How to Set-up an Outdoor Office Space to Boost Productivity

How to Set up an Outdoor Office Space to Boost Productivity

Where you work has an enormous impact on how you work, your ability to focus (and stay focused) & your overall ability to be productive.

That means the design of your office, whether you work at home or in a larger company environment, is of supreme importance. This isn’t just about the art of “Feng Shui”  but being able to produce results and get things done.

According to studies done on workplace and productivity, the most significant factor in determining an employee’s ability to focus is their physical environment. In fact, it’s been said that a well-designed office can increase your productivity by about 20%.

While some TV shows, like The Office or Parks and Recreation, make office work a ton of fun, the reality is not as entertaining. Even though offices offer a number of different benefits, some can also be stressful and boring. 

Some of the office features that help boost productivity is having an outdoor office space. Therefore, you should consider making an outdoor office space for your workers. This will definitely keep them happy and relaxed while doing their job.

However, creating this can be a little bit overwhelming and might be an expensive affair. You can then opt for coworking spaces like Nairobi Garage. 

Three of our locations are fitted with an outdoor space where members and business owners get to work from, get into quick meetings, and still get work done.

Our outdoor space in Nairobi Garage Spring Valley for example is fitted with state-of-art furniture and also has the Dash Cafe located at the far end allowing you to get refreshments and snacks with ease.

Nairobi Garage// Spring Valley Office space deck that pairs up as an outdoor office space.

The space also has shade and a great view of the Springvalley and Westlands area. If you then opt to re-create an outdoor office space for your home office or even workplace then here are some of the ways you can create a wonderful outdoor office environment for your employees.

Choose the right furniture

No matter if outdoor or indoor, your office needs to be equipped with ergonomic furniture that will ensure your employees can concentrate on their work instead of pain in the back and neck. 

You might even want to consider some standing desks for an additional dose of activity. Of course, some loungers are a must for relaxation! 

Ensure that your employees have enough shade at their disposal as well. 

Ensure you are getting good natural light

One of the biggest problems most office workers are facing is, of course, the lack of natural light. 

Natural light boosts vitamin D thus making your employees healthier, it wards off seasonal depression, it improves sleep and boosts productivity. 

All of these benefits will improve the results of your company. 

By creating an outdoor office, you can provide your workers with plenty of sunlight during the day and give them a comfy space to continue with their work. 

Opt for weatherproof furniture.

Look for outdoor furniture that’s comfortable and can withstand the elements.

An indoor recliner, table, or accent chair won’t survive long outside. Indoor furniture isn’t designed for direct sunlight or outdoor temperature changes. 

Fade-resistant fabrics and wood, resin, or metal tables that won’t rust, chip, or rot when exposed to sun and water create a workspace that lasts.

Don’t neglect artificial lighting

While the sunlight is important, every outdoor office needs additional, human-centric lighting for those gloomy mornings and late-night summer parties. 

If you`re not quite sure which type of lighting would be best for your working environment, it’s worth paying attention to the latest achievements in the segment of LED lighting at the upcoming exhibition on the Light Building fair in Germany. 

LED lighting can be adjusted to the personal needs of your workers, require minimal maintenance and installation and save money on energy bills.

Equip your outdoor office with practical LEDs and watch your employees enjoy their time outside no matter if the sun is shining or not. 

Boost the WiFi and also have charging ports available

Outdoor offices can be iffy when it comes to WiFi the further from the router you are, the weaker the signal strength. 

However, a WiFi extender or mesh network can keep speeds up even if you’re far from the router. 

Also Read : Coworking Space Productivity

WiFi extenders typically plug into electrical outlets, while mesh networks send radio signals to a series of satellite units to boost speeds in a large house or into the backyard.

For the charging ports, you can opt to get longer extension cables that are connected from the ports inside the buildings. Just ensure that the cables on the outside space are well secured to ensure you avoid minor accidents.

Ensure there is a greenery surrounding

In order for your outdoor work environment to be pleasant, you have to make sure there are a lot of natural colors and sights. 

Office workers spend too much time staring at computer screens, so going outside and looking at nature is a pleasant rest for the eyes. 

You can create a natural environment by getting wooden desks and furniture. The color of the wood is warm and its texture is pleasant which will help your workers rest and relax. 

Also, some grass and plants will provide your employees with a pleasant temperature. This will definitely keep them motivated to meet their deadlines and do their work with ease. 

Blessing your workers with this kind of oasis will boost their performance. Therefore, this is something every business owner should consider but if your business can’t as it can be a little bit tedious doing the whole set-up…you can opt to take up a space in a coworking space like Nairobi Garage // Karen.

The Nairobi Garage // Karen space is one of the coworking spaces that is located set in peaceful, lush gardens, surrounded by trees and birds. It’s the perfect location for working in this area of Nairobi. A workspace where your creativity can run wild.

Trees, tents, and potted plants are equally important

A lot of companies and small businesses either don’t have a courtyard or they have a concrete one without any trees or plants. 

Therefore, if you want to provide your workers with a pleasant outdoor office, you have to plant some trees, put up some tents, and buy potted plants.

The trees and the tents will give the workers some shade and privacy, and the potted plants will make the office look rather beautiful.

Provide refreshments

For some reason, people love to snack outside, so a practical cafe should be nearby in case your employees decide to grab a bite to eat or drink some coffee. 

There are great coffee machines and other vending machines you can install in your outdoor office that will come in handy all year round. 

You can also opt to set up a tea area that is easily accessible from the outdoor space.

In conclusion, having an outdoor workspace for your team is quite important but you can also opt for coworking spaces like Nairobi Garage and enjoy the outdoor workspace as an additional perk to the many benefits and advantages that come with taking up space with us. 

Join us today by booking a tour or sending us an email at join@nairobigarage.com.