As the professional landscape evolves, the demand for enticing office environments is rising, be it in a traditional office setup or a dynamic coworking space. Embracing the contemporary trend of designing workplaces that mimic the comfort of home, the focus has shifted towards creating amenity spaces that enhance the overall work experience.
In today's competitive work environment, employees seek amenities that go beyond the comforts of home. In this blog post, we delve into the key amenity spaces that employees are actively searching for in their workplaces. Our comprehensive research sheds light on the top needs of modern-day professionals, offering valuable insights into the amenities that are becoming indispensable in the quest for an ideal workspace. All of which you can use when designing spaces with The KITS Collaborator.
Wellness Amenities
Across all industries and the world in general, there is a renewed focus on mental health and wellness. People have new priorities in life and often that is ensuring that they aren’t putting themselves into situations that would cause undue stress. In office spaces, employers are recognizing this and working to make spaces where people can relax.
Some examples of wellness amenities might include:
- Casual sitting area with comfortable furniture such as loungers, couches, and non-traditional office furniture - Often sensory input is taken into mind with these spaces. The fabric on furniture is extra soft and blankets and rugs can be added to make things more calming.
- Napping area – Some offices have gone beyond the casual sitting area and created a space where workers could sleep or just rest a little deeper than usual. In these spaces, noise and light have to be more carefully considered to ensure respite can be found.
- Mediation area – Similar to the sitting area, setting aside a quiet space for meditation can be major beneficial. Many millennial and Gen Z workers use meditation as a stress tool and having a spot where they can go for 10-15 minutes and reset can be a major boon.
Storage in Shared Spaces
An indispensable amenity within any office setting is the provision of well-organized storage, addressing the practical needs of individuals, including the storage of coats, boots, and personal belongings for professionals commuting to the office. In the context of a shared or coworking space, the intricacies of storage requirements demand a more nuanced approach.
In a coworking environment, where individuals may frequent the space only a few days a week and may not be familiar with all fellow occupants, the importance of thoughtful storage solutions becomes paramount. To instill a sense of security and ease for workers, the implementation of diverse storage options has proven to be highly beneficial.
Consider the integration of spacious lockers designed to accommodate larger items such as jackets and boots, particularly crucial during inclement weather conditions. Offering the flexibility for individuals to secure these lockers with personal locks provides an added layer of reassurance, alleviating concerns that may arise among users of coworking spaces. Elevate the coworking experience by providing professional-grade storage solutions that prioritize both convenience and security for today's dynamic workforce.
Quiet and Tech-Free Zones
One of the main reasons why workers come into an office to work is to remove the distractions that they have at home and set up a space where they can focus clearly. However, that doesn’t mean that an office is devoid of distractions. An office can be a loud place with in-person conversations happening frequently, people taking calls, people moving about, or tech making noise for calls and music.
Setting aside an area that is dedicated to quiet-focused work can be very attractive to office workers. Make sure to create barriers for these spaces that can lessen noise from elsewhere and limit distraction. Consider making these spaces “Tech-free” to an extent. Yes, people may need their work computer but maybe have signage that asks for no cellphones or other devices that could inadvertently create noise and distract others in the area.
Social spaces
Many of today’s offices are already designed with social interaction in mind. Employers have always wanted their workers to work well together and want interactions to be easy. However, often that social space is the same as the kitchen or break room. Consider expanding upon a social area to offer some other activities that can add to some bonding.
You may want to consider:
- A TV area with comfortable seating. It can be bonding to watch current events or tune into industry news that you can all watch together. It can also be a place to play a game or two for some friendly competition.
- Adding some games – Foosball, air hockey, or even a small collection of board games. These quick activities can be a good break and can bond employees together. Just make sure to be aware of sound if investing in a noisy game.
Considering New Priorities with Amenity Spaces
You should now have a better idea of the amenity spaces that employees are looking for in their workspaces. The idea with these isn’t to fundamentally shift your space but to create smaller spaces for specific needs that can be an option for employees if they need them. Using The KITS collaborator, it can be easy to create these spaces with the right furniture options and layouts, you just need to work with your client and use your understanding of employee needs to design the perfect space.
Looking for more tips and tricks for the KITS collaborator? Check out some of our resources on becoming a top KITS user. Or check out our top-asked questions about The KITS collaborator.
