5 easy ways to turn patio into a small outdoor home office
Working from home feels like a blessing until you get bored living in the same environment. The same old bed, work desk, chair, and plain walls start to feel boring and may cause a drop in your productivity. But if you have a small patio, you can easily transform this space into a fun outdoor home office setup to enjoy the perfect blend of productivity and nature. All you need is the right outdoor furniture and decor to turn a basic patio into a thoughtfully designed outdoor home office. Ready to see how it works? Here are 5 steps to turn a small patio into an outdoor home office.
Transform your patio into an outdoor home office with these easy tips
Photo Credit: Unsplash
When building an outdoor home office space, the first thing you need is a shelter. If you don't already have a pergola, you can try any type of outdoor shade to get started. For this, you can consider outdoor privacy options, like screens, lattice panels with climbers, a shade sail, artificial fences, or curtains and shades. Choose breathable materials that can block direct sunlight but still allow air to circulate freely. This will prevent you from feeling suffocated inside the structure. Moreover, these options are also great to enhance privacy in your patio without resorting to full-blown construction.
In addition to this, you can also add a compact shade umbrella to deal with the challenge of glare and heat. It will keep your screen visible in sunlight and protect you from direct sunrays. Just make sure to choose a durable, weather-resistant fabric that can last long.
Any good work-from-home setup starts with the right chair and desk setup. Ensure that the chair is ergonomic and can support long hours of work without causing pain or discomfort. When dealing with small patio spaces, look for foldable designs that don't take up much room yet provide enough surface area for the essentials.
Choose a desk that can house all your belongings in one place, such as a laptop, a mouse, a notepad, some files, and other stationery items. In addition to this, go for materials like metal that can withstand outdoor conditions easily and last long.
Get a weather-resistant desk and chair; Photo Credit: Pexels
One benefit of working in an outdoor home office is that there's plenty of natural light. You don't have to depend on electricity to brighten the workspace. But what if it's a long day and you want to work outside after sunset, feeling the cooling wind on your skin?
In such cases, portable patio lighting works the best. Options like LED lanterns, solar string lights, or rechargeable lamps can brighten your workspace without requiring complicated installations. Moreover, these lights are energy-efficient, stylish, and perfect for creating a warm ambiance. Thanks to their lightweight and portable design, you can easily move them around and quickly wrap up the workstation anytime you want.
Also Read: 5 Apartment Balcony Privacy Ideas To Try This Year
Once you have the basic outdoor home office layout ready, it's time to make it feel productive, welcoming, and positive. The basic roof, furniture, and lighting fixtures are mandatory, but not enough. Instead, it is time to give your outdoor office some creative touches.
Add decorative planters in different designs to bring in some style and colours. Include a vibrant rug or artificial turf to make your feet feel comfortable and relaxed. For the bare walls, stick up your favourite polaroids with fairy lights to make your dream setup come alive.
Personalise your setup with some decor items
Photo Credit: Pexels
From pens and highlighters to files and notepads, a workspace can easily get cluttered and make your office setup look messy. The solution? A weatherproof storage cabinet with drawers and organisers to protect your office supplies, books, or gadgets from rain and dust. If the space is limited, go for vertical cabinets that offer great storage without consuming floor space.
Step | Main Purpose | Benefits |
---|---|---|
Add a roof | For shelter | Can also provide privacy and keep the screen glare-free |
Get a foldable chair and desk | Creates a comfortable workspace | Takes up less space and supports long working hours |
Portable patio lighting | Provide lighting even after sunset | Energy-efficient and portable |
Add some decor | Personalise the space | Makes the work setup feel productive, interesting, and inspiring |
Include a storage cabinet | Keeps workspace organised | Save floor space while reducing mess |
Who says that creating an outdoor home office on a small patio requires big renovations, constructions, or your hard-earned money? With some existing furniture and decor pieces and a new shade to create the roof, you can create a functional outdoor home office setup easily. Just make sure to pick weather-friendly pieces, so you can skip the hassle of frequent replacements and enjoy the bounty of nature. And you can even buy work-from-home essentials online to build your dream setup without stepping out.
1. How to set up a home office in a small space?
To set up your home office in a small space, invest in foldable furniture, keep only the essentials to make the space functional, and get vertical shelves for storage.
2. How do I maximise space on a small patio?
Some ways to maximise space on a small patio include using foldable furniture, vertical storage drawers, and using privacy screens to feel comfortable.
3. What is a backyard office?
As the name suggests, a backyard office is a dedicated workspace set up outdoors. It is designed with minimal but useful essentials to offer productivity in natural surroundings.
4. Can I build my own outdoor office?
Yes, absolutely. You can build your own outdoor office with the right shade, weather-resistant furniture, and storage.
5. How to create an outdoor home office in the patio area?
To create an outdoor home office in the patio, add shade using privacy screens, add a durable desk and chair, use portable lighting options, and finally, personalise the space with greenery and decor.
Disclaimer: The images used in this article are for illustration purpose only. They may not be an exact representation of the products, categories and brands listed in this article.