More people than ever before work remotely from the convenience of their homes thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our home workstation must now be both functional and hospitable due to the change in job. a location where we desire to be. The best time to transform your patio by the pool into a welcoming and motivational workspace is right now. You’ll not only impress your video conference participants, but you’ll also have a comfortable patio area to enjoy before and after work. We’ll look at some advice and product suggestions to help you improve your patio for the work-from-home lifestyle!
The Needs of Your Workspace
Knowing what you need to work effectively is typically simple to determine when setting up your desk at a traditional office. Although your employer will give you a dedicated computer that is already configured for their internal network, you will require more than just a laptop when working from home. You can increase productivity at home by creating a room that includes some of the equipment and supplies you utilized at work. A desk, monitor(s), ergonomic chair, and any essential internet hardware, like a router or ethernet connection, are some typical examples of home office supplies.
It’s unlikely that you will be able to move your current office furniture on the deck without it looking out of place with the quaint design of a patio by the pool. Additionally, the same indoor furniture is not made to survive outdoor conditions like intense rain, exposure to the sun, and humidity. With the proper outdoor furniture, it will withstand changing weather conditions and require less setup time before the workday begins. Consider carefully what you will need to work successfully each day as you start your transition to working by the pool. Start by making sure that your set-up is weatherproof for the outdoors.
Maintaining Contact
Maintaining reliable internet and electricity connections is the most crucial responsibility for operating productively outside.
Maintaining a robust wifi connection is necessary for an uninterrupted workflow as well as keeping your video meetings clear. The simplest method for boosting internet connectivity outside on the patio is to use WiFi range extenders. Spend some time checking the connection speed on each outlet you use.
In rare cases, you might be able to complete some operations without an internet connection or by using the laptop’s battery. This will eventually result in excursions back inside to upload any offline work or to recharge as the lovely weather is passing by and your productivity suffers as a result of the interruption. Fortunately, there are advancements in outside connectivity that might help you avoid needless back and forth.
Depending on your commitment to upholding a clean and streamlined design, extending power can be a straightforward upgrade or more sophisticated. Run a sturdy, weather-resistant extension cord all the way to your poolside workplace for a quick fix. Although running a long extension cord through the patio is a quick repair, it is not the most attractive solution and may even present a safety risk. These can be fixed in place so as not to interfere with your design or create tripping by being painted to match the color of your wall or decking.
However, those seeking a more workable and long-lasting option have to think about adding another power outlet close to their planned workspace. This will give access to speedy charging for use at work as well as extra options for refrigeration and lighting. Has the idea of a backyard office just become a bit more intriguing? After all, you could require more than just your pool light to operate depending on your working hours.
When thinking about this choice, it is strongly advised to consult with an experienced electrician.
Purchasing a portable monitor for your laptop is another option to enhance efficiency while working outside. You can utilize these while traveling and have access to two, three, or even four screens to work on. Multiple conventional monitors would not be able to remain outside and would also be difficult and inconvenient to bring in and out on a daily basis, making them perfect for outdoor workspaces. Portable monitors can be small stand-alone units that you place next to your laptop or—as I personally use—models that magnetically attach to the device’s back and move out of the way from the screen. One of the best purchases ever, truly!
Enhancing Comfort Throughout the Workday
Let’s make your setup as cozy as the standard home office now that you’ve figured out the essential logistics of the typical workday. When designing the ideal outdoor office, everything like food, beverages, shade, and sunscreen must all be taken into account.
Access to Food and Drink Easily
Every hard worker understands the value of a filling lunch, so why not take things up a level and eat a freshly cooked lunch outside? You’ll be able to prepare quick, simple, and wholesome meals to get you through your workday with the help of a new grill or addition to your outdoor kitchen.
Access to all-day hydration should go along with your meal plan, especially if you spend a lot of time in the sun. Avoiding visits indoors by keeping a cooler or outdoor minifridge close by will promote hydration. Whatever you decide to stock, remember to drink lots of water to prevent dehydration and increase beneficial vitamin D from the additional sun exposure.
You won’t be able to use your Keurig outside if you typically drink traditional coffee throughout the workday. To make fewer journeys away from your office, you can think about looking into a camping coffee maker or a larger insulated coffee pot that you can take outside.
