Office Pantry: How to Make One That Your Employees Will Love
Published July 21, 2023
The meeting room is not the office’s heart. Pay attention to other parts of your office and give a space for relaxation and comfort. People are forming essential relationships at work, so creating an excellent office pantry is in your best interest.
Work-life balance is critical, and many employers want to ensure that their employees work in a comfortable setting. Their staff is 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.
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How to Design an Office Pantry
1. Think of a New Style
Your new office pantry should reflect your values and improve employees’ health. It should be a location where people may store food and rest after a long meeting. Your pantry design will affect your employees’ moods. It is critical to pay attention to detail and avoid overcrowding 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 can brighten people’s days and make them feel more at ease and relaxed.
A brighter environment will increase their productivity, so investing in larger windows is prudent. Vitamin D levels are increased by natural light, as are serotonin levels. Your staff will be 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
Before 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 time, so 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.
You can alter the seating arrangement by scattering a few chairs around the bar or on the counter. If your pantry is large enough to accommodate more than 10 people comfortably, lay a few bean bags near the windows. In this manner, your staff will have various 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; 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.
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. Your personnel quickly knocks them down; 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 need not 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 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. New displays or tablets will spark these improvements, 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, providing free options at healthy snack stations will make them feel less compelled to stock up on additional snacks. You can incorporate numerous goods 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 terrific 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 adding a small oven or stove, revolutionizing how 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; if your pantry lacks space, you can relocate them. It’s challenging to locate gadgets in a small area. Inquire of your personnel what they require 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 correctly, and defective wiring might cause injury to others around you. Because we are all forgetful, providing reminders to avoid accidents and property damage is prudent. Remind your personnel to switch off the burner and inspect their belongings before leaving.
They should unplug all devices after 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.
Office Pantry Design Ideas
1. Modern Minimalisttic Design
Make a sleek, simple office pantry with clean lines, minimal colors, and modern furniture like bar stools and cabinets.
2. Nature-Inspired Design
Bring the beauty of nature indoors by adding plants, using earthy colors, and natural materials like bamboo or reclaimed wood in your office pantry.
3. Collaborative Lounge Design
Design a relaxed and comfortable space with nice chairs or sofas, coffee tables, and a communal table for casual meetings and socializing while providing amenities like a coffee machine and snack bar.
4. Tech-Savvy Hub Design
Create a modern, technology-focused pantry with charging stations, smart appliances, and sleek furniture to support a tech-savvy workforce.
5. Cultural Fusion
Embrace diversity by incorporating artwork, decorations, and food from different cultures, using vibrant colors, patterns, and comfortable seating to encourage interaction and cultural exchange in your office pantry.
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About The Author
Meet Rei Bayucca, an experienced writer with a wealth of knowledge across a range of industries. Her passion for crafting thought-provoking articles inspires and educates readers. Get ready to be informed and inspired by her well-crafted content.
