Do you need to improve your business’s productivity? Consider revamping your kitchen and break room design so your employees can have a nice place to take a breather from work. Studies show that taking breaks can prevent workplace burnout and boost workplace happiness, and 60 percent of workers say that having a comfortable and well-stocked break room would encourage them to take breaks.
You don’t need to do an extensive renovation of your work environment to have an amazing office kitchen and breakroom. With a few tweaks and the right appliances and furniture, you can create a place where your employees can de-stress and prioritize their health. Here are some modern kitchen and break room design ideas for a more productive workplace.
Add Aesthetically Pleasing Appliances to Your Break Room
If your office microwave is making weird noises or if your fridge isn’t cooling properly, you’ll need to call experts to repair and maintain appliances so they’ll keep working well for years. Since your employees use the appliances several times a day, it only makes sense to call maintenance service professionals whenever necessary. But if your office kitchen appliances are more than 10 years old, or if they’re constantly breaking down, it may be time to replace them with new models. Choose appliances that will last for a long time, have energy-saving properties, and are aesthetically pleasing to improve the look of your break room.
Consider having a color theme in mind before picking out appliances. For instance, if you want to add a retro vibe to your office kitchen, think about having a refrigerator, microwave oven, toaster, and coffee maker in pastel colors like mint green or pink. Red or yellow appliances can add an energizing effect to your space, while white appliances with wood or beige details can give your break room a minimalistic and Scandinavian feel.
Make Comfort a Priority
It’s hard to relax if you’ve got nothing but plastic chairs in your break room. You want to create a haven for your employees, so make comfort a priority and add plush seating to your space. Think sofas and oversized bean bags that your workers can nap on, and upholstered cafe seats and booth seating that they can use while having meals or snacks. Install fans to improve air flow, and soften overhead lighting with decorative light fixtures. Don’t forget to decorate to add coziness and a bit of playfulness to the room. A few live plants here and there, some cushions on the chairs, and fun posters or prints can make an impact without breaking the bank.
Don’t Forget the Snacks
Studies show that young adults love to eat snacks several times a day. 44 percent of Millennials say that they often have snacks between meals, while a quarter of all Gen Z eat snacks more than once a day. This is why many businesses have started investing in snacks and beverages for their employees, and the average company spends more than $14,000 a month on these perks.
To boost your employees’ health, have more than a coffee station in your break room. Consider having a DIY trail mix station in the room by adding dispensers filled with nuts, seeds, and dried fruits to your break area. Provide disposable cups so your employees can take their snacks to their workstations, or encourage them to bring their own reusable containers to minimize waste. You can also add a cereal bar, or set up a sandwich vending machine that only requires a quarter per sandwich so your staff can have a filling snack for a very low price.
Breaks are necessary for your employee’s health and work performance, so provide them with a place where they can rest and replenish their energy at work. Consider these break room design ideas to create a modern and fun space that your workers will love to spend time in, and see how it helps to improve their productivity and work quality.
