Many people nowadays work from home, but for some, working at home is hardly possible. Why? Well, there’s the screaming kids, the overly energetic dog, the needy cat, or perhaps your better half is ALSO working from home. All these situations could cause issues while working. And then you have homes that simply aren’t built for working.
There are those who love working in their pajamas, but there are also those who miss getting ready for work and leaving the house. I can’t really help you out if you crave actually leaving your house, but if you feel like the home office is sucking the energy right out of you, I may have THE perfect solution.
If you’re staring at the same four walls each and every day, it’s no wonder if you lack motivation; but have you ever thought of moving your office outside? Yes., outside. An outdoor office would give you fresh air, and sunshine, it can make you more creative, focused, and even reduce stress. There are numerous studies that show being outside is good for both mental and physical health and who knows, it might even make work feel less like work.
If you fancy giving it a try, stay tuned. Here are a few tips to help you along.
Table of Contents
Pick a (Good) Location
The first step is to choose the right area for your new home office. You want the area to be quiet: no work calls interrupted by overhead traffic sounds or neighbors or dogs barking in the background. If there’s no space that’s truly private in your backyard – make one. You can add a fence, a hedge, or a screen to make it more enclosed.
You’ll also need to have internet access and power, so try to set up near an existing outlet. Don’t forget to check the internet dead zones in your yard because you’ll need a steady Wi-Fi signal.
“My internet signal is horrible” pro fix: If you’re far away from the router and the Wi-Fi signal is weak, get a Wi-Fi signal extender. These devices aren’t expensive and they’re extremely useful. If you don’t like that, then you can always use a mobile device as a hotspot.
Then you need to think about the weather, unless you’ll only work outside when the weather is ideal, but that would mean you won’t be spending as much time outside as you could. Too much sun and glare will cause your computer to overheat, and don’t even get me started on a downpour that comes from out of the blue.
You can set up your office in a partially shaded area or add a pergola, an umbrella, or awning. Wind can certainly affect this little setup (especially if you have lots of papers lying around), though a solid fence, wall, or even a row of plants could shield it from the majority of the strong gusts. And any type of paperweight can be useful if you live in an area that’s often windy.
One other thought: be sure to check that the ground is level or else you risk having any sort of a wobble with your desk. A flat and solid surface-anything like a deck or a patio-would be great. You’re probably thinking to yourself, “Oh man, now I need to find myself a deck builder near me just to have an outside office?”. Well, that certainly is one option. If you can afford it, this is also probably the best option.
But, there might just be a spot for you on a level surface that doesn’t require a deck, but another thing to be aware of is that the deck is really flexible, so where you put in work in the morning could very easily turn into somewhere to entertain your friends in the evening – so it’s kind of a two-in-one combo.
Office Design
A comfortable office needs comfortable furniture, so get a weather-resistant desk and an ergonomic chair. If you like flexibility, an adjustable standing desk would be a good idea because you’d be able to switch between sitting and standing.
Lighting is another thing to think about. We all love natural light, but too much direct sunlight will cause glare and it will strain your eyes. Place your office in a shaded area and use an umbrella to diffuse harsh light. For early mornings and late evenings, outdoor LED lamps and solar-powered lights will keep the office well-lit. Make sure your workspace isn’t drowning in clutter because that will mess with your focus.
Also, think about adding greenery to the space; it’s another way to help you focus better and it’ll reduce stress. Potted plants, a vertical garden, and even a small water feature can make the atmosphere more calm and enjoyable.
And before I forget, let’s talk about those temperatures. Outdoor temperatures can be unpredictable, and if you plan on working outside a lot, you’ll need a portable fan and maybe even a misting system for the summer. During winter, you can get blankets and outdoor heaters, although I think you’d really be better off just working inside and coming out during breaks.
I love a good outdoor workspace, but let’s not go too far here, you don’t need icicles forming on you while you work.
Conclusion
So, will you give it a go and try to move your office outside? It won’t need to be permanent (and probably shouldn’t be), but after acclimatizing yourself to working from one spot all this time, I can guarantee that it’ll come as a very welcome and fresh change.
Open-air working will keep you productive while letting you enjoy nature and fresh air! And being in nature will definitely have a positive impact on your mental health and mood.
Cheers!
