If you are a remote worker, you often must dream about having a separate home office where no chaos or family life disturbs your peace. And also, not having a secluded place for your work-from-home setup makes it hard to draw a boundary between work and home life. Working from home, while rewarding, is also challenging when you need the right setup. But this doesn’t mean achieving a perfect outdoor space without spending hundreds of dollars is impossible. Below are our top favorite DIY outdoor workspace ideas suitable for a tiny to the large sized backyard.
How to Build a Patio Office on a Budget?
Working outside has advantages that go far beyond financial success. A study indicated that spending time in green areas enhanced focus and happiness and encouraged physical activity. Moreover, moving your office outside can enjoy peace, quiet, and pleasant wind. Here are some guidelines for outside workstations, including productivity measures and furniture placement ideas.
The right furniture
Regarding outdoor workspace furniture, it’s not just about looks. But an outdoor sofa or outdoor table is specially made to last outside. Hence it is advised to opt for waterproof and weather-resistant office furniture if you are planning an outdoor office setup. To make sure you have made the right choice with outdoor furniture, purchase from reliable brands and names, such as office patio furniture collections exclusively designed by the SOL backyard to compete for the outdoor weather conditions.
Add multi-purpose pieces
An outdoor bench doesn’t exactly speak office setup but aren’t the modern trends all about flexibility? For your remote workers gathering to discuss an important work project, set up multiple benches or a great outdoor conversation set that keeps things professional and casual. You can also have a cocktail station or a drink set up to enjoy some cool drinks while you discuss important work details in the warm sun.
Choose a corner
You can pick a corner if you want to avoid dedicating your backyard to a workspace. Rather than compromising the entire backyard for work purposes, you can be smart with the proper setup. Set up a desk and a chair in the corner or under the shade to get the right level of privacy while keeping an eye on the kids playing in the yard. You can also keep a petite outdoor dining set to have lunch during work breaks with your family.
Build a separate boundary
Office sheds or pods are the new way to make a home office without compromising the existing home space. The best thing about these pods is that they come in various sizes and can be set up anywhere in the backyard. Some pods also have built-in facilities such as Electric connection, desk setup, windows, and doors. You can also DIY a shed interior to achieve the perfect office setup. Either way, office sheds are versatile for multiple needs.
Setup a heating system
Working outdoors can be more challenging by weather conditions other than the sun and rain. After all, sitting outdoors is uncomfortable when it gets cold. A 6- to 9-foot radius space can be kept warm and inviting with outdoor patio heaters. When you need to be productive, curl up next to a heater; when not in use, put it under the eaves.
Define your work area
If you wish to define a boundary but want to avoid building walls, something as simple as an outdoor rug would do the needful. An outdoor rug on the patio looks visually appealing and protects your floor from the rough marks placed by your desk or chair. For an office setup, rugs made up of jute or bamboo would add a nice simple look and separate the workstation from the rest of the backyard.
Make it ergonomic
Ergonomics remains essential even if you move your workspace from a downtown corner office to a patio corner. Your body should feel comfortable wherever you work. To avoid injury and strain, ensure you have a chair supporting your back and a desk or table the right size. Try using a lumbar support pillow or a standing desk riser if your old patio furniture isn’t offering enough support. Both can be modified to fit your position as necessary.
Add a shade
No one wants to work directly in the sun, even though we all enjoy lying or lounging in it. The constant sun will also hurt the eyes no matter how much vitamin D we want to soak in. It’s advisable to use some shade, such as a canopy or an outdoor umbrella, because, believe us, your pupils won’t be able to operate through the glare. And imagine attending a zoom call when you cannot even open your eyes properly due to the sun; it doesn’t seem professional, right? Consider using a glare guard on the screen as well.
Bug repellant
If your work setup is outdoors and in the open air rather than in a covered shed, you need to keep those insects and tiny creatures at bay. It is important for comfort and safety as bug bites can cause allergies, or mosquitoes will make you pray to inevitable work leaves. Choose insect-repellent plants to drive insects away from your desk since they accomplish two goals simultaneously. One of the most well-known plants for repelling insects is citronella.
Plan the perfect outdoor workspace furniture placement
You are not using wall dividers, large shades, or a wall to define a boundary, but you need the right level of privacy to feel productive and undisturbed at your desk. Arranging outdoor workstation furniture to create a secluded space is a foolproof plan, and it doesn’t require extra investment, and you can change the setup as you please. For instance, facing your desk and chair towards a wall rather than the pool and keeping plants on either side of the chair to give you privacy and proximity to nature are some tricks to keep in mind. Also, consider the sun’s position to prevent excessive glare or heat.
Buy office furniture with storage space
It would help to make your workstation as versatile as possible because an office shed is smaller, and your outdoor space will have shelves and cabinets similar to an indoor workspace. A fantastic method to do this is using outdoor workstation furniture that has a built-in shelf or storage space. By doing this, you may pack your storage shed full of everything you need without clogging up the space. Moreover, an organized work setup can give your setup vitality and comfort. That kind of lively, comfortable setting can instantly calm your mind.
Conclusion
In conclusion, embracing a DIY outdoor workspace at home allows you to create a personalized sanctuary that combines productivity and the beauty of nature. By designing and crafting your own space, you not only foster a sense of accomplishment but also benefit from the refreshing and invigorating environment that the outdoors provides. It’s an opportunity to break away from the confines of traditional work settings and experience the freedom and inspiration that an outdoor workspace offers. So, roll up your sleeves, unleash your creativity, and embark on the journey of building your own outdoor workspace to enhance your work-life balance and overall well-being.
