Want to create the perfect office space?
Great idea! With 58% of U.S. workers preferring to work remotely, making your office space work for your employees should be a top priority. But where do you start?
According to CBRE’s 2023 -2024 report, office amenities rank highest for improving the employee experience among 81% of workplace teams. And by office amenities, we mean those nice-to-have perks that add unique value to a typical workday.
If you want to attract and retain employees, going the extra mile to offer top workplace amenities is crucial.
Why Are Office Amenities Important?
The traditional office design was simply an area for task execution. But, with 93% of employees valuing their well-being at work just as much as their pay, you want to come up with creative ways to enhance employee well-being, convenience, and comfort. That’s where workplace amenities come in.
Including top workplace amenities in your office design helps lighten the office atmosphere, especially on those intense workdays. It also fosters a sense of community and belonging between workers, creating a supportive company culture. Thanks to office amenities, the days of employees slipping out of the office for a breather after intense stress build-up are over.
The Types of Workplace Amenities
The role of amenities is evolving as companies experiment with various types and employees suggest alternative options. In general, all office amenities boil down to a few main categories:
- Physical well-being amenities. This type focuses on enhancing employee health. It can include on-site fitness spaces or even seemingly simple things, such as investing in ergonomic furniture to improve posture.
- Mental health amenities. This category focuses on providing a space where employees can de-stress and recharge, away from the normal bustle of the office. Examples include wellness rooms, focus pods, or quiet spaces where people can meditate.
- Convenience amenities. These make office environments more enjoyable by catering to the diverse needs of employees. From offering childcare services to providing personal lockers for safe storage, convenience amenities are centered on employee feedback, ensuring they cater to personal and professional needs.
- Technology-enabled amenities. Besides standard office facilities like water and electricity, tech-based office amenities enable employees to work comfortably and with ease. Examples include fast internet speeds or smart rooms fitted with cutting-edge tech to improve efficiency.
8 Office Amenities To Offer Employees
Wondering about the top workplace amenities to improve employee experience? We’ve rounded up eight of the most sought-after office amenities to help you narrow down your choices.
Natural Lighting
Exposure to natural light boosts serotonin production, a hormone linked to happiness and well-being. It also reduces cortisol levels, a primary stress hormone, resulting in better sleep quality and improved overall physical health.
To help employees reap these benefits, create an outdoor space or rooftop garden where they can go to soak up natural sunlight. Adding a shatterproof plexiglass ceiling also lets in as much natural light as possible into a room.
Likewise, placing some desks near windows or a skylight improves focus and the overall mood. However, ensure this setup doesn’t cause screen glare as it can result in eye strain and potentially poor eyesight over time.
Wellness Rooms
One lesson we’ve learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and the Great Resignation is that employee wellness programs and mental health go hand in hand.
Create an inviting space where your employees can practice breathing techniques, meditation, or yoga right within the office. Soundproofing and incorporating calming light, alongside nature-inspired elements like plants, provides a more tranquil and secluded space.
Healthy Food Options
Healthy food — like everything else in the world — is becoming expensive. A recent study shows that the cost of food at home, including fruits and vegetables, went up 1.2% in 2024 compared to the previous year.
Find ways to provide healthy food options to your employees as they focus on getting their work done. An office cafeteria or snack bar is an excellent way to support your employees’ nutritional needs while helping them lead a healthy lifestyle.
Personal Storage Solutions
Create an organized work environment where everyone feels safe and can focus on thriving in their work. Personal storage solutions make it more convenient for employees to access their belongings. It also helps declutter and streamline workflows, which is necessary for creating a comfortable and positive work environment.
Pet-Friendly Areas
Pets evoke positive feelings and reduce stress in both their owners and the broader community. Implement a pet-friendly day where your employees can bring their furry friends to the office with them.
You can even hire a professional to care for the pets as your employees work. This shows you’re committed to satisfying their needs, further increasing job satisfaction and fostering a stronger sense of community in your organization.
Quiet Spaces
Different work tasks and styles demand different office environments. Some employees require pin-drop silence to concentrate and complete their tasks.
Creating quiet spaces or focus rooms can help them achieve this comfortably and boost their overall productivity levels. On top of that, a focused and personalized space, void of distractions, boosts morale and creativity.
Social Gathering Areas
Just as you need a peaceful environment for focused work, a social area for collaborative work is equally important. Employees love to socialize, innovate, and inspire.
Social gathering areas or collaborative workspaces facilitate open communication and encourage teamwork. Include an open space or a high-tech meeting room where a bunch of your employees can meet up to work together or just converse about life.
Comfortable and Supportive Furniture
Invest in employee health by providing comfortable and ergonomic furniture. Standing desks, foot rests, and comfortable seats are not just nice-to-have office facilities. They increase comfort while preventing health issues, such as chronic back pain, usually resulting from long hours of sitting.
Top Workplace Amenities at Industrious’ Offices
Quiet rooms. Collaborative spaces. Pet-friendly environments. Rooms with natural sunlight. A variety of wellness rooms. These are the coworking benefits available at any of Industrious’ 200+ locations.
As a leader in upscale workplace solutions, Industrious offers loads of customized spaces for coworking and on-demand meetings, along with private offices and suites, to keep companies agile and deliver better employee experiences. Check out our workspace solutions today to find the perfect office space for your employees.