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Reasons to Consider Adding Outdoor Space for Your Employees

Providing a safe, comfortable, furnished outdoor space for employees is a great way to boost their well-being and productivity. Not only that, but it also offers additional benefits for your facility.

Most employees appreciate the opportunity to get some healthy fresh air and sunlight during the workday, as a way to recharge and get some movement in. Research has shown that spending even a few minutes in a natural setting can reduce stress.

A change in scenery also helps break up the monotony of feeling “stuck” in one location for an extended time. Sometimes, all it takes to generate new ideas or bust through a mental block is a short walk, a new setting, or the brief diversion of attention from moving to a different location.

Employees may also like the ability to take their breaks or make a quick private call away from the main office without having to leave entirely, which saves more time for the actual break instead of travel.

Your organization and building can benefit from the addition of a well-planned and maintained outdoor space in several ways:

• Curb appeal. Patios, covered areas, tables, and seating enhance the aesthetics and character of the facility that workers, visitors, and the general public notice.
• Flex space. Comfortable seating and tables arranged in different configurations are versatile for use as dining space, quiet areas for independent work, or meeting space.
• Breakroom options. Furnishings and fixtures can expand your existing break or lunchroom areas.
• Event space. A welcoming outdoor seating or meeting area can pull double duty as a space for small social functions or client visits. Just remember that employees are the primary users and focus of the space.

Location, Location, Location: Choosing the Best Site (or Making the Most of What you Have)

It’s critical to begin with the end goal in mind. In other words, decide if the area will be primarily for work, breaks, and dining, or a design that supports both. This determination should drive most of the decisions throughout the project.

The next step is selecting the site for your outdoor space, whether that’s building an entirely new area from scratch or updating an existing patio or other suitable space to make it more functional. The square footage, surrounding natural environment, and proximity to other buildings and traffic all impact your options and decisions. Keep the following considerations in mind as you assess your options:

• Is your location urban, an office park, or something in between?
• How many employees do you have?
• Is there existing landscaping, a view or scenery, or a building footprint that you want to preserve or that poses a design challenge?
• What kind of space will it be? A patio? Enclosed or protected courtyard? Rooftop? Balcony?
• How close is it to doors and main office areas?
• Does it connect to a breakroom?
• What is the overall square footage?
• How will weather and exposure to sun, wind, or rain affect use? Does the area experience its own micro-climate? For example, a courtyard surrounded by buildings may stay warmer than exposed areas, but may accumulate snow, rain, or leaves.
• Is there noise to manage from traffic, pedestrians, or other businesses? Will you need to contain noise generated in the space as a courtesy to your neighbors?
• Does the location require a solution to keep the space separated from client-facing or public areas to ensure employee comfort and privacy?
• Is there currently access to electricity, reliable Wi-Fi, or charging ports? If not, can they be installed?
• What security needs will the space have? How will you prevent or minimize the risk of intentional damage or theft?

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Key Elements of an Outdoor Work Space

Your goals and intent for the space will guide choices about types of furniture, layout, materials, and amenities. Here, we’ll look at some of the common options in more detail, along with some pitfalls to avoid.

To have the biggest impact and get the most use by employees on a regular basis, the space needs to be functional, visually appealing, and welcoming (in addition to fitting your budget and physical space, of course). Remember that no two facilities are the same, and what works for a business across the office park or the next block over might not work at your location.

Fortunately, there are so many design options and ways to scale them up or down that you won’t feel like you’re missing out. One of your main goals should be to create a space that is valued and used by the entire office - and that means selecting features and furnishings that are durable as well as comfortable and great-looking. Whenever possible, building in flexibility with movable furniture, outlets, charging ports, and easily-maintained surfaces improves the utility of an outdoor gathering area, just like it does indoors.

Furnishings

This is often what people think of first, especially if there is an existing patio or outdoor space available. If the space allows, aim for a mix of furniture types for visual interest and to support different uses:

• Lightweight, stackable chairs and benches that are easy to rearrange.
• Large tables that chairs fit under easily.
• Smaller tables for independent use.
• Lower end tables or side tables.
• Standing-height tables or counters.
• Stools for taller tables.
• Cushioned lounge chairs or sofas.

