Popular amenities to consider having at your office

Creating a workplace that attracts top talent and promotes employee productivity is more important than ever. While salaries and benefits are crucial, the work environment itself can significantly impact overall job satisfaction and performance, especially if it is negatively affecting employees.

For companies in the UK, offering an office equipped with thoughtful amenities can help foster a positive company culture, improve employee well-being, and boost productivity. By incorporating features such as comfortable breakout spaces, on-site cafes, ergonomic furniture, and fitness facilities, companies can create a positive and inspiring space, improve wellbeing, and offer alternative spaces for staff to enjoy during their time at work, reducing burnout and improving relationships.

An office amenity is any addition to an office that goes beyond the basic requirements of a desk and chair and aims to make a workplace more comfortable, enjoyable, and productive. Office amenities are there to make the employee experience even better, accommodating a range of needs to create a space people want to go to. Examples of this include:

A high-quality, well-equipped café or restaurant is a popular amenity that many employees appreciate. Offering freshly brewed drinks, lunch and healthy snacks can be a great way to keep staff energised throughout the day and also give them somewhere to go when they have some free time. A well-stocked café provides employees with an informal space to meet, network, and unwind during their lunch breaks, encouraging interaction and creativity. Some businesses may even use these spaces for meetings or interviews to set a more informal tone.

Research shows that employees who have access to break areas are more likely to return to their work feeling refreshed, leading to increased productivity. Breakout spaces can be found in and around many modern offices, offering separate areas for desks and meeting rooms. These spaces are typically designed with a more casual aesthetic in mind and may be equipped with comfortable furniture, entertainment stations and technology.

Whether it’s an onsite gym, pilates class, hair salon or yoga room, businesses are beginning to prioritise employee health and wellbeing, and investing in fitness and wellness facilities. Physical activity during the workday has been shown to improve mood, boost energy levels, and increase focus, helping employees maintain good health and also showing that the company cares about their overall well-being.

As well as having certain facilities in place such as kitchen or breakout spaces, businesses also need to ensure that these are stocked and ready to be used throughout the day. This could include having accessible snacks, beverages and refreshments for employees to enjoy. Many modern offices will have a range of free stations installed throughout including coffee machines, water fountains, vending machines and juices.

Access to outdoor spaces can be a game-changer for employee wellbeing. Whether it’s a rooftop terrace, garden, or courtyard, having a green space where employees can step outside and enjoy fresh air is proven to reduce stress, improve relationships and increase productivity. Spending time in nature can boost creativity and mental transparency, which is especially important for employees who may feel fatigued after long hours of work.

Looking to create a new, modern workspace for your employees to thrive in and turn your old workplace into a place of opportunity?

ACI is based in Nottingham, covering the whole of the UK including Derby office fit-outs, Birmingham, Leicester office refurbishments and Manchester. We’ve created a wide range of office design solutions for our clients across many different industries. Our work is completely tailored to each client, so whether you know exactly what you have in mind or if you’d like our experts to point you in the right direction you’re in the right place.

Give us a call at 0115 697 1740 or drop us an email with your project enquiry and we’ll be in touch.