Description
The office kitchen interior design plays a rather important role in the modern corporate environment. Research shows that about 50-60% of interactions between company employees occur outside of work premises (especially during joint lunches). However, even though the kitchen is one of the most visited places in the office, many companies do not even think about the effective use of its potential. However, it will be enough to re-equip the premises and install a modern set.
An office kitchen significantly boosts employee well-being and productivity. It fosters a sense of community, providing a space for informal interactions and team bonding. By offering a convenient area for meal preparation and storage, it encourages healthier eating habits and reduces reliance on costly takeout options. This, in turn, can lead to increased energy levels and improved focus throughout the workday.
Furthermore, an office kitchen saves valuable time, eliminating the need for employees to leave the premises for meals. Thus maximizing work efficiency. It also serves as a flexible space for impromptu meetings and collaborative discussions, enhancing communication and innovation within the team. A well-equipped office kitchen contributes to a more positive and productive work environment.
Purpose of office kitchen interior design
The office kitchen is a place where every employee can:
- Have a full lunch or breakfast without taking food to your work station (as this may irritate other workers).
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Sit with friends and colleagues after work and discuss any issues.
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Have a coffee before launching a new product (many departments go into 24/7 mode during roll-out).
It follows that the kitchen should be cozy and comfortable. It should be so equipped that employees do not desire lunch elsewhere. So as not to waste time visiting third-party cafes and canteens.
Features of the office kitchen interior design
The kitchen for the office should be practical and compact. MDF can be used as the material for such a set. Moreover, it is better to choose furniture with painted or enameled facades, since they can last more than 25 years, even taking into account intensive use.
An office kitchen or a tea kitchen has to meet completely different requirements than a private kitchen at home. The following aspects should be taken into account when planning, always depending on the total number of people who use the kitchen on a daily basis.
1. Powerful appliances
Whether it’s a coffee machine or an electric kettle, a dishwasher or a microwave, appliances of this type are constantly in use in the office and must be able to withstand frequent use. Depending on the size of your workforce, it may be worth investing in appliances from the catering supplies section. A quiet and powerful extractor hood is also worthwhile in office kitchens.
2. Easy-care office kitchen surfaces
If a kitchen is used as an office, dirt inevitably accumulates. To ensure that it can be removed in no time and that daily cleaning does not put excessive strain on the material, easy-care stainless steel surfaces with an “Anti-fingerprint” function or gloss lacquer fronts are recommended. Handles on cupboard doors and drawers as well as open storage spaces should be avoided, as they attract dust and give the kitchen a cluttered overall appearance.
3. Dishes and utensils in adequate quantity
Equip your office kitchen or cafeteria so that each person on your team can prepare a three-course meal. It may seem like a lot, but it will be worth it at the next birthday or anniversary party, when coffee and cake are served first, followed by champagne and soup for everyone. When buying pots and pans, look for a wide range of sizes. For hygiene reasons, avoid wooden utensils, such as cutting boards, and use plastic instead.
4. Storage space design
In addition to having enough storage space for dishes and kitchen utensils, your office kitchen should also have enough storage space for supplies such as coffee powder or beans, tea, milk, as well as paper towels, kitchen roll, etc. Ask yourself where you store your beverage supplies: a place next to the refrigerator makes practical sense, but is less convincing from an aesthetic point of view. A cupboard or curtain can remedy this. The refrigerator should offer the team enough space to store the food they bring with them easily and hygienically. A freezer compartment can be particularly nice on hot summer days, for storing ice cream or ice cubes.
5. Do you receive guests?
If your office kitchen is also a place for entertaining clients and guests, you should pay particular attention to appearance and practicality. Provide a selection of small bottles of drinks, or stock up on pastries and fresh fruit. A warming drawer for coffee and espresso cups looks great, as does a stylish automatic coffee machine. Also make sure that the seating is comfortable but not too homely, and install easily accessible power sockets. Ensure internet connection and mobile reception.
6. Noise Volume
The office kitchen is a place of communication. As a result, it can be noisy, for example during a convivial meal or when many people are preparing food or hot drinks at the same time. So if you are planning an open kitchen – or a kitchen that is also intended for meetings – keep in mind that nearby workstations could be affected. In addition, an office kitchen that does not allow for cheerful exchanges is not much fun.
7. Efficient office kitchen interior design
An office kitchen is often crowded with people taking the same routes during peak times. Keep this in mind when planning and place cups right next to the coffee maker, plates, and bowls near the fridge.
