Friday Finery: e-snug

This week's finery is the rather fetching e-snug from My Garden Studio with its attractive rounded roofing and ability to fit into smaller spaces. 

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Microshifting and shedworking

 

A new report from recruitment consultancy Robert Walters of 2,000 people reveals some interesting trends for hybrid shedworkers and other people who work from home. 

Its figures indicated that a third of managers have some kind of informal flexible working agreements with employees which may not be their company's stated policy. On the other hand, three quarters are dissatisfied with their company’s public flexible working strategy.

Which is where 'microshifters' come in. These are people chopping up their working time so that they get the same amount of work done but this way is a better fit for their personal circumstances e.g. starting earlier, finishing later, and spreading breaks throughout the day.

The Robert Walters research shows that just under two thirds of workers want a microshifting policy to be adopted where they work, and interestingly 4 out of 10 add that it would in fact encourage them to spend more days in the office very week. 

Just over half of employers questioned said they expected staff to be present in the office for three or more days per week, but a third said they would be happy to experiment with microshifting and more than 40% thought microshifting could improve engagement levels.

“Microshifting is a more transparent version of the unofficial flexible working arrangements that already exist in many UK organisations," said Lucy Bisset, Director of Robert Walters North. "For managers and senior leaders, the question is whether it should be governed by trust and outcomes or quietly negotiated between colleagues. While fears of microshifting fuelling disengagement are justified, the reality is that rigid working patterns are already pushing professionals to seek workarounds."

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Arctic Cabin garden office

An interesting view from the inside of an Arctic Cabins used as a garden office for a therapy and counselling business, showing off the intriguing ceiling, internaal structure, and marvellous window.

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Historic pasturing huts registered by archaeologists

A collection of shielings – roughly constructed huts used while pasturing animals – in a mature Forestry and Land Scotland timber block near Inveraray in Argyll and Bute have been officially recorded, highlighting the benefits of the way in which forestry is now done.  

Shielings were used in Scotland for at least 2,000 years, from the end of the Iron Age until they were largely phased out in the 18th and 19th centuries. However, in remote areas like the Outer Hebrides they continued to be used until the mid-20th century. The shelters were part of the seasonal farming practice of transhumance that involved moving livestock to upland pastures during the summer months.

Tucked away in a little bend in Allt nam Muc burn, the Inveraray shielings - pictured above - had not previously been recorded on any historic maps but thanks to the environmental survey conducted by FLS staff, the remains of the historic structures are now registered as part of the West of Scotland Archaeology Service’s (WoSAS) records.

“A large part of my job is doing checks before any operational work is started including ahead of any harvesting work," said FLS Environment Ranger Megan Curtis who submitted the details of the shielings. "This is to identify and then protect vulnerable wildlife and habitats along with any historical features. With this information operational colleagues can meet environmental and conservation standards.

“The shielings are surrounded by mature conifers and past practices may not have demanded that specific measures were taken to protect and record them. But today, there is a strong focus on ensuring the natural and cultural heritage on the land we manage is protected, conserved and enhanced.

“FLS policy is to put a buffer around shielings and other historical structures to protect their heritage features when planting new forests along with working with relevant organisations to record and preserve them. At this site, we will carefully remove any regeneration and put a buffer around the shielings to protect them from future felling and restocking operations. WoSAS, logs, updates and provides advice on managing heritage features in the area. It’s amazing to see the number of historic features their maps show and it’s important for FLS to continue to contribute to this important database.”

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Monday's posts are sponsored by Smart Modular Buildings, the UK's best garden room company

 

Friday Finery: Garden office library

This marvellous library in the garden by Koru Architects for a children's writer was shortlisted for the RIBA Downland Prize in 2006. Raised on timber stilts and built on Passivhaus principles while inspired by Japanese architecture, features include a wooden ramp access, rainwater collection system, and lovely views of the Kent countryside, reflecting the brief that called for a garden office building that would feel connected to nature. 

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Friday posts are sponsored by Warwick Buildings, manufacturers of outstanding quality timber buildings. Click here for more information

Garden office haven

A 4.3m x 2.4m garden office in Hampstead, London, from Eden Garden Rooms set in a lovely established garden. The office is sited on the existing concrete footprint of an unused greenhouse and has two fixed floor to ceiling windows and a third similarly-sized opening glass door to offer smashing views onto the garden.

Other features include underfloor heating and oak-engineered wood flooring, an infrared sauna, and bespoke glazine.