While a mix of furniture types adds versatility, it can be easy to overdo it. Avoid cluttering the space with too much furniture and blocking walkways or making it difficult to get around the area. If square footage is limited, look for comfortable furniture that can be used for work or break activities.

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Materials

In general, look for commercial-grade materials, including furniture, fabrics, and hardscaping or paving materials. The initial investment may be higher, but the payoff is greater durability, a long service life, and consistent appearance. When possible, look at samples in person and compare options so you know what you’re getting and whether it's suitable for your climate. Keep these tips in mind:

• Furniture. Chairs, tables, or benches made from powder-coated steel or aluminum and welded frames resist corrosion and withstand heavy use. Some wooden materials resist weathering, rotting, and insect damage, such as teak or cedar. Composites or plastic lumber are popular for decking, tables, or seating options that weather well and don’t fade or crack. Choosing tables and chairs with slats or durable mesh surfaces minimizes pooling water and improves ventilation for comfort.
• Protective structures. These can be simple and modular or built in. Options include table umbrellas, free-standing canopies, or even retractable awnings for sun and some rain protection. Keep in mind these may need to be stored during cold weather. Permanent structures like pergolas or gazebos should be constructed from high-quality commercial materials that resist damage from wind, rain, snow, UV radiation, or insects.
• Fabrics. Choose fabrics designed for performance in specific applications, like sturdy canvas or woven polyester for canopies, fade-resistant fabric for cushions or panels exposed to the sun, cut- and tear-resistant shades and furniture covers, and quick-dry meshes for items exposed to moisture or rain.
• Ground/base surfaces. Options include pavers, gravel, grass, woodchips, raised decking, and others. New installations must have good drainage, level surfaces, and slip-resistant textures or coatings. Be sure that any ground surface makes it easy to move furniture, pull chairs in or out, and walk on.
  

Extra Touches That Get Noticed (or May Be Missed)

Depending on your goals, resources, and budget, a simple table and patio can be just as functional and inviting as a fully furnished outdoor room, as long as the space is well-planned and executed.

What often takes spaces to the next level and keeps employees coming back to them is subtle touches that make it easier to relax on a break or dive right into a work project. Some small but important ideas include:

• Trash and recycling receptacles.
• Proximity to doors.
• Proximity to the breakroom, fridge, microwave, or snacks and beverages.
• Multiple electrical outlets and charging stations.
• Consistently reliable Wi-Fi.

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Additional Tips to Ensure the Space is Used and Valued

Furnished outdoor spaces are growing in popularity across offices, educational institutions, community organizations, and other workplaces. Not only do they add usable space and enhance curb appeal, but many companies find them helpful for attracting and retaining workers.

If your organization is going to invest time and resources into developing outdoor work or break areas, it’s worth taking extra measures to ensure they are used regularly. Any of the following pitfalls can inadvertently detract from a space’s appeal:

• Unclear purpose. Furnish the space to support how it will be used. If it’s for breaks and work, include a mix of table sizes, chair types, and adequate outlets. A space strictly for work may not need low tables or multiple benches.
• Unrealistic upkeep. Choose features and materials you can maintain. This includes weeding, refreshing gravel or woodchips, sweeping, shoveling, raking leaves, fixing gaps in pavers, and replacing worn fabrics and damaged furniture.
• Clutter. Excessive furnishings, storage of random items, or piles of equipment, boxes, or bins make any space feel cramped and stressful.
• Chaotic or jumbled aesthetics. Aim for a visually cohesive color palette and style throughout the space, whether that’s modern, minimal, industrial, natural, or retro. Landscaping, even a few plants in containers or in the ground, can make the area feel intentional and help to define borders between buildings, parking lots, sidewalks, and high-traffic areas.
• Privacy vs. exposure. A few well-placed privacy panels, screens, or plantings are effective for obscuring the view from clients and public areas, especially in urban areas or closely-spaced settings. However, it’s also a good idea to avoid making areas so secluded that workers feel cut off or uncomfortable.

Indoors or Out, Office Basics is Your Partner for Beautiful, Functional Spaces That Work

If you’re looking for ways to extend useful space beyond your office walls, an outdoor office patio is a great option in any climate. The planning and design experts at Office Basics can help you assess your needs and make a plan for a space that employees will love to use, while meeting your organizational and operational goals.

Contact us today to discover our services and solutions, including furniture, breakroom and office supply essentials, space planning, and more.

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