How To Create An Idyllic Working Environment In Your Garden

*Collaborative post.

At the beginning of the COVID 19 outbreak, the UK government instructed everyone who wasn’t a key worker to stay at home. As the months went on, businesses were encouraged to open up again and resume normal life, but instead of hundreds of employees walking into an office, many of us were told to work from home. At first, we all thought that working from home would be a temporary thing. We set up little offices in our living rooms and waited for the call that would mean we could no longer get away with wearing pajamas to our staff meetings. For many though, the call to go back into the office never came. Fast forward to the present day and now a significant number of UK employees have a permanent position working from the comfort of their own homes. 

It’s actually freeing being able to work from home, but there are a few things that people tend to miss from their old working lives. One of those simple things is spending time out outdoors. Whether that be a commute to work, sitting outside a nice cafe on lunch, or even going for a lunchtime stroll. Being outside is undeniably good for the soul, so trying to spend as much time outside as possible can only lead to positive things. This blog post is going to teach you how to incorporate nature into your workday by guiding you through the process of setting up an idyllic outside working environment in the safety of your own garden. Let’s get started!

Find somewhere with nice lighting and a good internet connection.

There’s no point setting up your workspace in an area where the sun is blinding and your internet connection struggles to reach your laptop. Before you get started on anything else, you need to take a look at your garden during different hours of the day and take note of where the sun hits. Take a stroll around outside with your laptop and pay attention to which area has the strongest internet connection, and where in your garden you get the worst internet connection. If you notice that you struggle to pick up a good signal anywhere in your garden, it may be in your best interests to take a look at the best options for internet in rural areas, and potentially switch providers.

Hopefully, these two factors will tie in nicely and you’ll be able to find the perfect spot to work from that provides adequate wi-fi connectivity and also doesn’t leave you to roast away in the sun squinting at your screen all day.

Boost your internet connectivity if necessary.

Working from your garden isn’t exclusively for the summer months either – many home workers have now erected home offices in their gardens. You may be asking, does weather affect satellite internet? Well, although there are environmental factors that can interfere with your signal strength, most people will be able to continue to work without interruption. With that being said, you may want to invest in a wi-fi booster to ensure you always get the best connection possible.

Invest in a parasol or set up screens for shade.

One of the most irritating things about working outside is that it can sometimes be difficult to see the screen of your laptop. The solution to this is, of course, to add a little shade. You definitely don’t want to be working in direct sunlight as you’ll get dehydrated, headachy, and maybe even sunburnt – these things will lead to a loss of productivity and focus. Invest in some screens to close off your work area and allow the sunlight to dapple through, rather than hitting you directly. You could also invest in a parasol to keep the sun at bay – the Lazy Susan garden furniture range provides parasols of all different colours to suit your needs and style. If you purchase a parasol, make sure you look for a suitable garden table that will accommodate this, and don’t forget the base. 

Make sure you have a suitable working space set up.

Slouching on outdoor sofas won’t cut it, you need to look after yourself and find a suitable chair and table set if you want to avoid some serious back pain. For those looking to invest in some outside seating that not only looks stylish, but is also durable and provides seating for other occasions as well, a metal 2 seater bistro set makes for a brilliant outdoor workspace. Having a workspace arrangement like this will provide enough room for you to comfortably use your laptop, keep a drink nearby and any other work documents you need. You’ll also have peace of mind knowing that you’re sitting in a chair that provides you with adequate back support, unlike soft outdoor sofa seats. 

Stay hydrated, especially during warm days.

It’s easy to forget to drink during the day when working outside, especially if you’re used to being indoors next to the kitchen! To ensure you stay hydrated, make sure you take a water bottle out to your workstation and refill it as the day goes on. Keeping hydrated during the working day is not only good for your physical health, but dehydration can also significantly impact your brain functions, making you lose focus. 

Surround yourself with plants that make you feel happy.

Everyone has a favourite plant or flower that makes them smile. Mine is the rose – I absolutely love them and growing them in my garden always brings me such joy. I love plants and flowers that are sweet smelling and attract bees and other pollinators. Seeing my little garden buzzing with life makes me feel content and like I have created my own little paradise. Trees and shrubs can also help to provide additional shade and privacy for your working environment.