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Thursday posts are sponsored by Cabin Master, bespoke garden rooms and offices designed, manufactured and installed throughout the UK

Britain's best shed saunas

While technically the title of Hoxton Mini Press's latest book is Britain's Best Saunas by Lucie Grace, it does happily feature plenty of shedlike constructions around the country including repurposed horseboxes as well as the Beach Box Spa on Brighton beach above and the Sea Scrub Sauna at Margate below. As the publishers say, "Discover where to reconnect with nature, learn age-old rituals or simply soothe sore muscles. Grab your towel and soak up the heat."

 

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Wednesday posts are sponsored by Booths Garden Studios, the UK's No.1 supplier of zero maintenance and portable garden studios

Garden office tutoring room

 

Here's a 6m x 4m Cabin Master garden room in Lincolnshire built for Becky and Ben who use it as an HQ to run their Reading Doctor literacy tuition company. It's cedar-cladded with a zero-maintenance Marley back, and as well as office space it also doubles up in the evening as a family cinema room and general social space.

Here's what Becky says about it: 

"It's been kind of life-changing really. I always feel quite excited when I come out here into my garden room. But also your head's clear when you're out here. You're looking out onto the garden, you're away from the dishwasher and the washing and all the other things that I've left inside and closed the door on. So to come out here, I just feel clear-headed, and have a lot of fun thrown in as well!"

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Monday's posts are sponsored by Smart Modular Buildings, the UK's best garden room company

Friday Finery: Narvik

This tremendous design from Polhaus is a pleasing start to our 2026 Finery series on a Friday. The company offers a range of garden offices and similar shedlike buildings but this model (which also comes in kit form for self-assembly) caught the Shedworking staff's eye with its bronze tinted tempered glass, room for two to three people, and attractive shaping.

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Friday posts are sponsored by Warwick Buildings, manufacturers of outstanding quality timber buildings. Click here for more information

'Sheds' exhibition at Turner House

 

A new exhibition featuring a wide variety of sheds opens today at The Turner House in Penarth, Wales.

'Sheds' runs until February 22 and features the work of photographer Jon Poutney and illustrator, designer, and professional spoon carver Lee John Philips (whom readers of Shedworking will remember from his The Shed Project in which he drew the entire contents of his grandparents' shed) who focus not only on the structures themselves but the contents inside and the stories these tell. Here's what Turner House says:

Together, their work transforms the humble shed into a lens for curiosity, creativity, and storytelling, inviting viewers to discover the extraordinary in the ordinary and to see these familiar spaces with fresh eyes. 

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Thursday posts are sponsored by Cabin Master, bespoke garden rooms and offices designed, manufactured and installed throughout the UK

France’s 2026 ‘garden shed’ tax rates drop

Interesting news reported by The Connexion, which has been producing French news in English for nearly 25 years, to update us on what is known as the French 'garden shed' tax.

This taxe d’aménagement levy is imposed on a per m² basis for a variety of property improvements including garden offices/buildings, and has happily fallen a smidgeon over 4% for 2026, the first drop for nearly a decade as against annual rises (most recently 1.76% in 2025, 3.4% in 2024, and 8% in 2023)

The reason for the decrease is a bit complicated but essentially it's because it's not linked to inflation rates, but is based on a special construction cost index which is currently in favourable homeowner territory.

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Council Tax discount for Mudeford beach huts to end

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) Council has announced plans to charge full second home Council Tax for beach huts at Mudeford Spit and Hengistbury Head. Although the council says that money raised from the changes will help support local services, this has naturally not gone down well with hut owners.

The council plans to change the classification of the huts that were historically subject to a 50% Council Tax discount.

The change recognises that the huts, which can sell for between £400,000 and £575,000, should be defined as holiday homes. This is where a home can be used for part of the year, is not a main residence, and is furnished.

So from April the huts will be classified as Class A second homes (with planning restrictions), in accordance with professional opinion and will be subject to full Council Tax. The Council Tax discount previously applied to these huts will be removed, and a standard 100% Council Tax charge will apply.

Council Tax has not yet been set for 2026/27 but based on 2025/26 charges for a band A property and removing the 50% discount, owners will see their bills increase to £1,503 per year, or just over £60 per month.

This change will generate an additional £211,000 for the council to support essential local services for residents, as well as additional funds raised through the precept for fire and police services. This decision replaces legacy arrangements inherited from former Bournemouth and Christchurch councils.

Just over 340 beach huts will be affected by this change, with 231 owned by non-residents of the BCP Council area. All huts are in the lowest Council Tax band A.

Cllr Mike Cox, Cabinet Member for Finance said: “BCP Council, like all local authorities across England, faces an unprecedented, ongoing financial crisis and the latest government settlement does not address this. As a result of this severe financial pressure, the council must use all levers at its disposal to raise funds to protect essential services important to our residents.

