During the Covid pandemic, there were very few businesses and business sectors that were not adversely affected, and landscaping companies were among them. Given the various lockdown rules and the need for social distancing, even though the garden is an outdoor space, there were few opportunities for landscape designers and their clients to meet and discuss new garden designs.

Another result of the pandemic and lockdown was that millions of people who would have normally commuted into an office were obliged to work from home where it was feasible. Whilst this was a necessity due to the pandemic, many soon found that working at home was an enjoyable experience, and as a result, many businesses reported that the productivity of many of their employees went up significantly during this period.

Coming out the other side of covid, many of the employees who worked from home have been allowed to remain doing so, either full-time or for part of their working week. This has led to many individuals seeking ways to create an outdoor workspace with all the benefits that it brings such as working in the fresh air, and the natural surroundings.

So, if you have been considering an outdoor workspace for yourself as someone who now works from home, or if you were already working from home and wish to have an enhanced workspace, or simply for times when you are browsing the web on your laptop, here are five key tips that will help make that outdoor workspace all the more feasible and enjoyable.

Ensure You Can Get Connected

The specific requirements for connectivity will vary from person to person, however, as a minimum you must be able to receive the Wi-Fi signal from your home on your laptop. In addition, you may want to have the ability to plug into an electrical socket should you require a printer, or wish to charge the batteries of devices that have them. Should you wish to work in the evening, adequate lighting will also need to be installed.

Include Shade And Shelter

With the hot sunny days that many of us are lucky to have where we live, it is essential that when creating a workspace in your garden, it has sufficient shade. It would be all too easy to work away for just a couple of hours only to realise you have got burnt from the sun, or worse, experience sunstroke. Shelter might also be desirable for days when the weather is less pleasant.

Opt For Multi-Use Furniture

If the workspace is just for yourself, but you have others who live with you, such as your family, it is a good idea for the furniture you use whilst working to be multi-purpose. In other words, rather than have so-called ‘office furniture’, instead select seating, for example, that provides you with a comfortable workstation, but can also be used in your garden by others when you are not working.

Don’t Forget Your Privacy

The importance of this will again differ between individuals, however, it should be considered by everyone. An example is joining a work Zoom meeting only to realise that behind you there are passers-by who can peer over your fence and be seen by your colleagues. You can ensure your privacy, either by setting up your outdoor workspace where there is already privacy behind you such as tall ferns or trellises, or creating it using fabrics or a portable screen.

Choose Your Plants Carefully

Hopefully, you have not lost sight of the fact that a workspace in your garden means you will be sharing that garden with plants. The best part is that you get to choose those plants as part of your landscape design, so choose wisely. Your choices should be based on your colour preferences and also whether you prefer strong fragrances around you or milder ones.