A Garden Studio for Work-Life Balance
First Published: 25 March 2020
Refreshed: 19 November 2024
Reading Time: 2 minutes 30 seconds
For Laura, a garden studio was the ideal solution to manage her dual roles as a mother and designer. Previously commuting to Glasgow or working inside her home, she sought a balance that allowed her to focus on work while still being present for her family. A sunny spot in her garden became the perfect location for her new studio.
Laura describes the positive impact:
“I knew I didn’t want to work in a room in the house as I have done this in the past and it just didn’t work for me. It’s important for me to walk, even just a few steps, into a different building—somewhere I can shut the door at the end of the day, turn off the light, and leave in a total mess if I want to, without seeing it again until the next morning.
It definitely allows me to have a much healthier relationship with my work… this arrangement is the best way for me to keep a healthy work-life balance as much as possible.”
Creating a Cosy, Year-Round Workspace
One of Laura’s top priorities was ensuring her studio stayed warm during Scotland’s cold winters. She partnered with JML Garden Rooms, who use highly insulated SIPs panels as the foundation of their buildings. This design creates a seamless envelope of insulation, ensuring warmth in winter and a cool, comfortable environment in summer.
Laura shared her experience:
“I can’t bear working in the cold, so the quality of insulation was high on my agenda. I’ve found the studio heats up very quickly and stays cosy. As a designer, the space I work in is incredibly important to me. Aesthetically, the garden room fits with my taste, and the amazing silence the insulated walls provide is ideal for focus. I also love that in summer, I can throw open the doors and feel like I’m almost working outside. My dog Chips is a big fan too—he loves watching the garden from his cosy spot inside!”
Maximising Space in a Compact Studio
Laura opted for the Lowlander 1 model from JML Garden Rooms, which has an internal footprint of 3.6m x 2.8m. Though compact, the space was cleverly maximised with the help of a cabinet-maker friend. The result is a studio that accommodates both work essentials and creative inspiration.
This dedicated space has allowed Laura to grow her award-winning business while maintaining family life. Reflecting on the process, she said:
“Working with JML was so easy. They were friendly and helpful from start to finish, handling everything so I didn’t need to project-manage. The speed of the build was incredible, with minimal mess or fuss—it was seamless from start to finish.”
Learn More
To learn more about how JML Garden Rooms can design a space uniquely suited to your needs, contact the team on 01764 663 668 or email info@jmlgardenrooms.co.uk. Visit jmlgardenrooms.co.uk to explore their portfolio.
