The era of mundane office environments is long gone. It's time to bid farewell to uninspiring designs and layouts that demotivate employees. Instead, embrace new ways of working by creating inviting and productive communal areas in your office. In this article, we'll provide you with five vital design tips, covering everything from worktops to flooring, ensuring both practicality and style.
Establish a Clear Purpose
Don't just add chairs and tables to an unused office space. Define its purpose – whether it's for lunch breaks, breakout meetings, or guest seating. Design accordingly to ensure the space is utilized effectively. By establishing a clear purpose, you create a sense of intention and functionality within the communal area. This clarity helps employees understand and make the most of the space provided.
Choose Inviting, Functional Flooring
When it comes to flooring, consider options like luxury vinyl tile (LVT), resin flooring, or carpet tiles. LVT is versatile, quick to install, and visually appealing. It can mimic the appearance of natural materials like wood or stone, adding a touch of elegance to your communal area. Resin flooring, on the other hand, is durable, safe, and offers various design options. It is a great choice for areas that experience high foot traffic. Carpet tiles provide a soft-surface flooring option that can handle heavy loads while offering comfort and sound insulation. Choose a flooring material that not only looks great but also meets the functional needs of the space.
Include Well-Equipped Kitchens
A well-equipped kitchen is an essential element of any productive communal area. Create a space where employees can socialize and take breaks, rejuvenating themselves throughout the day. Provide a high-volume coffee maker, refrigerator, and microwave to cater to their needs. If space is limited, consider designing dual-purpose areas with granite worktops that can serve as both workstations and dining spaces. Complement these areas with coffee machines to encourage employees to interact and collaborate in a relaxed environment.
Introduce Smaller Conference Rooms
Sometimes, impromptu meetings and brainstorming sessions arise within communal areas. To cater to these needs, incorporate smaller conference rooms or private spaces within the communal area design. These rooms can be equipped with computers, whiteboards, and phones for easy collaboration. By having these smaller meeting spaces readily available, you eliminate the hassle of booking traditional meeting rooms, enabling spontaneous collaboration and idea-sharing.
Empower Employees
Involving employees in the design process is crucial for creating a truly engaging and productive communal area. Appoint representatives to come up with ideas within a given budget, allowing employees to contribute to the overall design and functionality. Encourage staff engagement and creativity by providing opportunities for them to share their input. When employees feel empowered and have a sense of ownership over their workspace, they are more likely to feel motivated and inspired.
By following these five design tips, you can create effective communal areas in your office that foster productivity and collaboration among employees. Embrace purpose-driven designs, choose flooring materials that are both inviting and functional, provide well-equipped kitchen spaces, incorporate smaller conference rooms, and empower your employees. By investing in your communal areas, you'll create an environment that encourages creativity, enhances teamwork, and ultimately leads to greater success in your workplace.