Design tips for an office canteen
4 minute read
The office cafeteria isn’t just an area in which employees can eat; it should also be viewed as a breakout zone, where people can retreat to make a cup of tea/coffee, or enjoy lunch away from their desk. This area therefore needs to be designed differently to the office space both in aesthetics and functionality, whilst still retaining brand personality.
Firstly, it’s important to plan out the space to ensure your new cafeteria is large enough to cater for your workforce. It’s a good idea to base the seating options on how many chairs you have in the office, as this will give you an indication of how much seating you need. As this is a more informal space, consider offering a variety of seating options for increased inclusivity. For instance, you could install both high tables and stools, in addition to lounge/sofa seating to suit a variety of preferences.
It’s also important to try and centre the positioning of your furniture around the lighting that you have available to you. For example, if you’re fortunate to have a window wall that lets in large amounts of natural light, be careful to avoid blocking this area – as natural lighting is extremely beneficial for employee happiness and motivation. Alternatively, if your space is unsuitable for fitting large windows, consider installing multiple lighting options; soft and accent lighting are ideal for creating ambience.
When starting to think about aesthetics, spend a little time deciding which colours will work best for your space. It’s well known that colour is directly linked to emotion – so you can, literally, choose your colours based on the desired effect that you want them to have. Whilst bright colours such as red and orange are correlated with high energy, confidence, power and creativity, cooler colours like blue and green instil feelings of trust, loyalty and prosperity. Such opposing personality traits as these might mean that you’d like to find a way to combine colours – which is where a professional designer will step in. Simultaneously, you’re also going to want to ensure that you stay true to your brand colours and ethos, and at this stage, it’s important to consult with a professional to discover how each of your desired colours can be used to enhance each other.
When deciding on the rest of the décor, think about adding in pieces that inspire and boost health. Indoor greenery and plants have been shown to reduce levels of carbon dioxide and improve our mental wellbeing. Similarly, hanging pieces of artwork can drive inspiration and encourage creativity.
Above all else, it’s vital that your office canteen is furnished with all of the essential equipment and facilities needed. From crockery and cutlery to a refrigerator, microwave, kettle and coffee machine, planning out space for each item and ensuring that all facilities are included is vital.
Although not an area in which employees will necessarily be working, the staff canteen should be given just as much consideration, as it’s important to have somewhere that people can retreat to. Making this area a pleasant place to be will improve employee satisfaction and productivity levels, helping them to refresh and rejuvenate for the rest of the day.
At Cobus, our expert team have years of experience in helping businesses create a breakout zone that’s relaxing and inspirational, yet true to the brand’s personality. To find out more, contact a member of our team here.
