The Benefits of Office Canteens and Breakout Areas

• Office breakout areas, office canteens and workplace cafes foster collaboration, boost creativity, and promote healthy eating.
• Breakout spaces create a sense of togetherness, improving team spirit and motivation.
• Having dedicated areas for eating and socializing encourages proper breaks and enhances employee well-being.

In recent years, the way office space is used by employees has changed drastically. Open spaces and breakout areas are part of the agile design which encourages collaboration and problem solving. The way in which offices tend to be planned and designed has also changed, with the focus shifting towards creating areas that foster optimal productivity.

A carefully designed office space where employees can have access to soft seating areas, quiet spaces, iso-stations, breakout rooms, as well as different sized meeting rooms, is an office environment which allows staff to choose the best place for the job at hand. 

With numerous social and collaborative benefits, as well as encouraging healthier lifestyles, let’s find out why you should consider breakout areas such as workplace cafes and canteen spaces as part of your new office space.

6 benefits of office canteens, breakout areas and workplace cafes

Whether it’s a low-key area to make a cuppa, or a full-blown canteen with food service and tables, there are many reasons why an office breakout area or tea point can bring benefits that go beyond just serving food and drink. 

• Have the flexibility to be collaborative breakout spaces: Tea points and canteens are not just a space for a light bite – they are now playing a big part as collaborative breakout areas. Whether they’re being used for a five-minute sit down and catch up, or an area for a proper sit down or a working lunch, canteens and tea points are a central part of creating an atmosphere of togetherness and collaboration. 

• Can boost creativity and problem-solving: It’s no secret that sometimes your staff will get stuck in a rut with their work. Some time spent away from the desk in a different room that’s dedicated to relaxation and refreshment can give staff a whole new perspective, allowing them to go back to their desk in a better headspace. 

• Save your staff money: We can all relate – eating out every day costs money. Therefore a canteen or vending machine can make workers more inclined to eat in rather than spending money on pricey takeaway lunches. 

• Healthy eating: Echoing the previous point, takeout food not only breaks the bank but can also encourage unhealthy eating – after all, it’s all too easy to grab a burger or fizzy drink when you’re out, especially when you have no food prep area available to you at the office. So, giving your employees a place to prepare or buy food within the office can make healthy eating a more attainable goal. 

• Build community spirit: For many people, their colleagues are a big reason why they enjoy their job and workplace. Breakout areas give your employees a special place to connect, socialise and get to know each other better. This helps boost team spirit and can go on to improve motivation and collaboration during the working hours, too. 

• Encourage breaks: Some people elect to remain at their desks for their lunch break, whether that’s through force of habit or poor weather conditions outside. This lack of a proper break is an unhealthy choice, as it does not allow workers to refresh their mind and body. So, by having a dedicated area for eating and socialising, employees are encouraged to have a proper break and can get away from their screens for some refreshment, rest and recuperation. 

How do I create an office canteen or breakout zone?

If you’re set on treating your office to a canteen or breakout zone, you need to ensure it’s fit for purpose. Every workplace has different demands, different interior styles and different visions for what this space should look like and how it should operate. That’s why you need a company on board that can create a tailor-made space that’s literally made for you. 

Here at Arc Business Interiors, we’re experts at creating tailor-made interiors for offices throughout the UK. We consult closely with you to design and fit an office canteen that works for your space and your users – right down to the lighting used and all the way to incorporating personal touches, such as brand colours. To find out more about our bespoke design and fit-out services, just get in touch today.