Nowadays, several companies are adopting a complete or partial remote working model after the Covid-19 pandemic. The transition from a corporate setting to a home-based workplace offers a great deal of freedom, including the establishment of an outdoor office.
Converting your outdoor space into an efficient home office is not that difficult. The crucial factor in creating an outdoor home office is to prepare for any unexpected events that nature may have in store for you. With unpredictable events such as the infamous Mumbai rains, it’s necessary to weatherproof your outdoor setup.
Additionally, as per a research published in 2020, exposure to nature has beneficial physiological consequences on the human mind and body, including enhanced cognitive function and stress reduction. Although we cannot fit huge trees and gardens in our apartments, minor alterations, such as setting up a green balcony or decorating a corner with an indoor plant, are convenient and possible options.
Check out some of the best outdoor office ideas to transform your balcony into an office space that evokes peace, productivity, and efficiency here.
6 Tips to Build an Outdoor Office Interior for Your Home
Because every space is unique, you can explore ways to make your outdoor workplace functional, given the area available. Here are some pointers to help build your office interior in an outdoor setup, including how to protect your eyes and smartly arrange furniture.
1. Keep the outdoor conditions and climate in mind
Outdoor environments can be uncertain, especially in a city like Mumbai. You cannot regulate the weather, but you can make use of certain tools that will enable you to heat or cool your outdoor area and make it more comfortable. For example, you can set up outdoor ceiling fans or install a cooler to keep the area cool.
Rain and humidity can make it challenging to work outside. Consider waterproof furnishings, accessories, canopies, and other sheltering structures to keep the furniture and yourself dry.
You can shield sunlight by incorporating elements such as an outdoor umbrella, a pergola or roller shades, that reduce sun exposure. Canopies, awnings and other overhead coverage structures can also be installed depending on the size of your balcony. Plants and windscreens are some options for preventing the wind from rustling papers or distracting you outside. When outdoor office interiors are designed with the weather in mind, you can ensure that the outdoor office is functional, secure, and productive.
2. Ensure the availability of a reliable power supply in your office interior
When relocating your office setup outside, you may overlook the importance of power supply. You’ll need a nearby outlet and probably an extension cord or power strip to plug in your laptop, phone, tablet, or other devices. A portable power bank could be the answer when extension cords aren’t an alternative, or you want a clean and clutter-free area. If you don’t have access to outlets in your outdoor office area, look for portable USB battery packs as a backup. You must assess the power requirements for your outdoor office to function perfectly.
3. Choose your furniture carefully
When choosing your outdoor office furniture, calm and functional are two key aspects of a good office interior. Therefore, an indoor recliner, table, or accent chair may not be ideal. Fade-resistant fabrics and tables made of resin, wood, or metal are the best choices to increase the longevity of your workspace. You can look for materials that have an additional coating that prevents rotting, rusting, or chipping of the furniture when exposed to sunlight and/or water.
An ergonomically sound office interior is another thing you should look for to protect your long-term health. If your outdoor office furniture is structured to be physically comfortable, you may be more productive and focused even while working from your balcony.
4. Remember to protect your gadgets
Working in direct sunlight is inconvenient and can heat up your laptop and other equipment. Adding shade to your office interior to protect your gadgets must be a priority. Ensure your outdoor office has a good mix of shade and sun to maintain adequate lighting conditions. A balcony pergola, umbrella, or pop-up canopy could offer some shade from the sun. Your laptop should also have an anti-glare screen protector.
5. Add appropriate lighting
One of the most significant advantages of outdoor workspaces is that they expose you to natural lighting. However, your outdoor workplace should also provide adequate artificial lighting for instances when the day has little to no sunshine, such as in the early mornings or overcast afternoons. For times when you’re on a video call meeting and in the sun’s shadow, you can get a gadget like a ring light. Install artificial lighting to enlighten the space for those rare late evenings and/or nightly work sessions.
6. Try to minimise distractions
Occasionally you may face some distractions and noise while working in your outdoor-balcony office in the form of insects, loud construction noises, etc.
Depending on where you live, earphones may be required to reduce distracting noises. You might also consider getting a noise-cancelling microphone for calls where you don’t want background noises like traffic or barking dogs.
You can also use natural solutions to keep insects away from your outdoor office space. For example, you can use different colour combinations and designs that are natural repellents for the most prevalent outdoor critters. Birds avoid colours such as black, white and yellow, while insects don’t like blue and green. You can try incorporating these in your balcony’s interior if possible.
Ready to Build an Impactful Office Interior for Your Outdoor Space?
Working outside appears to be the new norm. Some studies demonstrate how much of an influence working outside - or even with a good view - can have on your overall productivity. This helps you take quality work breaks too!
A functional outdoor office interior does not have to be complicated. When designing any type of office space, having skilled professionals who know how to enhance existing elements for maximum productivity and appeal is beneficial. Hipcouch is uniquely positioned to assist you in creating the right outdoor office interior design for you. Contact us today to find out how we can guide you in creating your ideal outdoor office interiors.