The following requirements are also imposed on office kitchen interior design:
The kitchen set for the office should be designed such that its doors and drawers open easily and freely. Otherwise, the furniture front may become unusable and lose its marketable appearance.
Kitchen cabinets should have shelves and small compartments for household appliances (microwave oven, kettle, coffee maker, toaster). The set should have a sink, since washing dishes in the toilet is prohibited by sanitary standards. You should also take care of a powerful exhaust hood: otherwise, the smells of heated or cooked food will spread throughout the office.
In addition to the mandatory kitchen units (countertops, cabinets, apron, etc.), it is recommended to install additional elements:
- hooks for dishes (cups and bowls);
- kitchen rails;
- shock absorbers;
- sliding supports connected into a single system;
- awnings;
- loops;
- planks.
The presence of one or more parts increases the functionality of the kitchen set, making it more convenient to use.
Office kitchen interior design
The color scheme of the kitchen should not cause discomfort to employees. It is best to install a set of pastel shades. In some cases, the use of bright colors is allowed, but it is simplicity and moderation that will create a truly cozy atmosphere in the dining area.
Designers recommend avoiding decorative elements, patterns, ornaments, and moldings in the office kitchen. The furniture should be functional, comfortable, and strict, because it is located in the workplace, not in the home kitchen. In terms of kitchen decor style, it is worth choosing classics or minimalism. Furniture decorated in this way will be appropriate in any office interior.
The balcony kitchen design
If you rent an office with a balcony, then try to organize the kitchen in such a way that the balcony is integrated into this space. Firstly, the balcony automatically increases the class of your office and its attractiveness to employees. Secondly, if you think through the proper equipment and furniture of the balcony with an architect and designer, you can use it all year round. In the summer, the balcony becomes the most popular public space in the office: people come here to have lunch, drink coffee, and just relax.
Outdoor office kitchen designs
While a wide variety of outdoor activities bring with them their own sense of accomplishment and relaxation, there is one in particular that combines feelings of leisure, fulfillment, and community: an outdoor kitchen.
Let’s start with the simplest: If building plans don’t allow for an elaborate remodel or staff prefer more flexibility, modular kitchens and grills are a quick and inexpensive option for upgrading the layout of the outdoor dining area.
Equally seamless, but more elaborate, is extending the kitchen horizontally beyond the dividing line that separates indoor and outdoor spaces. Not only does this technique significantly increase the surface area and preparation areas, but it also offers a visual that maintains clear design lines.
Kitchen unit dimensions
For the kitchen to look stylish and modern, the set should not take up more than ⅕ of its area. This ratio is considered the most optimal for the normal functioning of the kitchen. However, before installing the furniture, the project must be agreed upon with the designer and the building engineer. The set should fit well into the existing interior: for this, the kitchen can be pre-designed in 3D programs. This will help determine its design features.
Kitchen set for mini-office
If the office has a small area, but requires the installation of a kitchen, the standard set should be replaced with a mini-furniture set. It is a compact set into which you can build in equipment, a mini-bar and storage systems. Such kitchens do not take up much space, but are highly functional.
In its simplest form, the mini-kitchen usually consists of a base cabinet with two doors, one of which often conceals a refrigerator. A sink and a two-burner hob are also part of the classic design. This type of pantry-style kitchen was 1.20 metres wide and 90 centimetres high as standard. They originated in the USA at the beginning of the 20th century, when living space in cities was massively reduced – and so were kitchens.
How to arrange office kitchen furniture
Following fire safety requirements and sanitary and epidemiological standards, the kitchen must have an exhaust hood and direct access to the water supply. Because of this, it should be located along the wall next to which the sewer and water pipes pass. At the same time, separate kitchen tables and furniture islands can be placed in the center of the kitchen or next to the window.
A significant obstacle to the arrangement of kitchen elements can be non-standard corners, projections, columns, niches, and other elements adjacent to the walls. They are especially common if the office is located in the building of a former factory, warehouse or medical institution. In this case, it is recommended to make a custom kitchen. The employees of the furniture manufacturing company will take all the necessary measurements and design a set taking into account the identified flaws of the room.
Communication brings offices to life
Whether it’s a small tea kitchen or a large office kitchen, investing in high-quality appliances and attractive kitchen furniture pays off on many levels. During breaks, over a cup of coffee or tea, the team gets together and exchanges ideas, whether on private or professional topics. And it is not uncommon for new ideas or interesting trains of thought to emerge here. These small moments of communication can be significant for the success of a company. Cooking together or small celebrations also bring the team together and are remembered for a long time. An attractive kitchen is therefore also an expression of appreciation and, in any case, guarantees good team spirit.