Work From Home - Outside Edition!

If you work from home, you know the benefits are immense. No commute, no work attire, the ability to complete chores during a break, and maybe even taking in some vitamin D. And no, we’re not talking about a glass of O.J. The flexibility of working from home is expanding to the outdoor setting–work from outside!

Getting the right work-from-home office set up can be tricky, but catching a few hours of your working day (working through those hours of emails) outside doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right key elements, you can take your work outdoors to get some fresh air while still checking off the to-do list. You’ll be the envy of your next zoom call with these simple tips to take working from home outside!

Seating Options

As with your indoor office, working from outside ideally involves somewhere for you to sit with a flat surface available for a laptop or notepad. An outdoor setting allows quite a bit of creativity and personal style to achieve those requirements. No matter your space, budget, and preferences, we’ve got the right solutions to get you working in the great outdoors in no time.

Outdoor bistro sets are the perfect accompaniment for small balconies or patios with seating for two and a small table to hold a laptop and a morning (or afternoon) cuppa joe. Bistro sets keep you more upright than some other seating options and can be modified with seat cushions or pillows for greater comfort.

Outdoor dining sets provide more space for a laptop, phone, notepad, and a beverage or two. Dining sets come in a variety of sizes and styles making them suitable for almost any porch, deck or patio. Many dining chairs provide lumbar support in addition to rocking and swivel features so you won’t sacrifice style for comfort. Better yet, dining sets not only provide lots of space for working outside, they’re perfect for hosting friends and family after the work day is over.

Find ultimate comfort during your workday with a wicker sectional. Outdoor sectionals are available with seating for just two, or for many more. Partner a sectional with an outdoor lift top coffee table or an outdoor sofa table so you have space to store your workday items.

Whichever seating and table combinations you choose, situate them near an outdoor cabinet or storage chest so you can tuck away needed items for the next day. You may never want to return to working indoors again!

Shade Structures

While soaking in a few rays of sunshine can be uplifting for the soul, you wouldn’t want to spend hours in the sun during your workday. Sun shades are essential for spending any length of time outside and they come with a host of benefits, including:

• Reducing glare so it’s easier to see your screen

• Better lighting for video calls

• Taking care of your skin without needing to apply sunscreen

• Minimizing strain on the eyes

If you plan to work outside, consider an oversized market umbrella with tilt options or a cantilever umbrella to maintain the best possible screen viewing and overall comfort.

Light It Up

When natural light isn’t possible, be sure to brighten your workspace with outdoor lamps. From modern to rustic, outdoor lamps are made to suit any style and bring an added level of comfort to your outdoor space. Some even come with small solar panels so the need to be near a plug-in is eliminated! Catch up on emails in the cool evening hours with the added light so you’re better ready to start the next day.

Simple Solutions

If the above are just a bit beyond what your wallet can handle at the moment, focus on the basics. Add a seat cushion or an outdoor pillow to an existing chair so you’re more comfortable. Find a functional table, like a sofa server, that can be used inside or out and takes up only a small amount of space. Set yourself up in the shade and the workday will be a whole lot better!

If you’re sick of staring out the window of your home office, wishing you were outside, then it’s time to do something about it. Take your home office outside with a few easy fixes to your porch or patio and you’ll never want to work inside again.