Do the warmer weather and longer days make you want to take your work outside? Working from outside (WFO) is the new WFH—and for a good reason. Being in nature and breathing fresh air is good for reducing stress and increasing focus and creativity. But to stay productive, you will want to consider your space, setup, and background, among other things.
Here are five ideas to create a productive work area outside:
1. Plan Your Space
Working outside doesn’t have to take up a lot of room. If you think about it, the standard office cubicle is only about 6 square feet. However, you will need shade. If you don’t have a shady spot, consider adding a pergola, awning, or umbrella. Of course, if you have the budget, you can consider converting a shed, greenhouse, or even an old treehouse your kids no longer use into a dedicated WFO space.
2. Invest in an Outdoor Desk & Chair
While you may think that you can simply sit down on your chaise lounge and start working, it won’t help you stay productive. You need a more ergonomic set up which means a good work surface and chair. At a minimum, you can use your outdoor dining table and chair. Better yet, create a dedicated workspace with a bistro or bar height table. Or, for a more budget-friendly option, consider a folding or camping table. For a small patio or balcony, try a rail-mounted table.
3. Consider Your Zoom Background
If we have learned anything over the last year, it’s how important a background is for our Zoom calls. Since you’re WFO, you should attempt to make the background as lush as possible whenever you have calls. You can do this with potted plants like ferns and fountain grasses. For smaller spaces, try a vertical garden to break up any blank space behind you. A bit of color from some flowering plants will complete your Zoom background.
4. Get Organized
Unless you have an enclosed space for working outside, you’ll need to bring your gear inside with you each day. It goes without saying, most electronics and papers are not weather-friendly. One way you can transport your items is by using a briefcase or backpack. If you desire something a little more stylish, use a large serving tray to transfer your laptop, phone, pens, and notebooks from inside to outside.
5. Think About the Accessories
A bar cart keeps water and snacks handy, so you don’t have to keep running inside. You may also need outdoor lighting if you plan to work outside in the evening or a heat lamp if you want to continue WFO in the fall. Don’t forget a portable power bank, surge protector, and extension cord to plug into an outdoor outlet. Otherwise, your time outside will be limited to your battery life. And your WiFi may need a boost, too, if your router doesn’t already reach your setup. Lastly, if the area is prone to bugs, you can add some citronella candles to your outdoor deck space.
Design Your Ideal Workspace Outside
Your WFO setup needs shade, a good work surface and chair, a power source, and possibly a WiFi boost to be productive. It would help if you also had a way to transport everything each day. When you can design this space efficiently, you’ll be able to reap all of the benefits of spending time outdoors.
Ready to WFO? Contact The Shivers’ Design Team at Decorating Den Interiors today to schedule your free in-home design consultation.
