--- title: "10 Tips for Creating an Outdoor Office at Home" description: "Working from home? An outdoor office promotes physical activity, reduces stress, and improves mood and attention. Follow these tips on how to create a functional workspace in your backyard." date: "2021-04-23" modified: "2021-04-23" authors: - name: "Stacey L. Nash" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/stacey-l-nash/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/articles/outdoor-office-at-home/" categories: - "Exterior" - "Lawn & Garden" - "Outdoor Living" - "Sheds & ADUs" tags: - "Shopping Roundups" --- # 10 Tips for Creating an Outdoor Office at Home ![Video conferencing from his backyard]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* ## Work in the Great Outdoors It’s becoming more and more common for now to have the option of working from home. The move from a corporate environment to a home-based office allows for a lot of flexibility, including creating an outdoor office. Working in the outdoors has benefits that go well beyond financial success. A [2018 systematic review]() found that time spent in green spaces improved attention, mood, and promoted physical activity. Moving your office outside can also provide peace, quiet, and a nice breeze. Here are a few tips about how to establish an outdoor home office, including ways to protect the eyes and strategically arrange furniture. Every space is different, so look for ways to make your outdoor office functional given the square footage you have. ## 1. Reduce glare, and protect the eyes. Staring at a computer screen all day strains the eyes. Take that laptop outside and you’re fighting glare from the sun, too. An inexpensive addition to a laptop, like a [laptop sunshade]() or an [anti-glare screen protector](), can significantly reduce glare and eye strain. These additional glare protectors can prevent squinting and unnecessary strain even if you’re working in the shade. ## 2. Opt for weatherproof furniture. An indoor recliner, table, or accent chair won’t survive long outside. Indoor furniture isn’t designed for direct sunlight or outdoor temperature changes. Instead, look for [outdoor furniture]() that’s comfortable and can withstand the elements. Fade-resistant fabrics and wood, resin, or metal tables that don’t rust, chip, or rot when exposed to sun and water create a workspace that lasts. **Related: [11 Ideas for Working Remotely When You Don’t Have a Home Office]()** ![wifi receiver in a hotel room]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* ## 3. Boost the WiFi. Outdoor offices can be iffy when it comes to WiFi—the farther 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. 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. ![Redwood Deck with conopy]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* ## 4. Protect your tech assets from the elements. Direct sun exposure can overheat a laptop, mouse, keyboard—and of course, a working professional like you. If there’s no shady spot to work outside, create one. A patio [umbrella]() or a pop-up [canopy]() can provide temporary respite from the rays. ## 5. Create some heat. Sun and rain aren’t the only weather issues that can complicate working outdoors. When temperatures dip, you don’t have to retreat to the dining room table. Outdoor patio heaters, available on [Amazon](), can keep a 6- to 9-foot radius space cozy and warm. Cozy up next to a heater when you need to be productive, and tuck it under the eaves when you’re not using it. **Related: [Our Favorite Patio Heater is Easy to Transport and Provides Plenty of Warmth on Cool Nights]()** ![Garden Shed]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* ## 6. Build a separate space. Pre-made [sheds]() and [playhouse kits]() can easily be transformed into outdoor offices. Create a room of one’s own by designating an outbuilding as your office. These spaces are so versatile—they provide protection from the elements, and give you the option of closing doors if the wind starts to blow or pets and children come out to play. ## 7. Ergonomics still matter. Moving your work setup from a corner office in the city to a corner of the patio doesn’t change the fact that ergonomics matter. Wherever you work, it’s important that your body is comfortable. Be sure you have a chair that supports your back, and a table or desk that’s appropriately sized to prevent injury and strain. If your old outdoor Adirondack chairs or patio dining set doesn’t provide enough support, try a lumbar support [pillow]() or [a standing desk riser](). Either can be adjusted as needed to suit your position. ![Pink flowers next to armchair on wooden terrace with chairs at table next to tree]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* ## 8. Roll out an outdoor rug. An[ outdoor rug]() on a patio or inside a converted shed transforms and defines the space. Outdoor rugs add comfort and texture to any space. These rugs are made from a variety of materials, including natural fibers like cotton and jute and brightly colored plastics. Even the smallest outdoor rug can give you a place to pace barefoot while prepping for a virtual meeting. ## 9. Strategically arrange the furniture. Most of us share our outdoor spaces with interloping partners, pets, kids, or neighbors. Still, there are ways we can arrange our outdoor furniture to create a private space within a larger outdoor setup. For example, placing large planters on either side of a chair tucked away in a corner creates a wall of plants that will keep others at bay while you work. As you plan, think about furniture placement in relation to the angle of the sun. Keep the sun in front of, or to the side of, your setup to prevent excess glare. **Related: [These Are Our Favorite Whole-House Surge Protectors Based on Our Research and Expertise]()** ![smartphone, power bank and a cup of coffee on the porch]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* ## 10. Power up your setup. Assess the power needs required to keep your outdoor office running smoothly. When extension cords aren’t an option (or you just don’t want the eyesores cluttering your outdoor space), a portable power bank may be the right solution. In other situations, running an [extension cord]() close to the house, where it stays out of sight, can provide power without interfering with the outdoor aesthetics. ## Author Stacey L. Nash has written for BobVila.com since 2020 and more widely for the past 6 years about home products, home decor, and general home improvement. Diving into research is one of her favorite parts of writing, but she especially enjoys hands-on testing to get a feel for how products really function in everyday life.