“Beach huts on Mudeford Spit often sell for between £400,000 and £575,000 - more than the £313,000 average price, according to the Office for National Statistics, of a home in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, yet historically, owners have been given discounts on Council Tax. And, while we welcome all those who want to enjoy our beautiful coastline, we must recognise that this brings extra demand for services such as beach cleaning and flood protection – the cost of which is mostly borne by our residents.

“This change delivers fairness and consistency for all owners of second homes in the area. We understand this change may be disappointing for some owners, but it is important to apply Council Tax policy consistently and fairly across the BCP area.”

Photo courtesy Ben Salter via Flickr CC BY 2.0

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Monday's posts are sponsored by Smart Modular Buildings, the UK's best garden room company

 

Managers are warming to 'workations' says new report

 

New research from the Chartered Management Institute indicates that while one in five UK managers have taken what they call a “workation” - working remotely from a location away from their usual home or office - strong support for this emerging trend of flexible working depends heavily on the presence of clear, well-managed organisational policies.

The research also highlights a striking difference in how workations are treated if organisations have invested time to create a clear policy. While 52% of workers whose organisations don’t prohibit “workations” believe their manager would be supportive of workations, and 38% say the same of their organisation, these figures rise dramatically among those employers that have formal policies. In those circumstances, 84% report managerial support and 86% organisational support, compared with just 48% and 29% respectively among those without a policy.

The data shows that workations are far more successful when supported by robust guidance. Among managers whose organisations have a formal policy, more than half (56%) say it includes prior manager approval. Other common safeguards include guidance on data protection and cybersecurity (45%) and prior HR approval (38%). 

Many policies also set out restrictions on days (35%), devices (33%) and permitted locations (32%), as well as expectations around working hours (25%) and compliance with local tax and visa rules (24%).

When asked about potential gains from allowing workations, managers identified increased employee wellbeing and mental health (35%) and improved work-life balance (33%) as the top benefits of workations. However, concerns remain around organisational risks, with 29% citing potential data security or compliance issues.

Petra Wilton, Director of Policy and External Affairs at CMI, said: "If organisations want to make ‘workations’ work, they must put clear, transparent rules in place and actively manage them. Where strong guidance exists, managers are far more confident and supportive. As with any form of flexible working, it’s skilled management, not good intentions alone, that determines success."

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Friday posts are sponsored by Warwick Buildings, manufacturers of outstanding quality timber buildings. Click here for more information

 

Garden office January bargains

This can be a good time of year to take advantage of garden office and garden buildings supppliers' New Year offers and sales. Malvern Garden Buildings is offering 10% off any garden building plus free installation worth up to £2,650 throughout January (click link for more details).

You can also save up to 35% on Malvern's collection of Breeze Houses in the same January sale, with 25% off new circular Breeze Houses, 30% off new Oval Savannah and Oval Safari Breeze Houses, and 35% off new Oval Amanzi and Oval Cape Breeze Houses.

Meanwhile, Booths Garden Studios has extended its "old prices offer" to the end of February, so you can still take advantage of its old prices by having your studio installed by February 28. So for example, its 20' x 8' QCB4 has risen by £700, from £23,346 to £24,046.00, but you can still take advantage of that lower price if you are swift as they don't have many slots left.

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Thursday posts are sponsored by Cabin Master, bespoke garden rooms and offices designed, manufactured and installed throughout the UK

 

The end of the black shed?

Interesting thoughts on this question from Christopher Hodge who runs Shackadelic in an interview with The Times ('How posh is your shed?'). Here's the snippet:

So what next in the evolution of the super hut? Hodge predicts the end of the black shack. Most current clients tend to opt for a black painted exterior, a look that Hodge says will soon look outdated. “For me, peak painting of the shed black was probably a couple of years ago. I’m trying to convince people to be a bit more colourful. I’ve been experimenting with old lime rendering techniques and tiles and Japanese carpentry, weaving bamboo, things like that. Currently I’m really into folk art and I’m working on folk stencils.” 

Picture courtesy Shackadelic of a 7.7m x 3.4m guest house project with painted larch exterior cladding, corrugated onduline roof, with French doors and two skylights.

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Ellen Hooper: shedworker

An interesting case study from Malvern Garden Buildings which profiles Sussex-based jewellery maker Ellen Hooper, founder of Graceful Deviant. Ellen handcrafts unique pieces from silver and gemstones in her garden studio. This is how she describes it: 

"My studio is for nothing else but being creative—and not being able to see that pile of washing you should really get on with helps too!  It’s a self-contained space with minimal distractions, apart from the weather, the birds and the odd squirrel! Although it may only be a few feet away from the house, my garden studio feels so removed that when I close the blinds and lock the door at the end of the day, it really feels like leaving work behind."

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Monday's posts are sponsored by Smart Modular Buildings, the UK's best garden room company