Are you tired of those fuzzy video conferences with messy backgrounds? Is working indoors getting old? Maybe it’s time to move your office outside to your backyard.

We all need to breathe fresh air, especially when we have so many work-related things to do. “I have an outdoor office and enjoy working outside every day with my dog, Mutt Mulligan, nearby,” said Kris Kiser, President and CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation, an environmental education, and stewardship program that encourages outdoor living and caring for green spaces.

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With the COVID-19 pandemic keeping more Americans working at home, Kiser points out that outdoor offices offer a way to de-stress and enjoy nature while focusing on the tasks at hand. Plus, it jazzes up those videoconference call backgrounds.

Many companies also recognize the benefits of outdoor offices and are now adding outdoor office features to their corporate campuses, encouraging employees to meet and work outside.

If you want to give it a try, the TurfMutt Foundation shared with HOLA! USA tips to help you keep your outdoor home office operational from fall into the winter months.

The outdoor office is the new home office

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• Decide where your outdoor office will be. Look for a comfortable spot that offers seating and shade from the sun. Consider noise, lighting, and other needs as well.
• Factor comfort into furnishings. Position a table or desk and seating that takes comfort and ergonomics into play, just as you would indoors.
• Beef up Wi-Fi and make sure electrical outlets are reachable. Outdoor offices need power. Make sure your Wi-Fi signal strength is up to the task of outdoor videoconference calls or online work. Run outdoor-rated power cords or get additional outdoor power outlets installed.
• Check your videoconference call background “look.” Use your computer camera to check your videoconference call background before you are finished setting up. Adjust your seating location and look for the best effect.
• Add portable heaters or a fire pit. Outdoor heaters or hydronic or electric radiant heat systems can extend your stay in your outdoor office.

• Bring indoor comforts outside. Add pillows, curtains, or lap blankets to your outdoor office. A warm rug can help, too.
• Build a patio cover. A semi-enclosed space, such as a pergola, awning, gazebo, or pavilion, can protect you—and your laptop –from the elements, making it easier to stay in your outdoor office longer. Side curtains on a pergola or gazebo add more protection (and cancel out nearby noise).
• Warm up the space with lights. Lights make an outdoor space more inviting for a work session. It also gets darker earlier in the winter, so lighting can help extend your day. Some light sets are even equipped with an outlet, allowing you to charge your laptop.
• Add speakers or use headphones. Nothing says ideal, workspace like adding a little music. Headphones can tune out neighborhood noise and help with focus.
• Tune-up the fun. Keep the yard games like lawn darts or corn hole accessible nearby. After all, you might need to take a break from those videoconference calls with some recreation.