwise. Indoor houseplants, lamps, rugs, curtains, and wall art all go a long way to making a shed feel welcoming, and less like, well, a shed.