Providing Sun Protection
You’ll need a location to keep gadgets like work laptops and smartphones from quickly overheating in addition to avoiding unsightly sunburns. The following are some methods for keeping you and your office cool if you don’t already have a covered patio.
A sun-shade patio umbrella is a simple solution to guarantee your all-day comfort. You can get an estimate of the size needed for optimal coverage and avoid the hassle of having to return the wrong size by taking a quick measurement of the intended workspace.
Installing a modern sunshade could be a better long-term solution. In addition to offering the same shade benefits of a conventional umbrella, a decent sun shade will also offer UV protection all year long. Sun shades can be as straightforward as one shade in one hue or as complex as overlapping several shades in complementary colors for a truly eye-catching effect.
Speaking of sun protection and sunburn, it’s imperative to always have sunscreen on hand while spending a lot of time in the intense summer heat. This advice may sound obvious, but if you forget, you’ll regret it and end up with sunburned skin that makes it difficult to concentrate on daily duties. Regardless of the precautions you take, be sure to follow the finest sun protection advice to stay cool and healthy when lounging by the pool every day.
Sadly, not all electronics are designed to work well in sunlight. You’ve probably experienced the annoyance of screen glare if you’ve ever placed a TV in the incorrect place or brought a laptop outside. The virtually illegible state of your laptop’s screen due to screen glare can quickly reduce your productivity, but this problem is easily fixed with a glaring cover for the screen.
Also, a short word about glare: whether it’s coming from a laptop, a grill, or a TV, be mindful of where it’s shining every day. You run the risk of the sun eventually melting that portion of your pool liner if you have a strong sun spot on it every day.
While sun protection is important, you also need to think about using your outdoor workspace in the cooler months. Items like fire bowls are a big gain in this situation because they improve your atmosphere all year long with a stunning show and also produce heat! Even better, you can get them with a waterfall feature to turn your backyard into a stunning sound garden.
Fire pits and standalone space heaters, which are frequently used on restaurant patios, are other heating choices.
Whatever decision you make, you should have a strategy in place as the weather becomes cooler. Even just taking your Snuggie off counts!
Forgotten Particulars
It’s time to put everything into action now that you’ve decided what you need and want from your outdoor office. Your poolside workspace is closer than it looks with some careful budgeting and a helping hand.
Considering your entire investment
Typically, outdoor furniture has a higher price tag than indoor furniture since better materials are needed to endure the elements. Planning and budgeting will put you on the correct path when it comes to the many facets of home repair.
Take the total of everything you want to buy and split it by the number of months before the desired date to build a budget plan for your poolside workstation. While doing this, keep in mind that plans frequently get derailed by life. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t reach the budget target; you can still carry out your plans to work poolside by taking out a personal loan to help pay for your home renovation tasks. You can buy and install anything else on your list with the help of a loan or other financial product, and you can pay for it over time. If you don’t want to skimp when creating the outdoor office of your dreams, securing the appropriate money is a need. Of course, you have the option to purchase each additional item separately over time until you reach the ideal look and vibe.
Get Some Setup Assistance
Even though it can seem simple enough to manage all of the new furniture and equipment on your own, injuries and incorrectly assembled items happen much too frequently. It’s a good idea to ask a family member or close friend for help when carrying any large packages, supporting heavy objects during assembly, or double-checking directions.
Getting assistance with setup doesn’t always mean having an extra hand; occasionally, you’ll need to hire a professional. Consider the wifi extender described earlier as an example. These extenders frequently need particular configurations to work with your home wifi network. Count on your tech-savvy buddies to explain complex instructions and prevent confusion. Alternately, get a professional to put up your new sun blinds!
Conclusion
You don’t have to do all of your job at home if you work from home. One of the numerous advantages of working from home is that! Never again must you let a lovely day slip by. Use this chance to get work done and get inspiration close to your favorite hangout. And if you don’t yet have a pool, we can also assist with it. Contact us right away or give us a call if you have any inquiries about how our pool and patio accessories might enhance your backyard enjoyment (786) 788-7112.