How to Design a WFH Office in Your Balcony or Garden
Here is how your garden spaces can rise to the challenge of making your WFH a lot more pleasant
At a time when remote working has become the new normal, and the boundaries between office work and home chores are blurry, it makes good sense to have an outdoor or semi-outdoor space away from the home environment, where you can gather your thoughts, make important calls, review the day or plan for the next one.
Cover up
Since many terraces and balconies are open to sky, the first step is creating an enclosure to house the WFH office. Make sure to get it designed to let in ample sunlight, while offering protection from rain and too much sun at the same time. Pictured here is a pergola with glass overhead. The spaced out members let in plenty of light and the glass keeps out the rain. The potted plants are an apt way to incorporate greenery while saving on floor space.
Tip: Metal fabrication is the best choice for getting the pergola structure as it is weather proof and almost maintenance-free. All you need is a fresh coat of paint every three or four years.
Look for specialty contractors on Houzz to fulfil your requirements
Since many terraces and balconies are open to sky, the first step is creating an enclosure to house the WFH office. Make sure to get it designed to let in ample sunlight, while offering protection from rain and too much sun at the same time. Pictured here is a pergola with glass overhead. The spaced out members let in plenty of light and the glass keeps out the rain. The potted plants are an apt way to incorporate greenery while saving on floor space.
Tip: Metal fabrication is the best choice for getting the pergola structure as it is weather proof and almost maintenance-free. All you need is a fresh coat of paint every three or four years.
Look for specialty contractors on Houzz to fulfil your requirements
Extend horizontally
For narrow spaces like the one pictured here, which already have roof slab in place, consider adding extra cover horizontally. This ensures reduced rain backsplash and lowers the ambient temperature. Awnings are a great pocket-friendly way to add some extended protection to block out the rain and sun without compromising on the quality of natural light. They range in cost from about Rs 100 to 300 per square foot, depending on whether they are fixed or retractable. Awnings are easy to maintain, and are available in a number of designs and colours.
Outdoor Screens That Offer Beauty and Solitude
For narrow spaces like the one pictured here, which already have roof slab in place, consider adding extra cover horizontally. This ensures reduced rain backsplash and lowers the ambient temperature. Awnings are a great pocket-friendly way to add some extended protection to block out the rain and sun without compromising on the quality of natural light. They range in cost from about Rs 100 to 300 per square foot, depending on whether they are fixed or retractable. Awnings are easy to maintain, and are available in a number of designs and colours.
Outdoor Screens That Offer Beauty and Solitude
Don’t forget the sides
For an all-weather space that can be used throughout the year, think about covering the open side of the balcony or terrace too. There are a number of ways to do this.
You can go for a combination of fixed and openable glass panels, or decorative grilles. Make sure to keep it openable in part to allow for natural ventilation. Pictured here, the work desk is placed perpendicular to the open side, which consists of openable windows installed above the parapet wall. Many older buildings in our metros like Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore have small balconies with parapet walls instead of railings, in which case this option works wonderfully.
For an all-weather space that can be used throughout the year, think about covering the open side of the balcony or terrace too. There are a number of ways to do this.
You can go for a combination of fixed and openable glass panels, or decorative grilles. Make sure to keep it openable in part to allow for natural ventilation. Pictured here, the work desk is placed perpendicular to the open side, which consists of openable windows installed above the parapet wall. Many older buildings in our metros like Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore have small balconies with parapet walls instead of railings, in which case this option works wonderfully.
Connect inside out
Always consider your working hours and how much time you will be spending in your WFH garden. For example, those of us who work with international office hours, this means working through the evening into the wee hours of morning. Creating a seamless enclosure of toughened panelled glass on both the top and sides is a great way to make the most of natural light, without having to deal with the harsh glare as the working hours are mostly between dusk and dawn.
Always consider your working hours and how much time you will be spending in your WFH garden. For example, those of us who work with international office hours, this means working through the evening into the wee hours of morning. Creating a seamless enclosure of toughened panelled glass on both the top and sides is a great way to make the most of natural light, without having to deal with the harsh glare as the working hours are mostly between dusk and dawn.
