How Businesses Can Make the Most of Their Outdoor Space
Many businesses are constantly adapting their work environments to help employees feel at ease and keep them comfortable and happy. With mental health issues rising and many professionals struggling in their workplace, it is more important than ever for companies to create a warm, welcoming, and comfortable environment to keep staff satisfied. However, this typically is focused on changing the indoor space to make work easier and provide staff with spaces to retreat to when it all gets too much. The outdoor space of a business can be wasted and often overlooked as a space that employees can use. But the outdoors brings humans many benefits, boosting our mental and physical health. These benefits are much more than what the indoor environment can bring, and are the perfect space for staff to retreat to when they get overwhelmed.
Whether you have a large outdoor space with luscious lawns, a small patio, or even a rooftop space, utilizing the outdoors can provide you with ways to improve employee well-being, encourage collaboration, and create a better, more dynamic customer experience. Encouraging your employees to head outdoors in their free time and when they need to escape the stress by transforming your space is one of the best ways to turn around employee satisfaction, which helps you to retain your staff. All you need to achieve this is a little thoughtful planning and the right infrastructure to create beautiful outdoor spaces that reflect your company’s brand and create happier staff.
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Using Every Bit of the Outdoors
In the past, outdoor areas were viewed as unused landscaping or a corner to smoke in, but now, they are way more than that. Many businesses are realizing that utilizing the outdoors can bring many benefits to their staff and their business. These spaces can serve multiple functions, from employee break zones and informal meeting spots to public-facing lounges or places to exercise and clear the mind. When you start to tap into the potential of outdoor spaces at your workplace, seeing them as an asset rather than an afterthought, you can unlock endless possibilities that improve your company culture and boost employee engagement.
Simply investing in your outdoor area can address numerous vital aspects that need to be included in company initiatives. You can include areas from wellness and productivity levels to sustainability and client engagement. Outdoor environments that are comfortable and functional can even reduce the reliance on indoor energy consumption and provide a welcome change of scenery for employees and visitors.
Improving the Employee Experience
When you’re taking on the massive challenge of creating a better workplace, you don’t just need to focus on inside the workplace, but also the outside. It has been proven that easy access to fresh air and natural light directly improves our mood and productivity levels. With simple upgrades like shaded seating, Wi-Fi-enabled zones, and aesthetically pleasing landscaping, outdoor spaces can become a paradise for employees to recharge during breaks or even take meetings in a more relaxed setting. It creates a space where they can connect to nature, go for a walk to get some exercise, and take a breather when the working day gets too much for them. The outdoors can be a great reset for everyone, helping staff return to work feeling refreshed and ready to tackle their workload once more.
Many tech-forward companies are also using their outdoor areas to support hybrid work environments. Covered structures equipped with power outlets and lighting allow for mobile work setups, giving employees the freedom to move away from traditional desks without sacrificing connectivity or comfort.
Encourage Exercise with Walking Trails
If your business has a larger plot of land, you could implement some walking trails to encourage your staff to exercise regularly. Add paths that allow your employees to walk on their own or with others to refresh their minds and improve their overall health. These paths should provide beautiful views of nature, from trees and colorful flowers to manicured grass and stunning wildlife. Doing this not only improves the look of your business, adding value to your property and interest, but it also ensures your employees get some exercise and de-stress during very stressful working days. Having beautiful outdoor areas with walking trails that uncover every element of nature attracts more customers to your business, boosting the name of your business and creating a positive brand image. On top of this, the open trails can be used as a venue for discussions with business partners and clients, rather than a boring meeting room.
Creating Functional Multi-Use Zones
One of the most exciting trends in commercial property development is the move toward multi-use outdoor zones. Businesses are designing areas that serve more than one purpose, blending aesthetics with functionality. For instance, a sheltered area can double as a break zone and a client meeting space to escape the typical environment. Likewise, decorative elements such as vertical gardens or sculptural seating can enhance a company’s brand identity while also serving a practical function.
Investing in weather-resistant furniture, modular fixtures, and outdoor-friendly technology helps businesses adapt their spaces to seasonal needs and varied use cases. These elements ensure that the space remains useful throughout the year, not just in fair weather.
Considering Compliance and Comfort
While creativity and design are critical, businesses also need to be mindful of compliance with health and safety regulations when upgrading their outdoor spaces. This includes considerations such as access control, proper lighting, and designated smoking or vaping areas.
Because of this, some businesses consult professional installers of smoking shelters to ensure that designated outdoor zones are both compliant with regulations and thoughtfully integrated into the overall layout. These installations can help manage traffic flow and provide comfort without disrupting the aesthetic of the environment.
Looking After Greenery for a Pleasant Experience
Once you have implemented furniture and structures that you want to provide in your outdoor space, you need to maintain it regularly to ensure that every time staff use the space, they have a pleasant and successful experience. The land that surrounds your business can attract customers, staff, and people to visit you. Having landscaped gardens that are in pristine condition adds curb appeal to your property and adds a refreshing, peaceful place for everyone to connect to nature and take a breather. So, make sure when you create your outdoor area, the nature is trimmed back, looking breathtakingly beautiful. And keep it that way!
Extending Brand and Culture Outdoors
An often-overlooked advantage of optimizing outdoor space is the opportunity to extend a company’s brand identity beyond its interior walls. Custom signage, branded canopies, and interactive displays can turn a simple courtyard or side lot into a reflection and extension of your company’s culture.
This branding doesn’t always need to be extravagant and in your face. You can just add little subtle touches like matching the color scheme to your company’s or using materials in shelter structures and lighting that reflect your core values. Doing this not only makes every space of your business cohesive, but also helps to build a strong, memorable brand image that leaves a lasting impression on staff, clients, and partners.
As the lines between indoor and outdoor workspaces continue to blur, your business can use the opportunity to rethink and transform their outdoor environment to improve staff wellbeing and satisfaction, while boosting your business success. With careful choice, strategic infrastructure, and a little creativity, your outdoor space can be a powerful tool for employee engagement, brand expression, and overall wellness.