How to Design an Office Outdoor Area

Offices that have a dedicated outdoor space have a fantastic opportunity to enhance the workplace. Outdoor office spaces can have genuine tangible benefits to employees, from wellbeing to improved productivity.

As part of our How to design an office series, this guide explores how to design an outdoor office space. This guide takes a look at the importance of outdoor spaces for offices, types of outdoor spaces, and what to consider when redesigning an outdoor space for an office

When outdoor spaces in the office are designed well, they can deliver value in many ways. Similarly to breakout spaces, they're among the most versatile areas in the office. When designed well, they can provide areas for both work and relaxation.

Supporting wellbeing and mental health

Most of us spend the working day indoors, under artificial light and in front of a screen. Stepping outside, even for ten minutes, changes that. Fresh air, daylight and a view of the sky give the mind a chance to reset, easing stress and the mental fatigue that builds up over a long day.

Outdoor space also gives people a proper reason to leave their desks at lunch. A sandwich eaten on a sunny terrace is a genuine break and encourages people to step away. This, in turn, will help staff fulfilment and productivity.

Bringing people closer to nature through biophilic design

Biophilia describes our built-in need to connect with nature. It's why we feel calmer by the sea, in a park, or simply next to a window with a view of trees. Biophilic design brings that connection into the buildings where we spend our time, and it matters more than ever.

Inside the office, biophilic design often means imitating nature through plants, timber and natural patterns. Outdoors, there's no need to imitate. An outdoor area is the most direct way to deliver biophilic design, with real planting, natural materials such as timber and stone, open views and the changing seasons all working together.

The most successful projects treat inside and outside as one space. Continuing the same planting, materials and colour palette across the threshold, keeping floor levels flush and using wide glazed doors all help an outdoor area feel like a natural continuation of the office rather than a separate destination.

Improving focus and creativity

Sometimes the best way to solve a problem is to step away. A change of scene helps people reset and think differently.

Outdoor space works well for both ends of the spectrum. A quiet, shaded corner gives someone room for solo thinking time, while a table in the sun invites the kind of informal, creative conversation that rarely happens in a meeting room.

Every building is different, and the right outdoor space depends on what you already have and how your people work. The most common options include:

• Roof terraces: often the largest and most dramatic option, with views and plenty of sunlight, but more exposed to wind and weather.

• Courtyards: sheltered, enclosed spaces that feel calm and private, ideal for eating, meeting and quiet work.

• Ground-floor gardens: easy to access and perfect for generous planting, events and larger gatherings.

• Balconies and smaller terraces: compact spaces that are ideal for a quick break, a phone call or a coffee with a colleague.

• Covered and semi-outdoor spaces: loggias, winter gardens and canopied areas that give the feeling of being outside while protecting people from the weather.

• Outdoor meeting and dining areas: dedicated settings for team meetings, working lunches and client entertaining.

Designing for the British weather

Start by understanding how the sun moves across the space throughout the day and the year. A south-facing terrace can become an uncomfortable sun trap in July, while in the cooler, wetter months, canopies, covered areas and retractable awnings give people a reason to step outside even when it's drizzling.

Wind is often underestimated, particularly on roof terraces. Glass screens, hedging and dense planting can all act as windbreaks, creating sheltered pockets that feel comfortable for much longer each year. Add electric infrared heaters on timers or sensors, good lighting for dark winter afternoons and surfaces that drain and dry quickly, and the space can work well beyond the summer months.

Power, Wi-Fi and technology

Weatherproof power sockets, charging points built into furniture and strong Wi-Fi coverage across the whole space, not just near the door.

Think about screens too. Laptops are difficult to use in direct sunlight, so position work settings in shaded areas. Bringing the outdoor space into your booking system and treating it as part of the same connected workplace technology as the rest of the office helps it feel like a genuine place to work.

Furniture, finishes and planting

Outdoor furniture needs to cope with rain, sun and frost year after year. Choose commercial-grade pieces in durable, weather-resistant materials such as powder-coated aluminium or responsibly sourced hardwood, and plan storage for cushions and soft furnishings when they're not in use.

Offer a mix of seating heights and types, so the space supports eating, meeting, working and relaxing. Seats with backs and arms, level access and a choice of sunny and shaded spots all help make the space work for everyone.

Planting is what brings the biophilic approach to life. Choose low-maintenance species that suit the conditions, include evergreens so the space still looks good in February, and add pollinator-friendly plants to support biodiversity.