Balance light and glare
One way to let in natural light without letting in the glare is to enclose the entire balcony with outdoor blinds; PVC blinds, wooden or faux wood Venetian blinds, louvred shutters or transparent monsoon blinds made of thick sheets of plastic can be used. Most of these blinds are sturdy and long-lasting against a variety of weather conditions (winter, rain or hail). They come in an array of finishes to suit different tastes. Sheer curtains are another good option, but blinds keep a formal look, and help set an office mood.
Tip: You can also choose woven shades. While wooden blinds are hard, and slatted or vaned, shades are soft and usually constructed from lengths taken from a roll of material. These can be made from grasses, reeds, jute or bamboo.
One way to let in natural light without letting in the glare is to enclose the entire balcony with outdoor blinds; PVC blinds, wooden or faux wood Venetian blinds, louvred shutters or transparent monsoon blinds made of thick sheets of plastic can be used. Most of these blinds are sturdy and long-lasting against a variety of weather conditions (winter, rain or hail). They come in an array of finishes to suit different tastes. Sheer curtains are another good option, but blinds keep a formal look, and help set an office mood.
Tip: You can also choose woven shades. While wooden blinds are hard, and slatted or vaned, shades are soft and usually constructed from lengths taken from a roll of material. These can be made from grasses, reeds, jute or bamboo.
Get plug points
Make sure to get adequate switchboards installed before setting up your desk space. Switchboards with 6A sockets are good for all standard PC and laptop connections. Get them installed at about 12 inches from your floor, right next to your work desk. If you already have a single socket and switchboard, somewhere in your balcony, use a power adaptor with multiple sockets, to plug in your CPU and PC.
Make sure to get adequate switchboards installed before setting up your desk space. Switchboards with 6A sockets are good for all standard PC and laptop connections. Get them installed at about 12 inches from your floor, right next to your work desk. If you already have a single socket and switchboard, somewhere in your balcony, use a power adaptor with multiple sockets, to plug in your CPU and PC.
Have mixed lights
Remember to incorporate a mixture of direct and indirect lighting in your workspace. Eyes tire while staring at a single source or direction of light. An illuminated space mixing both direct and diffuse light sources will reduce eye strain. Pictured here is a balcony setting fitted with a hanging light that provides ambient lighting as well as spot lighting.
For your desks, table lamps are good at providing a spot light, and are easy to install because all you need is plug point.
Remember to incorporate a mixture of direct and indirect lighting in your workspace. Eyes tire while staring at a single source or direction of light. An illuminated space mixing both direct and diffuse light sources will reduce eye strain. Pictured here is a balcony setting fitted with a hanging light that provides ambient lighting as well as spot lighting.
For your desks, table lamps are good at providing a spot light, and are easy to install because all you need is plug point.
Keep it airy
In a tropical country like ours, daytimes can get uncomfortably hot, so proper ventilation is a must even for outdoor spaces like balconies and terraces, and especially when one encloses them to create WFH spaces. A ceiling fan like the one pictured here can do the job perfectly. Adjustable louvres or venetian blinds are also a good option to incorporate a natural breeze. The combination of the two keeps the air flowing and avoids recirculation of hot, stuffy air.
In a tropical country like ours, daytimes can get uncomfortably hot, so proper ventilation is a must even for outdoor spaces like balconies and terraces, and especially when one encloses them to create WFH spaces. A ceiling fan like the one pictured here can do the job perfectly. Adjustable louvres or venetian blinds are also a good option to incorporate a natural breeze. The combination of the two keeps the air flowing and avoids recirculation of hot, stuffy air.
Separate from living spaces
There is something psychological about how the commute from home to work and vice-versa helps the mind to switch between the two. But with the remote working scenario, working from home can quickly become living at work. Stepping into partitioned WFH office will go a long way in separating work and home, even though you no longer have a 30-minute commute to office.
Pictured here, a slatted sliding wooden door provides a sense of privacy while not closing off the space completely.
Look for ideas – browse through images of home offices on Houzz
There is something psychological about how the commute from home to work and vice-versa helps the mind to switch between the two. But with the remote working scenario, working from home can quickly become living at work. Stepping into partitioned WFH office will go a long way in separating work and home, even though you no longer have a 30-minute commute to office.
