Outdoors is the news indoors

Consider your open space as an extension of your office. The furniture should, therefore, match the other rooms and your corporate image. Hammocks are appropriate in the creative or start-up industries, for example, but are not necessarily the best choice in traditional industries.

Remember also to keep an eye on the intended use: Low lounge furniture is not practical for lunch. Space-saving picnic benches, on the other hand, are more suitable.  

Take note: So that your team can work outside and hold meetings, sockets and Wi-Fi should be available near the furnishings.

If you don’t want to go indoors every time there’s a downpour, you need a roof over your head. This is especially true for outdoor spaces, which should attract your employees outside, even in bad weather.

When it comes to plants, you can easily make use of the full potential: They don’t cost much, but they can transform dreary patios or terraces into natural oases in no time. Green leaves and colourful flowers have a positive effect on the mood and improve the feel-good factor. In addition, a larger area can be attractively arranged with plant boxes. Thus they belong in every great outdoor area.

Good lighting in outdoor areas serves two purposes: Firstly, it extends the time you can use the space. Shorter days in the winter months or evening events outdoors are no longer a problem. Secondly, atmospheric lighting sets the stage for your outdoor areas.

You have found the right furniture, provided lighting, shelter and landscaped your premises? Congratulations, your basic framework is in place. What is now missing are small but effective accessories and equipment to give your outdoor area the finishing touches.

To really get your head clear, you should leave the building. Walking helps to think more clearly again. Stress levels are also demonstrably falling. In winter, walking becomes even more important to get more daylight and to dispel the gloomy mood – by the way, this even applies when the sky is cloudy. And for those who prefer to stay indoors, please keep your hands off the telephone, e-mails and the Internet. It’s better to step on your feet because exercise is good for every break and especially for you.

Filling up with positive energy and returning to work with good thoughts, unfortunately, does not work if you spend the break talking about work, brooding about work and scolding about work. Instead, keep up your social contacts, talk about the weekend or sports that interest you. Do everything you enjoy – just don’t talk about work.

Those who take regular breaks and eat consciously and slowly will get through their working day better and more relaxed. When hungry, many people quickly become unfocused, irritable and less efficient. Not to mention the ravenous appetite attacks, which are never particularly healthy. And please never forget: the world does not end in 5 minutes.

Power napping is considered to be the ultimate way to “sleep” quickly in order to become powerful again more quickly. But please never stay longer than 20 minutes: Alarm clocks are obligatory because from 30 minutes the deep sleep phase can already begin. To be torn out of deep sleep would be counterproductive during a power nap.

Experts say that these short breaks are useful – for example, to exchange ideas with colleagues and strengthen the relationship, or to close your eyes and take a deep breath.

The outdoor facilities are exposed to the weather conditions for better or worse. Covered areas allow your employees to enjoy the fresh air even in strong sunshine or bad weather. Roofed areas and shelters protect smoking areas or bicycle parking lots from wind and rain. Awnings and parasols provide effective protection for your seating.

In order for your employees to feel comfortable outdoors, safety must always be guaranteed. High hedges, fences and walls not only protect against prying eyes but also against unwanted intruders and vandalism. In winter, when snow and black ice are present, it is important to prevent your employees from slipping. To do this, you should equip yourself with gritting material, gritting trucks and grit containers.

Only a well-tended outdoor area makes a good impression. That’s why you should take the care necessary for proper office cleaning outside and keep your outdoor area clean all year round. It is also worth laying out dirt-trapping mats to prevent dirt from being carried from outside to inside.

Even if the days are getting shorter, your employees should be able to use the outdoor area. Therefore, good lighting is essential. After all, no one should stray from the path or get injured in the dark. Solar lights are particularly practical here, as they do not require electricity.

The non-smokers among your employees should not have to stand permanently in smoke when they spend time outdoors. Therefore, it makes sense to create a separate smoking area. Equip these with ashtrays, this way, you can ensure that cigarette butts do not soil your paths and entrance areas.