No one likes to stay inside an office all day when there’s beautiful weather outdoors. This summer is proving to be a real scorcher. Once fall approaches in the Atlanta area, tenants and employees will want to get out and enjoy the cooler temperatures.
You can provide the perfect outdoor space for relaxation by installing a patio at your office building. Not only will it boost morale and keep people on-site, but the patio can also become a meeting spot and enhance the curb appeal of your property.
This outdoor space can be a significant selling point for those who enjoy a change of scenery during the day or prefer having lunch outside instead of at their desk or in a break room.
The Benefits of Taking Lunch Outside
With the pressure to always be available and workloads not slowing down, more employees are eating lunch at their desks, which can be detrimental to their well-being and company productivity. Eating outside, even for just 10 to 15 minutes, can benefit everyone.
Firstly, stepping outside for lunch can stimulate creativity. A change of scenery, especially a natural one, can lead to some of the best ideas and make employees more productive when they return to their desks.
Having an outdoor space to enjoy lunch can also improve employees’ mental health. Research shows that green spaces can reduce stress levels and alleviate signs of depression or anxiety. Spending time outdoors has also been shown to lower heart rates.
Outdoor dining also allows employees to benefit from natural sunlight. In addition to providing vitamin D, sun exposure helps:
- Lower blood pressure
- Ease mild depression
- Improve sleep quality
- Enhance the immune system
7 Patio Design Ideas for Office Buildings
Take the conversation — and lunch — outside. From landscape lighting to comfortable seating, transform your office building’s outdoor space with these seven patio design ideas.
1. Plants
Plants are a popular feature for patio areas, and there are several great options to choose from.
- Drought-tolerant flowers like lantanas, marigolds, salvia, and zinnias provide seasonal color during the summer.
- For cool-weather patios, consider fall flowers like pansies and violas. These plants add life to your patio when everything else is dormant.
- Evergreens and flowering shrubs also pair well with patio areas.
Fall is an ideal season for installing new plantings as the cooler temperatures and increased rainfall help plants adjust to their new surroundings before the heat returns.
2. Water Features
Add a relaxing element and focal point to your patio space with water features. From large fountains to modern designs, water features provide soothing sounds and views, perfect for tenants or employees enjoying lunch outdoors.
Water’s tranquil sounds help our brains rest from overstimulation, allowing for relaxation and deeper thinking. A water feature can help employees’ brains switch to a different mode, aiding meditation and creativity.
3. Shade
A beautiful patio area needs to be practical. Ensure the space has all the necessities for comfort, including shade. Options include pergolas, sails, umbrellas, or awnings. The entire patio doesn’t need to be shaded, but certain areas should be. Shade is crucial in Atlanta’s hot summers, making the patio a year-round destination.
4. Privacy
To create a relaxing space for lunch or breaks, consider privacy features. Plants can form natural fences or screens, making the area feel more secluded. Options include juniper and arborvitae, which grow over 10 feet high.
Beyond plants, you can install hardscape features like retaining walls or stand-alone walls made of wood, stone, or brick to complement your building. Soften these walls by turning them into vertical gardens, adding texture and color to your outdoor area.
5. Seating
Add tables and comfortable seating, such as chairs, rockers, or benches, to the patio. Eating lunch on the patio requires both. Benches are popular, but if they lack backs, place them against structures for support. Lightweight aluminum chairs are easy to move and can add a modern twist with bright colors. Seating areas will upgrade the patio, making it a space tenants or employees will want to use.
6. Landscape Lighting
Don’t let shorter days cut into your patio’s usage. Strategically add landscape lighting around the patio area. Outdoor LED lights enhance safety, security, and ambiance. Downlight the patio from trees or the building’s side, and illuminate walkways leading to the patio with path lights.
7. Flexible Furniture
Invest in furniture that can be easily moved and rearranged to suit different group sizes and purposes. This flexibility allows the patio to serve as a space for both individual relaxation and group meetings.
Could Your Commercial Property Benefit from a New & Improved Patio?
Now is the perfect time to upgrade your patio into an inviting, relaxing, and inspiring space. This space can improve employees’ mental, physical, and emotional health, making them more productive and happier at work. It can also positively impact your company’s bottom line.
HighGrove offers a range of commercial landscape design/build services, including patio enhancements and installs. Our experienced team will work with you to create a landscape design for the patio space that will enhance your office building and attract everyone there.
Give HighGrove Partners a call at 678-298-0550 or use our simple contact form to set up a meeting with our Atlanta-based commercial landscape design team.
Last modified: July 1, 2024
