Office Amenities for a Modern Workplace

Gone are the days when your office space required minimum investment with the most luxurious amenity on offer being a kettle and a water cooler. Now that the younger generation has enjoyed a glimpse into some of the UK’s best co-working spaces, they’ve realised that there can be more to offices than desks, chairs and a photocopier. Beer on tap? Healthy snacks? Somewhere to chill out and relax? All the perks that co-working spaces offer as part of their USP are office amenities that many workers now expect.

46% of office workers want to see better amenities being provided in the next three years. If they don’t show up, there are plenty of other companies out there raising their game when it comes to office amenities and as a result, have a well below average staff turnover rate.

What’s the meaning of ‘office amenities’? The term refers to anything above and beyond the minimum requirement of a desk, chair and office equipment. It can be any addition that enhances the office space for those who work there.

Office amenities shouldn’t be viewed as an unnecessary expense. Few people would choose to spend their working day in a drafty office that looks like somewhere David Brent might hang out, when there are plenty of modern, spacious offices touting for talent, boasting luxurious touches such as chill-out rooms, quirky decor, plants and cafes serving great food.

Good office amenities impress clients too – invite them to an office space that feels well-appointed, luxurious and comfortable, and they’ll trust your brand all the more because of it.

If providing office amenities feels overwhelming or too time-consuming, one of the simplest solutions is to use a concierge office service. This lets you incorporate a range of desirable amenities into your package, allowing you to create a workspace that people enjoy without the hassle of maintenance or additional administrative burden.

Well-being amenities

Well-being has become a key focus both in and outside the workplace, and any employer who overlooks it may be missing out on a valuable investment. Prioritising employee well-being can boost productivity, improve morale, reduce sick days, and even encourage staff to return to the office—if that’s one of your goals.

At One Avenue, we have dog-friendly workplaces, on-site gyms, treatment rooms and bike storage. These are seen as high-value perks by staff and are well used and appreciated by all who work in our buildings. We also have beautifully landscaped outdoor areas where staff can socialise during or after work.

Well-being amenities should be designed to appeal to your workforce. Underinvesting in these initiatives can be a wasted opportunity, as they are unlikely to have a meaningful impact. It’s important to move beyond typical offerings like free snacks and instead focus on more comprehensive strategies that address the specific health and well-being needs of employees.

White goods retailer AO has set the bar high with offices featuring spas, a swimming pool and free staff food. Sumo Digital, a video games producer, offers free yoga classes and gives staff extra time off for learning activities.

Before you put anything in place, ask staff members what well-being perks they’d like to see. Suggestions could include initiatives such as outdoor meetings, team outings and cycle-to-work schemes.

Plants

In addition to brightening up a space with colour and character, plants are proven to reduce stress, soften the harshness of office environments dominated by hard surfaces, and improve air quality. However, introducing plants requires a commitment to their care. Designate someone to tend to them, as wilting or neglected plants are worse than no plants.

Office design layout

The more comfortable and pleasing to the eye your office space is, the more engaged and productive the workforce will be. Think about introducing as much natural daylight as possible – it’s known to boost mood and triggers the release of serotonin, a feel-good hormone produced by the brain.

Make sure the workspace is designed well and feels cohesive. Good artwork is always appreciated by staff as is greenery and good lighting. Room temperature and air quality are also important as is access to a window.

When it comes to layout, try to carve out areas for different activities, for example, you could have a breakout space that encourages collaboration or socialising. It’s also an idea to offer places where staff can take calls or work with little interruption when needed. With hybrid working increasingly popular, it’s important that your teams can speak to those working remotely, without interrupting others. Privacy booths are a cost-effective way of introducing space where staff can work or take calls without disturbing colleagues.

Local amenities

What’s outside and nearby is often as important to workers as office amenities. Proximity to bars, shops and green spaces makes a workplace look more attractive to talent. The London Report 2022 discovered that three-quarters of London workers feel that having amenities nearby is more important than it was before the 2020 pandemic.

Food and drink

Food and drink offerings are an attractive amenity for organisations trying to lure staff back into the office. Some have installed cafes offering subsidised meals to staff, alongside the provision of healthy snacks and beverages.

Most workers expect their offices to have a kitchen area where they can store food, heat it in a microwave and make beverages. There should be a sink, dishwasher, microwave, kettle and possibly even a toaster. Or you can install a coffee machine and hot water dispenser – an overused kettle won’t last long in a busy work kitchen!

That’s the least you should provide because on busy work days, team members might not have the time to leave the office to buy lunch and it’s easier to take time out, eat and relax when you can prepare food on site.

Want to go all out? Beer on tap and free healthy snacks have proved a real draw for companies like WeWork. You could also consider team breakfasts or afternoon tea meetups

Games rooms

A games room is a great way of encouraging team-building and socialising in the workplace. Big brands like AirBnB and Meta understand that encouraging staff to relax and play games together can make a workplace more stimulating, productive, and sociable.

Google understands the appeal and advantages of games for younger workers too. Their employees in Toronto can play mini golf on the roof of their office building whereas those in Moscow, have the choice of table tennis and table football. Those in Mountain View have a volleyball court and workers in Ontario have a climbing wall.

In Singapore, Food Panda’s HQ features tables that can be used for work purposes and double up as mahjong tables. And You & Me Ping Pong manufactures a well-designed meeting room table that converts to a table tennis table.

Hot desking

Hot desking is prevalent now that a large percentage of the workforce split their time between a physical office space and working remotely. Allow your staff to book space in advance so they don’t find themselves with nowhere to park.

People naturally like to personalise their workspace, so if you can allocate desks to staff members and allow them to display their own photos, artwork and plants, it will make them feel more relaxed and at home in the office.

Multi-use areas

It makes both economic and practical sense to create areas within the office that have multiple uses, for example, a kitchen area might be incorporated into a break-out space, and a cafe area might be kitted out with AV equipment so that it can be used for informal presentations and staff meetings.

When you create multi-use spaces, pay attention to seating, access to power and other technology, lighting and decoration.

One of the stand-out features of Google offices is their large areas of casual seating – space that looks like it belongs in a home. These sections can be used for work or socialising and Google understands that some of the best ideas come when you’re relaxing and engaged in non-work activities. It’s also no surprise to learn that Google has an exceptionally low turnover rate.

Fun…

A survey by Microsoft in conjunction with author Steven Johnson, found that 70% of employees feel more productive and energised when they are allowed time to ‘play’ at work.

Adding playful elements to your workspace lifts mood creates a talking point and makes you a sought-after employer. In Google’s Switzerland office, you can access the cafeteria using a slide and in Zurich, they have a designated relaxing room where you can lie back in a recliner and be soothed by tropical fish tanks.

In America, insurance company Funeral Directors Life, organises lip-synching contests, Nerf basketball tournaments and hula hoop competitions. At One Avenue, several of our buildings feature a games room where staff can flex their competitive muscles.

Conclusion

Any organisation aiming to reduce turnover and attract top talent should consider offering a range of irresistible office amenities. To learn more about our offerings— from game rooms to gyms and beauty treatment areas—reach out to one of our concierge service experts today.