Skip to main content

21OAK may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Create your perfect small backyard office studio with these 4 must-have ideas

If you’ve been working from home, the four walls of your office may leave you feeling claustrophobic. Whether remote work is new to you or this has been business as usual for years, it might be time to switch up your office setup. If you’ll be spending all day at your computer, why not get some fresh air while you’re at it? With a few durable and comfortable pieces, you finish that quarterly report and soak in the sun from your outdoor office.

Arranging this office can be tricky, as you still need important things like electricity, temperature control, and a distraction-free workspace. Well, we’ve got you covered. We picked out some of the best office supplies to make sure you can be productive at your desk and relaxed in the fresh air, all at the same time.

Related Videos

Invest in temperature control

Having a backyard studio is great because you’re exposed to the elements, but you still reap the benefits of the openness of the great outdoors, especially if your space has tons of windows and glass doors. For the balmy summers and frigid winters, make sure your office is at a temperature that’s conducive to productivity. Most outdoor studios don’t have central AC or heat, so purchase a fan or space heater to keep the office at a good temperature. This GAIATOP space heater is small but mighty, and the modern globular design will give your office a bit of flare.

Embrace textiles

To keep your office feeling homey, put in a rug. This is optional for outdoor studios but is certainly a necessity if your office doesn’t have a finished floor and it’s sitting directly on the patio or concrete. We love this Lahaina rug from Wayfair because it brings all the colorful, floral elements of a garden into the office. It’s made of polypropylene, so it’s durable enough to withstand extreme outdoor elements. Plus, it’s super soft, so you can go barefoot while you work, which is one of the best benefits of working from home! It’s also easy to clean after a spill with a scrub brush and some gentle carpet cleaner.

Don’t forget the basics

The key to a productive workday is being comfortable. With a desk that fits your height and an ergonomic desk chair that supports your back, you don’t have to worry about discomfort or pain distracting you from your work. For backyard patios and other smaller spaces, consider a compact desk like this Sinpaid 40″ desk with shelving to keep your office necessities. Pair it with this lumbar-supporting, ergonomic mesh desk chair and you’ve got a cozy office space that still delivers everything you’ll need.

Stay energized

Instead of walking back and forth to the house for water and snacks, invest in a mini-fridge so you have everything right at your fingertips. We love this retro Frigidaire mini-fridge from Amazon, and since it comes in a bunch of fun colors like bright red, pink, and turquoise blue, it breaks up the monotony of traditional office designs. The fridge is 3.2 cubic feet and comes with a can opener for your mid-day pick-me-up or end-of-day Happy Hour. Stock this fridge with snacks that are full of protein so you can remain energized and focused all day. We recommend adding cheese, fruit, dips, and sandwich ingredients to your grocery list so, when hunger strikes, you have snacks close at hand. 

Purchasing or building an outdoor office may seem like a luxury, but it’s well worth the investment. Working in an office, whether it’s in your home or otherwise, can get boring. By moving your work environment, you can give yourself a burst of energy inspired by your new surroundings. Having multiple office spaces is also helpful when someone else in the home also works remotely. In this instance, you can trade off the outdoor and indoor spaces to make sure you both get the fresh air you need.

Once you have all the basics of the office, spend some time adding some flair and excitement with wall decor, plants, candles, pictures, and other items that will make the space pop. The key is finding what inspires you at work and surrounding yourself with those features to keep you motivated all day long. If you don’t have the time or space to arrange an outdoor office, be sure to take a few minutes every day to go for a walk and clear your head. Your body and brain will thank you for the fresh air and vitamin D.

Editors' Recommendations

What colors go with taupe? Striking ways to design your home
taupe wall paint with taupe chairs and a large plant

With a range of dark and light shades to choose from, taupe is a versatile color fit for sleek wall tones, soothing accents throughout the room, or simple shades on furniture. If you love taupe and are eager to incorporate it into your design, then we have a few tips for you. Below are some of the best complementary shades for taupe, as well as the most striking ways to style it in your home.
What color is taupe?
A common question that homeowners often ask is, "Is taupe brown or gray?" And while it may sound confusing, the simple answer is that it is a bit of both. Taupe is a blend of both brown and gray tones, similar to what many designers call "greige." However, greige is much lighter than taupe, which typically has a heavier undertone of brown. Taupe is also more than a single shade. It can appear colder or warmer depending on the hue, saturation, and other colors nearby that influence how it looks.

What colors go with taupe?
Since taupe can range from cooler and lighter brown-gray tones to darker, warmer shades, this color can often be a challenge to decorate with. Luckily, taupe's versatility creates plenty of opportunities to find color combinations that create stunning palettes.
Does gray go with taupe?
Gray is an excellent accompaniment to taupe. Some may be concerned that these colors look too similar to work well in the same color palette, but these two hues are commonplace in traditional, modern, and minimal designs. When using taupe and gray together in the same palette, try using warmer taupe tones, like those with green or rich brown undertones. Then, choose a darker charcoal gray or a warm, true gray for the accents.
Is brown a good color pairing for taupe?
If you prefer a warmer look, include a rich brown shade in your taupe-based palette, using brown hues with red or orange undertones for extra warmth. Yellow browns can also bring out the subtle gray and green undertones of taupe. For a 1970s boho aesthetic, use an orange or red-based brown to add a touch of vibrancy. Softer browns and muted taupes can also be fantastic, particularly for more traditional design aesthetics.
Can blue and taupe go together?
Blue is a bolder pairing for taupe, as the neutrality of taupe balances the excitement of bright blue. Cool, muted taupe hues look beautiful alongside a rich royal or navy blue, whereas warmer taupe tones look best beside pale blues like periwinkle and seafoam shades. When using blue and taupe together, it's best to use taupe as the base color, then add blue accents throughout the space. This adds sophistication without detracting from the subtle beauty of the taupe, creating a beachy aesthetic that brings the seaside right into your own home.

Read more
5 easy ways to update your home for under $500
Kitchen with a green tile backsplash

When most homeowners think of renovations, they think of time-consuming projects that always run over budget. And often, they’re right. But updating your home doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Tearing down cabinets and installing brand-new hardwood floors aren’t the only ways to bring your home design into the present. With a bit of planning and elbow grease, you can refresh your home with inexpensive upgrades that will have a considerable impact. Here are five DIY home projects that you can easily complete for less than $500.

Give the bathroom a makeover
Transforming your bathroom into a spa-like oasis doesn’t have to be an expensive project. With a few thoughtful updates, you can create the bathroom of your dreams while staying on budget. Here are a few high-impact ideas that won’t break the bank.

Read more
25 stellar staircase ideas to freshen up the look of your home
Not ready for an entire remodel? Freshen up your staircase with these 25 ideas
Young woman on stairs in a loft caring for potted plants.

If you want to change the interior of your house, you can change out throw pillows and invest in new furniture, but your stairs are a set thing, right? Not quite. You may not be able to move stairs or rip them out entirely, but you can get creative about your stair design. Changing up your staircase can be one way to upgrade the look of your home and it isn't as difficult as you may think. If you aren’t sure how to accomplish this, we’ve got 25 ideas ranging from subtle to dramatic to help you figure it out.

Upgrading your staircase
Some of the projects here take just a few minutes while others are more involved, but all of them will refresh your stair space and give your stairs a chance to shine as part of your decor and not just a forgotten transition. You may want to incorporate more than one of these ideas too, depending on your existing decor and what you are trying to accomplish.

Read more