TAKE IT OUTSIDE
HOW TO SET UP A WELL-ORGANIZED AND COMFORTABLE OUTDOOR WORKSPACE
Summer weather is here and for many — myself included — working from home just got a lot harder. The warm air and sunshine mean I’m tempted to take far too many iced coffee breaks while sitting on my patio or front steps.
Nonetheless, I’ve discovered how to get work done and enjoy the glorious summer weather for the next couple of months: I’ve set myself up with a well-organized outdoor workspace.
Whether you have an outdoor area at home or you head to a public outdoor space to work, I’ve gathered some ideas to make it easy, stylish and comfortable for you to work outside.
Don’t forget the sunscreen!
ON THE PATIO
The benefit of working outside at home is that you don’t have to carry your supplies too far.
And, of course, lunch requires only a quick jaunt to the kitchen, and bathroom breaks are much easier. Following these tips will ensure your workspace works as hard as you do.
❚ Keep cool. A freestanding outdoor umbrella will offer shade from the sun and protect you and your work supplies from unannounced afternoon showers. Bonus: they’re easy to move as the sun shifts.
❚ Sit up straight. It’s important to create a comfortable setting with a work surface and chair. The chair should allow you to sit up straight, similar to your office chair, so steer clear of lounge-like seats that will encourage mid-afternoon naps. In other words, no working from a hammock! I find most outdoor chairs sit low, so I add an additional pad underneath, which keeps me sitting taller at a table.
❚ Tech support. Your outdoor office should be equipped with a phone stand and non-slip surface for your laptop (a rubberized dining placemat will do just fine). The perfect outdoor office mate is the LG gram laptop. It’s ultra-lightweight. In fact, the 16-inch version was deemed the world’s lightest laptop by the Guinness World Records and has a battery life of almost 20 hours.
❚ Stay connected. Test your phone and laptop to ensure your router is close enough to your outdoor space for a strong connection. If not, consider a router booster to bring Wi-fi coverage to your open-air office.
ON THE ROAD
Working outside from a remote location can be a great way to meet like-minded people and get away from the same-old of home. Here’s some inspiration for where to go and what to bring.
❚ Location, location. Coffee shop patios, public libraries and city parkettes are often work-friendly locations with Wi-fi capability, seating and shelter from the elements. Research whether your community has purpose-built summer outdoor work spaces for those who want to get out of the house while working from home.
❚ Always be prepared. Public spaces might not offer electrical connections or comfortable seating, so bring along an outdoor seat pad to be comfy during those long Zoom meetings, and make sure your electronics are fully charged.
❚ Stay cool and hydrated. A thermal-style cup to keep iced coffee cold is a must. One stop at a Starbucks can load you up with a chilled drink (my summer fave is the cold-brewed caramel coffee) in one of their stainless-steel Ombre Cold Cups, which keep beverages cool and save many takeout cups from landfills.
❚ Have desk, will travel. Invest in a laptop knapsack that doubles as a lap desk to ensure you’re set up for hours of productivity in the great outdoors.
❚ Did you say something? If you plan to work on a crowded terrasse or at a public park, bring along noise-cancelling headphones to drown out other conversations, local traffic and playground sounds.
❚ Bring your brolly. Don’t forget to pack a small travel umbrella in your bag in case you get caught in an unexpected summer downpour — your laptop will thank you.
THINK ABOUT ALL THE REPAIR JOBS THAT NEED TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE OR AFTER YOU MOVE IN AND MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE MONEY SAVED UP FOR THAT. DO YOUR RESEARCH ON WHAT IT WILL COST TO MAINTAIN THE HOME SEASONALLY. — MIKE HOLMES