An office kitchen provides employees with a dedicated space where they can get some downtime during their lunch breaks. But not all office kitchens are created equal, with some office kitchens being more basic than others. If you want to make a splash in your workforce, then the secret comes in the office kitchen design itself. In this article, we’ll be explaining why you should consider making an office kitchen a priority, together with everything you can do to make sure the office kitchen is as useful, relaxing and enjoyable as it possibly could be.
Why are office kitchen spaces so important?
You might be wondering what all of the fuss is about when it comes to office kitchen spaces. Why should you bother having an office kitchen professionally installed by a dedicated office fit-out company, like us here at FIT Interiors? Well, there are a few benefits to be had, including the following:
- It enhances employee health – a healthy and happy team makes for a productive workforce. It can also help to lower absenteeism as well as boost morale. Having a kitchen space where employees can bring and prepare their own food will also help them to make healthier choices
- It’s an additional informal meeting space – meeting spaces and conference rooms can be hard to come by. This is why adding a breakout area to your kitchen would be worthwhile, to create an informal meeting space
- Makes a great secondary breakout space – breakout spaces can be a calming and relaxing environment to take a break. It can help boost productivity and morale, making for a hard-working workforce
- It keeps food smells out of the working office space – food smells in the office can be disruptive. Having a dedicated kitchen space keeps those smells contained within that vicinity, and not out in the open
What makes a great office kitchen?
Whether you already have an office kitchen that needs updating or you want to add one from scratch to upgrade your office space, there are a few factors and considerations that you need to take into account when it comes to making a great office kitchen for your employees and fellow team members. So, what makes a great office kitchen that everyone will love? Let’s take a closer look:
Don’t always opt for open plan designs
Open-plan office designs might seem modern. But when it comes to implementing an office kitchen, you might want to partially close it off. Not only does this help to keep distractions down, but it can also keep smells confined to the kitchen. This prevents food smells from filling the air of the workplace in general, which isn’t always pleasant. In addition, not all office kitchens are attractive to look at. Therefore, closing them off from the rest of the office can actually enhance the look of the workplace overall.
Your solution needs to be long-lasting
Office kitchens can be expensive, especially after you’ve purchased appliances like dishwashers, fridges and instant boiling water taps, for instance. As such, you want to make sure that the office kitchen you design and fit is a long-lasting solution. You can do this by choosing quality materials and opting for a professional fit from an office fit-out firm, like Fit Interiors. Another way to ensure a long-lasting solution is to ask an experienced office kitchen designer to make some plans for you.
The design needs to have some purpose
When it comes to designing the perfect office kitchen, you need to make sure that it has a purpose. Consider what you want your office kitchen to do. Do you want it just to be a place where food and drink are prepared, or do you want it to be an informal gathering space where employees can mingle, albeit briefly?
There are many factors involved in its design that can help you to achieve this, from refraining from putting in a seating area nearby to installing boiler water taps for quick and instant cups of tea and coffee. Designing an office kitchen can be time-consuming and complex, which is why many people will outsource this service to office fit-out firms, like us here at FIT Interiors.
If you’re having trouble designing a kitchen space for your office that incorporates everything you want and need for your workplace, then look to FIT Interiors. We have a dedicated team of designers who will be able to listen to your every requirement and incorporate it into the final office kitchen space. For office kitchen refurbishments or office kitchen installation in Nottingham, look no further than FIT Interiors.
Set out some kitchen rules
Kitchen rules are essential in the workplace, especially if your workforce is considerable. Office kitchen rules and etiquette are important when you’re sharing a space with multiple people. It helps to maintain a clean, healthy environment that can be enjoyed by all. But which rules should you be implementing in your new office kitchen? Below are a few of our ideas when it comes to kitchen rules and etiquette in the workplace:
- Wash and dry your dishes
- Never put uneaten food down the drain, scrape leftovers into the bin
- Reseal uneaten food and refrigerate where required
- Never leave unopened or uneaten food out on the counter
- Clean up any spillages immediately
- Clean the microwave should it becomes contaminated with food or drink splashes
- Don’t leave leftovers in the fridge for longer than 48 hours
- Put dry, clean dishes and cutlery away in the corresponding drawers and cupboards
Keep it fun & inspiring
You want your employees to enjoy their lunch or their coffee break in a fun, inspiring and fresh environment. This will then help to set them up for the rest of the working day, ensuring productivity and motivation until their shift is done.
FIT Interiors is pleased to provide a wealth of office fit-out and office refurbishment services in Nottingham, including the installation of office kitchens, washrooms and breakout areas. If you would like further information about the office fit-out services in Nottingham we have available, get in touch with a member of our friendly, knowledgeable team today – we’re always happy to hear from you