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Using a 12×20 Storage Shed for Your At-Home Office

Gone are the days of working out of your garage. At the onset of the pandemic, more and more homeowners tried to find ways to make their work-from-home lifestyle feel less like a stuck-at-home lifestyle. As a result, many are trying to find a home office solution that’s still at home, but with a much-needed change of scenery. 

A storage shed became exactly the work-from-home haven they were seeking. By opting for a 12×20 storage shed to home office conversion, you can have a detached structure for business without the extraneous expense. This gives many the feeling of being out of the house, while still saving money on the construction of a separate home office structure. 

With a prefab 12×20 storage shed, all you have to concern yourself with is hooking your home office up with electricity. It’s a small price to pay for finding yourself with a low-cost, distraction-free workplace right on your property. 

Why a 12×20 Shed? 

While the shed size you choose will depend largely on your work and the amount of equipment you have, a 12×20 is one of the most standard options for a home office layout. Providing 240 square feet of space, it is just enough to fit a large desk, a comfortable desk chair, and some filing cabinets/storage solutions. 

Furthermore, you can still easily qualify for a simplified home office deduction come tax season if your space is under 300 square feet. 

12x20 home office shed floorplan

Know Your Requirements

Different regions have different ordinances for separate home office structures, so you’ll definitely want to review local zoning codes and obtain a permit before proceeding with erecting your shed. Not only do various counties have rules about setback lines, accessory structures, and utility installation, but they also have guidelines regarding your structure’s purpose. 

For example, additional structures that are intended for commercial purposes – as opposed to just residential – are subject to a separate set of rules. Therefore, if you plan on using your home office shed to see clients, host meetings, or operate outside of traditional business hours, you’ll want to consider any local limitations in place. 

Logistics & Planning 

Once you have approval from local housing authorities to add your detached home office shed, you can start thinking about the amenities you’ll need. While plumbing tends to be a lower priority that you can forego when setting up a home office shed, electricity is a must. Consult a professional electrician regarding your needs – which will depend upon the type of equipment you need to operate. 

If you are operating a standard computer, WiFi router, lamp, and printer, you can probably get by on 2-3 double receptacles/duplex outlets. This can be done by running a dedicated circuit from your home’s main electrical panel, but it will require some digging to run wires underground. 

Since you’ll also likely be spending up to 8 hours a day in this space, having all-season ventilation is also crucial. Overhead fans for the summer, proper insulation, and a portable space heater will go a long way. 

When you customize your shed, you can also determine window placements, which will help you maximize the amount of much-needed natural light in your home office space. 

Finishing Touches 

Since you’ll be using this space to conduct your business, superior soundproofing is important. Low-density Open Cell spray foam insulation is a favorable solution for this, as it’s commonly even used for home theater rooms. Furthermore, it makes for fairly easy DIY insulation. 

Additionally, you can line your interior shed walls with foam boards to further keep out outside sound. Though all of our sheds come with sturdy, level, pressure-treated floors, you’ll likely also want to place down a sizable area rug to keep the echo to a minimum. 

Now, you’re ready to work! Bring in all your office furniture and revel in the satisfaction of having a dedicated space for your professional needs. 

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