Office Pantry: How to Make One That Your Employees Will Love
Published Oct 10, 2021
The meeting room is not the office’s heart. If you’re serious about promoting business culture and developing a strong collective, it’s critical to pay attention to other parts of your office and give a space for relaxation and comfort. People are forming important relationships at work, and they are more eager than ever to communicate with one another. That is why it is in your best interest to create an excellent office pantry that enables your staff to unwind and establish greater bonds with their coworkers.
Work-life balance is critical, and many employers want to ensure that their employees work in a comfortable setting. Their staff is both happy and productive, and they have mastered the art of striking a healthy balance that enables them to have the best of both worlds. If you want to provide comfort and a space for employees to refuel and unwind, refurbish your office pantry and make permanent modifications.
1. Think of a New Design
Your new office pantry should reflect your values and contribute to employees’ overall health and well-being. It should be a location where people may store food and rest after a long or hard meeting. Your pantry design will have an effect on your employees’ moods. Therefore, it is critical to pay attention to detail and avoid overcrowding this space with furnishings. Find a fresh eye-pleasing color palette. Warm colors will soothe your staff and transport them to their living room or kitchen.
It’s best to avoid overpowering them with bright or dark colors. Instead, the goal is to provide an open space where your team members can express themselves and engage in other activities.
2. Consider Letting the Natural Light in
Natural light can help your office pantry feel more open and airy. Curtains that enable light to enter should be hung, and the area should be ventilated whenever possible. This atmosphere has the ability to brighten people’s days and make them feel more at ease and relaxed.
A brighter environment will increase their productivity, which is why it is prudent to invest in larger windows. Vitamin D levels are increased by natural light, as are serotonin levels. Your staff will be a lot happier and more receptive to fresh ideas if you alter the environment and allow them to enjoy their shifts more.
3. Change the Pantry Layout
Prior to designing a pantry layout, it’s critical to determine which solutions are appropriate for this space in your business. A poorly designed or laid-out website can cause more harm than good. If you want your employees to avoid this area following the makeover, you must first determine the most effective pantry layout and utilize it as a guide.
Your staff will be here for an extended period of time, which is why you must allow them to move freely and without interfering with one another. Place a table in the center and choose chairs without arms to allow additional furniture placement around the table.
By scattering a few chairs around the bar or on the counter, you can alter the seating arrangement. If your pantry is large enough to comfortably accommodate more than 10 people, lay a few bean bags near the windows. In this manner, your staff will have a variety of options while switching from one region to another. They will not feel compelled to leave if their colleagues arrive and request time in the pantry.
4. Prepare Basic Rules
After renovating your office pantry, it’s critical to establish regulations that remind staff to keep this area clean. You’re investing in their comfort by providing additional sleeping space, and they should take care of it by keeping it clean and tidy. Establish a routine for them to clean the refrigerator, counters, and appliances and check for spoiled foods or beverages. They should preserve their food appropriately and notify you if they run out of supplies. Emphasize the need for routine cleaning and encourage them to clear the workplace kitchen and wash their dishes before their shift is complete.
5. Change the Lighting
If your staff is permitted to stay in the office late or work overtime, lighting will affect their performance and mood. Lighting is a critical component of office design, and you should make every effort to create an environment suited for this space. Incandescent lighting is a good option for your office pantry because it emits a warm golden glow that will not overwhelm your staff. This style of illumination is calming and may help prevent migraines.
Ambient lighting is perfect for celebrating your company’s success in the pantry, but it can also be used to create a warm ambiance or to draw attention to rich items or elegance. Avoid small and ornamental lighting. They are easily knocked down by your personnel, and they are neither practical nor required.
6. Put Comfortable Seating
There are numerous methods for providing comfort, but none are more critical than comfortable seats. Your employees must work for eight or more hours per day, and you must consider their physical health if you want them to perform better and increase productivity. Armless chairs do not have to be unpleasant, and you may get a contemporary design for a reasonable price. Each employee should work on an ergonomic chair. However, you do not need to consider these possibilities while working on your pantry design. Adjustable-height chairs are ideal, but tulip chairs are also an option.
7. Invest in Modern Technology
Encouraging your staff to spend more time together can have a significant positive impact on your business. New connections will motivate people to collaborate with one another and rely on one another more. A collaborative workspace can help them perform better, and you should encourage them to spend more time in the pantry and discuss their ideas with their coworkers.
Allowing them to utilize additional extension cords or adding additional outlets to an existing circuit can encourage workers to spend more time in the pantry. More individuals would be able to work simultaneously, either alone or in groups. These improvements will be sparked by new displays or tablets, which you should give if you have a budget for further details.
8. Don’t Forget the Healthy Snacks
Taking a break is significantly more enjoyable when you have your favorite food at your desk. If your organization does not offer free meals to its employees, it would be helpful to give them additional essential snacks and beverages. While teas, coffee, nuts, and candies are not pricey, they can remind the team members of your appreciation. Allow them to express their preferences, but encourage them to make healthier choices and maintain their physical and mental health.
While some employees prefer chips, milk chocolate, or other processed foods, if you provide free options at healthy snack stations, they will feel less compelled to stock up on additional snacks. There are numerous goods that you can incorporate into and around your new pantry. Almonds and walnuts have been shown to promote cognition, while green tea has been shown to increase involvement. Peppermint tea is excellent for focus, while coffee is wonderful for quick bursts of productivity. While coffee makers are necessary, you should also invest in water coolers.
9. Find the Right Appliances
Appliances are critical in this area since they enable personnel to reheat food and brew coffee and tea. Everybody likes to consume a hot meal or components that are as fresh as possible. Spacious pantries allow for the addition of a small oven or stove, which can revolutionize the way your staff pack and eat their meals.
Warn them about the consequences of malfunctions and encourage them to report them immediately upon noticing any signs of danger. Emergency oven repairs can save your appliance and keep your staff safe from flames. Repair faulty wiring and other faults, and safeguard your office, documentation, and other personal property.
If you work with more than ten employees, little refrigerators are insufficient. Refrigerators are necessary, and if your pantry does not have enough space for one, you can relocate it. It’s frequently difficult to locate gadgets for a small area. Inquire of your personnel what they require most and give fundamentals.
10. Ensure Employees’ Safety
Accidents happen everywhere, and they have the potential to injure or destroy your personnel and property. Kitchen appliances can fail to operate properly, and defective wiring might cause injury to others around you. Because we are all forgetful, it is prudent to provide reminders to avoid accidents and property damage. Remind your personnel to switch off the burner and inspect their belongings before leaving.
They should unplug all devices at the conclusion of each day. Emphasize the critical nature of these procedures because they can assist you in avoiding costly damage. In addition, your pantry’s floors should constantly be clean. While removing the daily accumulation of grime and grease might be tedious and time-consuming, it is critical not to omit these processes.
Maintain a minimum of one fire extinguisher in the pantry, and don’t forget to add smoke detectors. At least twice a year, inspect your safety devices and train your personnel on what to do if they discover smoke or fire in the kitchen.
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About The Author
As a professional writer at many renowned websites Krizzia Paolyn has covered a wide range of topics in many industries. Her knack for uncovering important truths and conducting thorough research on each topic she writes about has helped thousands of people across the world.
