Working from home is becoming more popular – that’s a fact. Whether you are one of the 4.2 million British employees working remotely, or you own one of the 2.1 million home based businesses in the UK, having access to a suitable dedicated workspace is a key factor for maintaining high productivity, a good work life/balance and your general wellbeing.
A log cabin office in your garden can fit the bill beautifully. It’s but a stone’s throw from your home but gives you the necessary segregation to keep your home and work lives apart. There are literally hundreds of different log cabin designs and styles available, and as long as the building is fully insulated and heated, you’ll have a comfortable workspace for year round use.
Your choice of heating for your garden office depends on a number of factors, including the size of the building and how you use it, the power sources available, aesthetic concerns and, of course, the available budget.

Here, Dakota Murphey shares 7 of the most common heating methods for your log cabin office:
1. Electric convection heaters
Electric convection heaters are a very popular option for log cabins that are used all year round. Heaters come in a range of designs and can either be wall mounted or free standing. They’re available from many suppliers and are easily installed provided your garden office already has an electricity supply. Many convector heaters have a timer function and are thermostatically controlled, making it easy to maintain a comfortable temperature whenever you need it.

2. Electric radiators
Available in traditional and contemporary designs, electric radiators are wall mounted radiators with an electric element inside that heats up. Unlike convector heaters that have an exposed heating element, electric radiators are a safer option for use in dusty workshops and similar environments. As a rule of thumbs, electric radiators are not as responsive as convector heaters, taking longer to heat up and often with slightly less temperature control.

3. Electric oil filled radiators
A lower cost plug-and-play option with no installation required, electric oil filled radiators are typically free standing and moveable to wherever heat is required in the room. Once hot, the oil will retain the heat and keep warm long after the radiator has been switched off. Look out for models with thermostatic controls and timer functions and be prepared to have less product choice when it comes to styles and designs.

4. Air conditioning
For all round temperature control – both hot and cold – an air conditioning unit may be what you need. Whether you have a lot of IT equipment generating heat, or you need to keep materials cool, or simply wish to be prepared for any summer heatwaves, air conditioning is great to maintain constant temperature and humidity levels. You will need to fit an externally mounted heat exchanger which may be noisy, so do check for the best location and do consult your neighbours.

5. Wood burning stoves
If you are looking for a self-sufficient heating method that is not dependent on electricity, a woodburner may be the perfect answer. In terms of performance, wood burning stoves heat up quickly and retain the heat well, creating a cosy atmosphere in your garden office that is hard to beat. There are traditional and modern designs aplenty to choose from, all of which will look fantastic in a log cabin. Woodburners are not cheap to buy, particularly when you consider add-ons such as the flue and installation, and they will require professional installation by a HETAS engineer. You will also need log storage space either inside or outside the building. That said, if you love the crackle of a real fire, there really is no contest.

6. Bottled gas heaters
If there is no mains electricity and you are not keen on the expense and maintenance of a woodburner, a gas heater using bottled propane may be an alternative. It’s a practical solution if you already use bottled gas elsewhere in your home since there’ll be no extra delivery cost. Gas bottles can be placed outside the log cabin to feed a fixed gas heater inside, or you can buy a portable Calor Gas type gas heater. Make sure there is sufficient ventilation for any gas heater used indoors to protect against the risk of a build-up of steam or toxic fumes.

7. Solar powered heaters
Finally, if there’s no electricity in the log cabin, how about making your own? Solar panels on the roof can be used to heat water which can then feed through to a single radiator. It’s an economical and environmentally friendly heating method that is also safe to use. Alternatively, get a professional installation of solar PV panels to generate electricity, which you can then use to power any of the electricity powered heaters mentioned above.