How To Transform Your Backyard Into Your Home Office

Working from home is the new norm. And with remote work comes greater flexibility; in fact, you have so much flexibility that you can set up your office wherever you want, whether that be in the kitchen, the bedroom, or yes, even the outdoors! Working outside has numerous benefits for your health, productivity, and more. Interested in moving your workstation to your yard? Here are our tips on how to transform your backyard into your home office.

Why Have an Outdoor Office?

Why have an outdoor office? There are plenty of good reasons to move your office outside. Here are some of the chief perks of relocating:

A Better Mindset

Being out in nature can improve your mood, concentration, and productivity, making it easier to get through your schedule of seemingly endless tasks and Zoom meetings.

A Break for Your Eyes

Staring at a computer screen all day can put a lot of strain on your eyes. By tearing your attention from the screen every so often to look at nature, you can give your eyes a break from the harsh blue glow of your work laptop. These breaks allow you to relax your eye muscles and your brain, which can reduce instances of painful and disorienting headaches.

Keeps You Healthy

Did you know that a whopping 42% of Americans are Vitamin D deficient? Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin, is an essential vitamin for bone health, immune system health, and mood regulation. By working outdoors, you can soak up Vitamin D from the sun and keep your levels within normal range.

A Change of Pace

Working outdoors is also a great change of pace. If you're tired of staring at the wall of your indoor office, why not pack up, move outside, and look at the lush trees and lively local wildlife as you work instead?

How To Set Up Your Outdoor Office

Ready to set up your backyard office? Here are our tips for transforming a porch, patio, or other outdoor area into a top-tier workstation.

Plenty of Shade

To start, you'll want to create a shaded area where you can work comfortably. Shade is essential when working outside because it protects you and your equipment from the harsh sun and other whims of Mother Nature. When it comes to creating shade, you have a few options. You can work under the shade of a tree or the eaves of your roof, or you can create your own shade with an awning, canopy, or pergola. Another option is to transform a shed, playhouse, or treehouse into your new home office. This is ideal for those that want to spend time in nature but don't want to deal with the weather or pesky bugs.

Weatherproof Furniture

Choosing furniture for an outdoor office is a bit trickier than choosing pieces for an indoor office. Not only do you need to consider your budget, comfort, and ergonomics, but you also have to factor in the weather, temperature, and critters! Any furniture you buy will need to be weatherproof or come with a protective cover. Ideally, it should also be made from insect repellant material. We recommend avoiding metal seating unless used with cushions, as metal can get extremely hot in the summer and burn your skin. Ouch! Generally, wood (cedar, cypress, pine, teak, etc.), plastic, and resin furniture is your best bet.

Ergonomics

You also want your furniture to be ergonomic. It should be comfortable to sit and work on. Ball chairs and porch swings can help you exercise while you work, while adjustable chairs can improve posture and reduce back strain. Everybody is different, so choose furniture that works for you!

Glare Reducers

Our next tip on how to transform your backyard into your home office is to pick up some glare reducers. The beating sun can make it hard to see at times. To reduce glare and make working during sunny weather more tolerable, invest in a laptop sunshade, an anti-glare screen protector, or a cool pair of sunglasses. These items will reduce eye strain and make it easier to see what's on your screen.

Wi-Fi Booster

The further you wander from your home, the weaker your Wi-Fi signal becomes. The last thing you want is for spotty internet to interrupt a meeting or lag your computer to the point everything takes minutes to load! Fortunately, a Wi-Fi extender (which you plug into an outlet) or a mesh network (which sends radio signals to satellite units to improve Wi-Fi range) can keep your internet speed reliable.

Climate Control

Inside, you have A/C. Outdoors, such a luxury doesn't exist! So, how do you keep a comfortable temp when working in Mother Nature? In the summer, a portable fan or a spray bottle will keep you cool, while in winter, you can utilize a patio heater or cozy up beneath a heated blanket. No need to retreat inside when temperatures are extreme; you just have to get creative with heating and cooling alternatives.

Accessorize to Your Heart's Content

You want your work area to be functional, of course, but you also want it to look nice. There are tons of accessories you can use to adorn your new workspace, including outdoor rugs, lanterns, cushions, pillows, throw blankets, and plants. More practical accessories include weatherproof storage cubes, adjustable laptop trays, and coasters for your morning coffee or tea. You should decorate your yard office like you would a regular office, with fun trinkets that inspire you and make you happy!

Porch Swings for Your Home Office

An outdoor swing bed will make a wonderful addition to your backyard office. Their comfort is unmatched, and their size allows you to fit all your equipment on the mattress and still have room to stretch out and relax! At Magnolia Porch Swings, we have swings and swing beds that are perfect for your outdoor workstation. Our swings and swing beds come in various sizes, materials, and colors. With so many accessories to choose from, you can make yours one-of-a-kind. Come and customize a swing for your home office today!