Take it Outside: Setting Up the Perfect Outdoor Office
Sometimes a fresh perspective can do wonders for your productivity, so pack up your work things and head outdoors
Getting nowhere with that presentation? Sick of staring at the four walls of your home office? Perhaps a new perspective is what you need, and with the weather warming up you don’t have to look far. Pack up your laptop and head outside to your deck, balcony or garden, and let nature work its wonders on your productivity. Here’s all you need to know to create the perfect outdoor setup.
Get connected
If you plan to work from your device outdoors, connectivity is a major factor to consider. First, make sure you have enough power points near your outdoor desk to plug in all your devices, such as your laptop, tablet and smartphone.
Then check the Wi-Fi coverage in your chosen spot. If you are having trouble connecting, consider purchasing an extender for your modem to extend its range, or place it in a more elevated or central position to encourage better reception.
If you plan to work from your device outdoors, connectivity is a major factor to consider. First, make sure you have enough power points near your outdoor desk to plug in all your devices, such as your laptop, tablet and smartphone.
Then check the Wi-Fi coverage in your chosen spot. If you are having trouble connecting, consider purchasing an extender for your modem to extend its range, or place it in a more elevated or central position to encourage better reception.
Check your foundations
Strong foundations are essential – your outdoor table and chair will need to rest on a sturdy surface, and soft ground simply isn’t practical.
Jason Hodges, landscaping expert and Adbri Masonry brand ambassador, suggests using large-format pavers to create a solid area that will clearly define your workspace and give you a sturdy surface for years to come. “If you have a lawn, place the pavers as stepping-stones to and from the entry for a practical and attractive look,” he says.
Strong foundations are essential – your outdoor table and chair will need to rest on a sturdy surface, and soft ground simply isn’t practical.
Jason Hodges, landscaping expert and Adbri Masonry brand ambassador, suggests using large-format pavers to create a solid area that will clearly define your workspace and give you a sturdy surface for years to come. “If you have a lawn, place the pavers as stepping-stones to and from the entry for a practical and attractive look,” he says.
Find a quiet spot
The last thing you want when you’re working is to be distracted by the noise of traffic or building works. Choose a quiet area where you won’t be interrupted – and ideally one where you won’t be overheard by the neighbours when you’re on that important conference call.
Read more home office stories
The last thing you want when you’re working is to be distracted by the noise of traffic or building works. Choose a quiet area where you won’t be interrupted – and ideally one where you won’t be overheard by the neighbours when you’re on that important conference call.
Read more home office stories
Be weather conscious
Make sure the spot you choose will allow you to keep cool and won’t produce glare on your laptop screen. A shade umbrella, pergola, shade screen or even some well-placed potted plants can help boost shading. If you’ve chosen a spot near a power point, use a small outdoor fan to help you stay comfortable.
Also remember that your computer wasn’t designed to operate in extreme temperatures, so avoid letting it get too hot.
Make sure the spot you choose will allow you to keep cool and won’t produce glare on your laptop screen. A shade umbrella, pergola, shade screen or even some well-placed potted plants can help boost shading. If you’ve chosen a spot near a power point, use a small outdoor fan to help you stay comfortable.
Also remember that your computer wasn’t designed to operate in extreme temperatures, so avoid letting it get too hot.
Choose the right furniture
If you’ll be working from your outdoor dining table, make sure it has a flat rather than slatted or grooved surface so that pens won’t slip through.
If you’ve decided to splash out on a separate desk and chair for your outside office, choose lightweight, portable styles that you can pack away with ease at the end of the day. Hidden storage is a bonus.
If you’ll be working from your outdoor dining table, make sure it has a flat rather than slatted or grooved surface so that pens won’t slip through.
If you’ve decided to splash out on a separate desk and chair for your outside office, choose lightweight, portable styles that you can pack away with ease at the end of the day. Hidden storage is a bonus.
Smart lighting
If you’ll be working after the sun goes down, make sure your outdoor lighting allows you to see what you’re doing. If not, consider boosting your lighting scheme with wall- or ceiling-mounted lights that will illuminate your work surface. Just be sure not to position them directly behind where you’ll be working, as this can result in you working in shadow.
Portable lights and candles should be avoided as they can blow over in the wind.
7 Types of Doors to Maximise Indoor-Outdoor Living
If you’ll be working after the sun goes down, make sure your outdoor lighting allows you to see what you’re doing. If not, consider boosting your lighting scheme with wall- or ceiling-mounted lights that will illuminate your work surface. Just be sure not to position them directly behind where you’ll be working, as this can result in you working in shadow.
Portable lights and candles should be avoided as they can blow over in the wind.
7 Types of Doors to Maximise Indoor-Outdoor Living
Beautiful landscaping
An attractive outlook can really lift your mood and make you feel inspired to do your best work. Hodges suggests surrounding your office with lush, leafy landscaping. “Easy-to-maintain garden beds and vertical garden walls will add visual interest, maximise the space available and create privacy,” he says.
An attractive outlook can really lift your mood and make you feel inspired to do your best work. Hodges suggests surrounding your office with lush, leafy landscaping. “Easy-to-maintain garden beds and vertical garden walls will add visual interest, maximise the space available and create privacy,” he says.
Add a water feature
Introducing a water feature will not only make your outdoor office look more beautiful, but the sound of trickling water can calm your mind and help you prepare to tackle even the most difficult tasks.
Introducing a water feature will not only make your outdoor office look more beautiful, but the sound of trickling water can calm your mind and help you prepare to tackle even the most difficult tasks.
Don’t forget storage
The last thing you want when you’re working outdoors is for important papers to fly away with every gust of wind. Use folders and containers to keep paperwork safe and contained when you’re outside, and don’t forget to bring everything in when you come inside at the end of the day.
Tell us
Do you enjoy working outside? Tell us why in the Comments section below. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to like, bookmark or share this story. Join the conversation.
More
Browse more smart home offices
The last thing you want when you’re working outdoors is for important papers to fly away with every gust of wind. Use folders and containers to keep paperwork safe and contained when you’re outside, and don’t forget to bring everything in when you come inside at the end of the day.
Tell us
Do you enjoy working outside? Tell us why in the Comments section below. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to like, bookmark or share this story. Join the conversation.
More
Browse more smart home offices
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You don’t need much to set up an office outdoors – a sturdy chair and a flat surface to rest your laptop on will do, even if they’re just in the corner of your balcony, terrace or garden. But if you would like a more permanent setup and have the budget and space in your backyard, consider a fully fledged outdoor office. Build your own or check out some of the super stylish prefab designs on the market, such as this one from Inoutside, many of which open up to the outdoors so you can feel connected to nature while you work.