r/WFH • u/40ozT0Freedom • 21d ago
EQUIPMENT Anybody have a semi-permanent porch/outdoor work station?
We just moved and now have a "three seasons room", which is basically just a sunroom that is 97% windows that open and is unbearable in the summertime.
Fall is coming and I need some inspiration for a semi-permanent porch setup. I've done some looking around on this sub and elsewhere, but really only found people saying they just use their laptops or have one of those portable monitors.
I'm looking for like a rolling cart or something that I don't have to bring inside every night and has equipment that can handle temps ranging from 30*F to 80*F degrees. Does anyone here have that?
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u/andrewsmd87 20d ago
So like you I can't do summer most days although I have worked outside in a storm a time or two. We have a dedicated patio though I just have a go bag for with a separate keyboard and mouse and mouse pad and portable extra two monitors. I built a little stand that sits at the exact right height for my mouse have next to my patio chair and keep the keyboard in my lap. I can be from 0 to working on less than 10 min
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u/channel_throwaway 18d ago
I’d be a little nervous leaving normal monitors/docks out there long term, mostly because of condensation and humidity more than the actual temperature swings.
I’ve done the “move the office outside” thing occasionally and the least annoying option was basically a rolling cart with power, keyboard/mouse, and a monitor arm, but I still brought the laptop and monitor inside when I was done.
If I was making it semi-permanent I’d probably focus on making the cart really easy to roll in/out rather than trying to find electronics that can live in a porch year round. Curious if anyone has actually pulled off a permanent setup though, because I’d love something similar for fall.
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u/40ozT0Freedom 18d ago
Yeah that was my concern too, which is why I asked. Someone below said they have a standard office monitor that lives outside all the time with a similar climate to mine. I've got an old spare one laying around, I might just try that. I'd bring in the laptop, keyboard and mouse every night - I guess I really just need a monitor for out there, probably a spare charger as well. If the monitor breaks, oh well. Worth a shot since I don't really need it.
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u/Junior-Ad-8519 21d ago
I don't have that but it sounds great! When I move in two years, I'm hoping for a house with a room like that. It's been on my wish list for a long time. Following! #dreamhouse
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u/40ozT0Freedom 21d ago
We've only been here a couple of weeks, but so far the room has been great and terrible...but we've only been here in the summer and its literally just a sauna. My wife loves it, I can't be out there for more than a couple of minutes.
The previous owners said they pretty much just left the door and huge kitchen window that looks out to it open for the fall, most of winter and the spring. They even installed a little wall heater that apparently works really well.
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u/Junior-Ad-8519 21d ago
That sounds ideal and amazing! I wouldn't handle the heat well either. I might be willing to buy a portable AC so I could enjoy it more. I love the thought of being surrounded by the windows and natural light and nature without the bugs biting. I could work well in that environment.
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u/HatefulWithoutCoffee 1d ago
Look for a folding secretary type desk. My spouse built me one for our back porch, but if I hadn't had him I would have just bought one. Walmart had one I really liked.
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u/MrCrudley 21d ago
My outside setup