Temperature Control: Working Outside in Summer Heat and Cooler Seasons

Creating a great outdoor office can help bring an entirely new perspective to the workday. And it’s getting more popular, with nearly 22% of the workforce (around 32.6 million Americans) working remotely and able to choose their workspace.

But using that outdoor office comfortably in the hot and cold seasons requires a bit of creativity.

Depending on where you live, the temperature can determine whether your patio is a year-round second office or a well-intentioned (yet often-abandoned) idea.

If you’ve already dialed in your gear with the best outdoor furniture and equipment, then this is the next step: building a plan for managing whatever the seasons throw your way.

 

How Does Temperature Impact Outdoor Productivity?

Did you know that your brain has an ideal temperature and focus zone? Decades of workplace research point to a productivity sweet spot around 70°F. Cognitive performance holds steady in the low-to-mid 70s. If you push past that, the output starts to slip. Research has found that heat stress reduces productivity outdoors by 29–41%!

For cold weather, think the same but opposite. The colder it gets, the harder your body works to warm itself up, which can drag on your reaction time and attention.

•  - Peak focus tends to happen in temperatures around 70°F, but most can work comfortably through the mid-70s
• - Your performance will start to slip 2-3% per degree as heat builds past 68°F
• - Spending even 20 minutes outdoors can lower your cortisol levels and restore concentration (in the right temperatures!)

 

How to Stay Cool When Working Outside in the Summer Heat

Make Sure You Have Shade

One of the best defenses against heat-related productivity loss while outside is good shade. A pergola can help turn an exposed patio into a usable space by reducing direct sunlight and lowering the temperature beneath it. The Bodhi Pergola does this with an interconnecting lattice top, 304-grade stainless steel hardware, and a NatureTEX poly-lumber frame backed by a 12-year residential warranty. That means your shade solution won't rot or fade, and won’t need refinishing after every season.

 

• - When picking a shade, choose a size that covers your desk and chair fully. Our Bodhi pergola is a great choice and runs from 8x8 up to 12x12 
• - Position your shade to block both midday and afternoon sun, which tend to be the hottest working hours each day
• - Quality poly-lumber construction can handle direct UV and harsh weather conditions without constant maintenance or replacement 

 

Sit on Breathable and Light-Colored Furniture

When you’re working outside, what you sit on is just as important as what’s overhead. Dark surfaces have a nasty habit of absorbing heat, which you’ll quickly notice the longer you sit (or if you sit down after it’s been baking in the sun for a few hours!) Opt instead for lighter tones that reflect heat and stay light to the touch. The Lehigh Deep Seating collection has cushioned seating that’s wrapped in fade- and mildew-resistant Sunbrella fabric.

 

• - When picking outdoor furniture, choose light, neutral colors that reflect light and heat
• - Sunbrella cushions are designed to resist fading and moisture throughout the summer months
• - Outdoor furniture with deep seating helps support good posture all day long 

 

Cut the Screen Glare

You might assume that heat is the biggest issue on a sunny day but direct sunlight can also wash out your device screen and increase eye strain. When you set up your desk outside, consider where the sun will be throughout your working hours. You want a spot where you can protect your device and avoid boosting the screen brightness (which can drain your battery quickly!) Outdoor office cooling and glare control tend to go hand in hand.

• - Set up your outdoor desk with the sun behind your screen rather than behind you
• - Work under a pergola or umbrella to keep your display in the shadows
• - Raise your screen contrast and switch on "dark mode" to help improve readability in daylight

 

Tips for Staying Warm when Working Outside in Cooler Weather

Add a Fire Space to Your Working Area

Colder weather is great for focused work. Research shows that “lost work time” is lowest when temperatures are around 64°F. To combat this, add a dedicated heat source to your outdoor work area. A fire table is great for warmth and can also double as a surface for your coffee – just stay safe when using the fire! The Oasis Fire Table runs on propane with a push-button electronic ignition and includes a glass guard and a steel lid for safety.

 

 

• - Propane ignition means instant, controllable warmth with no smoke to work around
• - The glass wind guard and steel lid make it safe to keep it lit while you work
• - Poly-lumber construction stands up to cold, damp and freeze-thaw weather 

 

Choose Furniture Designed for All Four Seasons

During the cooler months you’ll probably be in and out more than you expect. You shouldn’t have to set up and tear down your furniture every time you switch workspaces. But keeping furniture outside all year means investing in high-quality pieces.

Highwood pieces are made from recycled poly lumber, so they won't crack or warp when temperatures drop. Great cold-weather options include an Adirondack chair or a deep seating set layered with a throw.

• - Adirondack chairs are designed to be great for working and relaxing
• - Furniture built with all-weather poly lumber doesn't get damaged by rain, snow, or yearly freeze-thaw cycles
• - The right furniture means you can leave everything set up year-round

 

Three Outdoor Office Setups That Work Year-Round

1. A Covered Porch Office

A covered porch is one of the best outdoor workspaces because it’s already shaded and partly sheltered from rain. Having a built-in cover makes it easy to set up and use in both warm and cold months, and you can add a variety of furniture to the space depending on how you intend to use it.

 

 

• - Having an existing roof cover helps with blocking the sun, rain, snow and wind without an umbrella or pergola
• - If safe to do so, add a fire table nearby to extend the season into cooler months
• - Build your covered porch office around deep seating to help you stay comfortable throughout the workday

 

2. The Backyard Patio Workspace

An open patio can also work for an outdoor work office. Depending on the size and shape of your patio, you can enjoy the benefits of being outdoors while still getting work done. You may need to consider adding in a shade such as the Bodhi Pergola for overhead cover and you’ll want to arrange your seating underneath to stay cool and glare-free.

 

 

• - A pergola works well on an open patio to keep the temperatures down and glare away
• - If furniture is going to be exposed to the elements, go with light-colored, weatherproof options to stay cool (and maintenance-free)
• - Open patios create plenty of room to expand making it easy to add in dining or lounge pieces as your needs change

 

3. The Fireside Fall Workstation

There’s something pretty magical about working outside in the chill of fall. What’s better than watching leaves change and fall while you stay productive? For a fireside fall workspace, build Adirondack chairs around a fire table. This arrangement makes cold-weather outdoor work comfortable, and you can quickly turn it around to host friends for happy hour around the fire!

 

 

• - A fire table is one of the best ways to deliver warmth to an outdoor workspace while staying uncluttered
• - Choose chairs that fit well around a center fire pit or table, and can recline when you are ready to take a rest from the workday

 

Your Outdoor Work Oasis Awaits

Working outside doesn’t mean you have to tough it out! If you set up your space for the season you're in and invest in the best-quality outdoor furniture, you’ll be ready to get some serious work done while enjoying the benefits of being outside.

Don’t be surprised if people start to ask how you got so productive – just tell them that you’ve been getting fresh air while knocking out those emails and remote meetings!