Pictured here, a slatted sliding wooden door provides a sense of privacy while not closing off the space completely.
Look for ideas – browse through images of home offices on Houzz
Another way to add privacy, you could grow tall plants along the workspace to create a leafy enclosure. Alternatively, you might use jute curtains or creepers on a wire trellis to segregate areas. For an all-weather option, go for a glass enclosure that affords a full view, but also gives you space when you need to work, like the one pictured here.
Find the right furniture
You are going to be spending a considerable amount of time here, so investing in ergonomically designed furniture is key. While choosing the materials go for weatherproof ones like outdoor resin, or teak. Keep in mind that you may have to coat the teak with polish every two or three years, depending on the weather around your place. For the outdoor fabric, heavy nylon or vinyl canvas fabric makes for a great choice.
You are going to be spending a considerable amount of time here, so investing in ergonomically designed furniture is key. While choosing the materials go for weatherproof ones like outdoor resin, or teak. Keep in mind that you may have to coat the teak with polish every two or three years, depending on the weather around your place. For the outdoor fabric, heavy nylon or vinyl canvas fabric makes for a great choice.
Install storage
For storage solutions, don’t be afraid to use the vertical wall space that balconies offer. The walls can be spruced up with outdoor wallpaper or tiles, like the one pictured here, to enhance the outdoor environment. Think about shelves above the desk, and drawers below, so that you can safely store your laptop or other work-related items at the end of the day.
For storage solutions, don’t be afraid to use the vertical wall space that balconies offer. The walls can be spruced up with outdoor wallpaper or tiles, like the one pictured here, to enhance the outdoor environment. Think about shelves above the desk, and drawers below, so that you can safely store your laptop or other work-related items at the end of the day.
Don’t forget the plants
Now that you have catered for the essentials, think about creating a great working environment too. Being in the balcony or the garden environment helps to clear and rejuvenate the mind, and is known to increase productivity. Opt for an artificial turf flooring to add to the visual greenery without the hassle of maintenance, think of installing vertical gardens over the remaining wall spaces. To add potted plants, consider growing climbers and creepers along the parapets – think flowering bougainvilleas (Bougainvillea glabra), areca palms (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens) or lush creepers such as curtain creepers (Vernonia elaeagnifolia) and natural air purifiers like money plants (Epipremnum), snake plants (Sansevieria trifasciata), and peace lilies (Spathiphyllum wallichii).
Now that you have catered for the essentials, think about creating a great working environment too. Being in the balcony or the garden environment helps to clear and rejuvenate the mind, and is known to increase productivity. Opt for an artificial turf flooring to add to the visual greenery without the hassle of maintenance, think of installing vertical gardens over the remaining wall spaces. To add potted plants, consider growing climbers and creepers along the parapets – think flowering bougainvilleas (Bougainvillea glabra), areca palms (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens) or lush creepers such as curtain creepers (Vernonia elaeagnifolia) and natural air purifiers like money plants (Epipremnum), snake plants (Sansevieria trifasciata), and peace lilies (Spathiphyllum wallichii).
All set
A short barefoot commute, a great view of the sunset out the windows and, most important, a place for focused creativity without interruptions. These are just some of the advantages that planning a WFH garden can provide you with. With these tips, you can get started on envisioning yours and find that work-life balance which is elusive in the current times!
Read more:
How to Beautify Your Tiny Balcony Garden
6 Amazing Vines & Creepers Perfect for Indian Gardens
21 Roof Gardens That Are Heaven on Earth
Tell us:
What is your WFH situation? Have you been thinking about getting a garden office done? Join the conversation!
A short barefoot commute, a great view of the sunset out the windows and, most important, a place for focused creativity without interruptions. These are just some of the advantages that planning a WFH garden can provide you with. With these tips, you can get started on envisioning yours and find that work-life balance which is elusive in the current times!
Read more:
How to Beautify Your Tiny Balcony Garden
6 Amazing Vines & Creepers Perfect for Indian Gardens
21 Roof Gardens That Are Heaven on Earth
Tell us:
What is your WFH situation? Have you been thinking about getting a garden office done? Join the conversation!
Here is what you will need to think about: