A Guest Post by Lilly Miller
Working in an office or having a so-called desk job is something a lot of people consider to be the perfect job. 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. Therefore, you should consider making an outdoor office space for your workers. This will definitely keep them happy and relaxed while doing their job. 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 on their disposal as well.
Give your employees some 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.
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.
Fill the space with greenery
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.
Trees, tents and potted plants
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 refreshment and snacks
For some reason, people love to snack outside, so a practical cantina 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.
Divide the space
Your outdoor office can serve both as an outdoor break room where the staff can relax and refresh and an office where they can do their work. If you want your outdoor area to serve a dual purpose, make sure to introduce some dividers and put up KEEP QUIET signs. If you opt for green walls for dividers, you’ll achieve an even better effect in your workers. This is also a great solution if you’re starting a coworking space.
An office job might seem like the perfect arrangement, however, this job can be pretty stressful too. The presence of coworkers, computers, and other devices can be a bit too much sometimes. This is exactly why the workers should have the option to leave the office for a while. By providing your employees with an outdoor office, you will allow them to spend some time outside without lowering their productivity and your profit.
