Taking Your Office Outdoors

Now that working from home is the new normal for many, some are beginning to realize that their home is not necessarily the ideal place to get work done. From noisy kids in the background to cramped living areas and setting up shop on the kitchen table, working from home can have its challenges and take some getting used to. 

Until the pandemic hit, many did not have an office set up in their home. They discovered pretty quickly that a quiet place that they enjoyed was key to getting work done, and making the work-from-home lifestyle work for them. 

Finding enough space, and a quiet zone to concentrate has become a priority. Remodeling, or adding on a room isn’t an option for most, so people have turned their attention to their outdoor living space. After all, working from your deck or patio trumps an office with a window on any day, and Zoom-call colleagues are sure to take notice. 

A 2018 study showed that time spent in green spaces improved attention, mood, and promoted physical activity. Other benefits of working from your deck or patio include peace & quiet a sense of well-being and a nice breeze. 

Of course, if you do not already have a pleasant outdoor living area, you’ll need to create one. After all, working from a lawn chair in the yard will probably lose its lustre once you begin to develop back and neck pain. Building a proper workspace on your deck or patio is crucial to working outside effectively and for the long term. 

For most, transforming your existing space into an attractive and useful outdoor office is a worthwhile, easily-achievable goal. When your office has closed for the day, your deck or patio is available for other activities. From entertaining spaces to places for your family to gather, you’re sure to enjoy this additional living space. 

Constructing an outdoor office on your patio or deck is a great way to enjoy working from home. With some shielding from the weather, including a roof and a way to block the wind, as well as a propane heater, it is not unreasonable to think you could use this extra office space three seasons a year. Make your deck your new spring, summer & fall headquarters, end enjoy every moment. 

Don’t already have a backyard patio or deck? Thanks to the latest innovations in construction materials, you can now build a deck or patio relatively easily. For patios, enlisting the help of products like GatorBase, you can build a level patio that resists freeze & thaw cycles in a weekend. GatorBase eliminates the need for deep digs, reducing your workload and saving you money in the process. 

If you’re looking to build a deck, well we have a few ideas. PaverDeck Plank can help you to build a maintenance-free deck quickly or overhaul your existing deck. Porcelain pavers like the Frontier20 Porcelain Pavers from Landmark Ceramics offer a stylish, slip-free, and low-maintenance surface option. For those with uneven surfaces, or considering making use of rooftop space, adjustable pedestals like the Uptec Pedestals System by Profilitec, can make what was previously unthinkable, remarkably easy. 

 The opportunity to work from home allows plenty of flexibility, including the ability to create an outdoor home office.  That 5-second commute is sure to grow on you when your office is on your deck. If working from home is going to become a long-term fixture in your life, investing in your surroundings and creating the perfect outdoor workspace is sure to pay dividends, increase your home’s value and your enjoyment of it too.