5 Benefits Of Having A Great Office Kitchen

Integrating a kitchen space into your office design may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you’re looking to refurbish or fit out a workspace. However, having an office kitchen can help reinforce those work-life balances and can become an addition that provides more than just a place to make a cup of tea. Having a quality kitchen in your workspace really can make all the difference. Here are some of the top benefits of including a kitchen in your next office fit out.

1. A Break From Screens

When was the last time you took a break from looking at a screen, albeit a computer or smartphone? The HSE’s official advice is that you should take breaks from looking at screens regularly. It’s suggested that short but frequent breaks are more beneficial than longer, infrequent breaks.

The 20-20-20 rule presents the idea that for every 20 minutes you spend looking at a screen, you should then spend 20 seconds looking at something that is 20 feet away to reduce strain on your eyes.

An office kitchen gives employees a chance to take time away from their desks and the more appealing that space is, the more likely they are to follow this guidance and ultimately protect themselves against screen-related health headaches or strain. Something as simple as getting a glass of water can give employees that all-important rest bite from screens.

2. Space To Relax

Much like having a break from screen time, it can be beneficial to dedicate a few moments during the day to relax at work. It can be easy to slip into bad habits and work long hours with little thought outside of the task you’re focusing on. Taking the time to rest every now and then can improve your productivity in the long run.

Research has shown that the most productive people are those that work for approximately 50 minutes and then take breaks up to 15-20 minutes long.

By taking the time to relax in a separate room or space, you allow yourself to explore other thoughts and you may even suddenly see new solutions to problems. Coming back into your workspace after some downtime may even help you see things from a fresh perspective. At McFeggan Brown we are experts at creating break-out spaces that are perfect for relaxing in while working seamlessly with kitchen spaces and appliances. Take a look at our case studies to see our stunning break-out designs.

3. Social space

A vital part of building a strong office culture within teams is achieved through socialising and strengthening professional relationships.

One huge benefit of having kitchen space is using it as the heart of your office. Here you can bond over a boiling kettle or some homemade treats. Having this safe space to chat casually and get to know your colleagues can reinforce the feeling of belonging within your company and help people feel valued.

4. Healthy Eating

This may be an obvious benefit, but having an office kitchen can help with eating and drinking well.

Having a place to store healthy snacks and lunches can discourage those trips to coffee shops and encourage more nutritious options. It’s also just as important to remember to stay hydrated! We can source the perfect appliances to encourage employees to drink plenty of water.

A dedicated section to eat and drink is also much more hygienic than eating lunch at your desk!

5. Multi-functional

If you’re unsure whether you will benefit from an office kitchen, think of it from a different point of view. Not only do you gain a space to eat, socialise and relax, but you also gain a space that is multi-functional and can meet other needs as they arise. For example, kitchen space can be a great place to hold an impromptu meeting if other meeting spaces are unavailable. They’re both clean and comfortable.

If you’re considering adding kitchen space to your office, we can help create options that work for your needs and budget. Get in touch with us today!

The Ultimate Guide To Moving Offices

If your business has outgrown its current premises and you need the additional space to work effectively, you may have considered moving offices – this can be a great way to achieve a more functional work space that encourages staff collaboration and communication.

Be aware! Office relocation is a major project that requires careful planning and consideration.

There are many independent factors to consider and several boxes to tick off, but don’t worry. Like all processes, office relocation can be broken down into a series of small, manageable tasks that will ensure your move goes as smoothly as possible.

So, here’s our ultimate relocation checklist to make sure nothing falls through the cracks.

Office Relocation Checklist

1. Identify your project team

Before planning an office relocation, you should decide which members of your team will be involved in the project and assign clear roles and responsibilities for the office move.

2. Engage your staff and key stakeholders

Ensure any changes directly affecting your staff are discussed with them as soon as possible (Information & Consultation of Employees Regulations, 2004).

And don’t forget to consult with relevant regulators, board members and employee unions on your plan to move offices.

3. Find a suitable office location

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to choosing a suitable office location, so it’s important to establish what your business needs and priorities are.
Some common location priorities are:

• Good public transportation links
• Local amenities
• Parking
• Access to major roadways
• Access to airports

You should always analyse your new office location and make sure that you understand its IT capabilities and facilities.

The most important facilities that your office will need are:

• Wifi
• Printing
• 24/7 access
• Remote access
• Meeting rooms
• Breakout space

4. Establish a relocation budget

We recommend that your business identifies all of the tasks that need to be completed for your office move, no matter how small they are. This will help you to determine the real financial impact of your relocation.

If you’re working with a reputable supplier they will provide full cost estimates for each project element as well as considering the less obvious moving costs:

• Building insurance
• Legal fees
• Office design and fit out costs
• Dilapidation costs on your existing property

Why not check out Hubble’s office budget calculator to get an estimate of how much you should be spending on your next office?

5. Address your telecommunications systems

Telecom offerings are constantly evolving so we recommend shopping around for the right phone system and service contract when moving offices.

Key questions to consider:

• Are you going to embrace new technology and cloud solutions?
• Have you established your required phone line capacity?
• Do you plan on switching providers?
• What are you going to do with your existing phone numbers?

6. Get organised

Moving offices can be a complicated experience but you can minimise the disruptions to your business by:

• Creating an inventory of all your assets and resources
• Carefully labelling all packed boxes

And if you’re choosing to downsize your office to a smaller space, you might also consider:

• Getting rid of your old, bulky office furniture in preparation for new streamlined pieces.
• Decluttering that all important stationary cupboard – only keep the items your business actually needs.

Complete these steps on our office moving checklist and you’ll successfully move offices without a hiccup.

A Successful Office Move

From boosting staff morale to reducing operating costs, moving offices can have a hugely positive impact on your business.

So, if you need a refresh to your current working space, get in touch with our team of office relocation experts today.

Our unique design will reflect and express your organisation’s brand and make all the right impressions, where they count the most.

Plus, we’ll handle all of the moving parts and keep things running on track. Not only that but we can help you to expertly design your new office and take care of office dilapidation requirements.