When you’re planning a new office or looking to update your current space, you’ll likely have to prioritize where your resources will go. With so much to address, the breakroom can end up at the bottom of the list. However, breakrooms are much more than just a space to stash leftovers. Studies show that having a welcoming and fun space for your team to unwind is critical to your office’s performance and morale. Whether you’re starting a new business, moving to new office digs, or wanting to upgrade your current space, here are a few simple ways to build a breakroom that will wow your team.
Make it Fun
Sometimes, you just need to step away from your work for a little breather. Having a few games will encourage your employees to detach from their work. Taking a few short breaks throughout the day does wonders to relieve stress and improve overall concentration. The games don’t have to be elaborate or expensive! Just having a simple, fun distraction can help improve someone’s day.
Keep it Separated
A boisterous breakroom is distracting to people that are trying to focus. If you have an open floorplan, consider adding room dividers or partitions so that people socializing don’t disturb those trying to work. If dividers aren’t an option, set the space apart from the rest of the office by painting the walls a different color or with more casual seating options.
Provide Awesome Snacks and Drinks
The food and beverage options are critical to your breakroom. Not only will high quality, healthy snacks increase productivity, they also show that you care about your team’s well-being. Plus, if your employees don’t have to leave the office to get a decent cup of coffee, there’s no lost time or annoying errands.
Stock Up on the Basics
Don’t forget about the items you’ll need to enjoy the excellent food and drink options you’ve provided! Your breakroom should supply an array of utensils, dishware, mugs, and glasses. Ideally, try to avoid disposable amenities to cut back on waste. If you want to go the extra mile, a selection of condiments will impress. You’ll also want to have a variety of cleaning supplies on hand so that the space doesn’t get too messy.
Just Ask!
If you’re interested in what your employees want, the simplest thing to do is go to them directly. Rather than open-ended questions, the best way to get an idea of what they’d like is to send an anonymous survey. Having a few options for food, beverage, and design options will make the process easy and keep things within your budget and space constraints. After all, a fireman’s pole sounds cool but isn’t exactly realistic for most offices.
Research shows that a great breakroom is more than just an afterthought. Giving your team a space to decompress and socialize increases productivity and create cohesion. Luckily, you don’t have to spend a fortune to make a difference. Even a small upgrade or change can have a significant impact! Since one of the easiest and most valuable components of any breakroom are snacks and drinks, get in touch today and see how we can take your space from so-so to outstanding.
