A fully equipped office lounge area can be the place where great ideas and innovation are born. Create it with these tips.
Employees working in office lounge areas are more productive than those who work in offices without them. This is according to several research papers that have proven that a lounge area can indeed improve productivity. It is one of the main reasons why many modern offices keep these spaces.
As we all know, the brain and body function much better if they get a good rest. While at work, you may need to take short breaks to disrupt the mind and develop a new perspective. Note that, having an office lounge alone is not enough as it requires an appropriate office design to go with.
That means having the right furniture and installations that will give your office lounge the right ambiance. Other than being a good resting place within work, a lounge area can also be used for activities such as group meetings or a discussion area between departments working on a project.
Why people prefer office lounge areas
One of the main reasons why people prefer modern office lounge areas is because it offers a home’s comfort together with the office experience. This includes a fast internet connection, printer, coffee breaks, and the all-important water dispenser. According to a survey, conducted on companies, it was discovered that about 71% of employees across various industries work remotely.
Out of the same number, about 72% are not comfortable working from home due to common reasons like poor internet connectivity, noise, and poor furniture. However, a high number of the 72% did not choose an office setup to be their favorite place to work. Lounge areas top the list of the best place to work mainly because of the unique office design and furniture that eliminates the monotonous office setup.
According to another research that was conducted on employees between the age of 18 and 34, 34% prefer working from lounge areas. However, only about 25% of these employees have access to these important workspaces. That means the normal office setting that we know may not exist in the future.
Companies are evolving and productivity is more vital than what the office looks like. So if the office looks like a cool office lounge area but productivity is excellent, employers have no choice but to create a conducive environment.
May you be interested in The five elements you need to have a modern office lounge area
Reasons to focus on the common room
There are so many reasons why modern offices should consider having a common room with the main one being that it improves employees productivity. Nevertheless, a lounge area in an office has a lot to say about the reputation of a company. With the younger employees preferring working in these areas, common rooms have become one way to motivate and encourage employees.
With the right furniture and appliances like a coffee maker and even music systems, employees feel appreciated knowing that the best performance can be attained when the brain and body are well-rested and relaxed. According to many companies, an office area lounge is important because:
It helps employees unwind
As already stated, employees need to take breaks between work especially if it is the type of work that requires their full attention. A short time out and chatting with employees in the common room will always leave employees feeling refreshed and less stressed. A good laugh over coffee or a powerful chat with a colleague at the dispenser can go a long way to distract the employees allowing their brains to reboot.
It can improve your team's overall health
Working behind a desk for over 8 hours can have serious health effects. It is not safe for the eyes, back, and general physical health of any human being. By having a lounge within the office space, you give the employees a chance to rest their eyes and stretch their bodies. This is a good reason for you to ensure that you have the right furniture for your office lounge space. Always include snacks in the lounge as they have a way of stimulating happy conversations.
Encourages socialization
Socializing between employees is essential and goes a long way to build a team that is active, focused, and effective. However, the kind of communication between employees at work is not the same as when they are not at work. That is because, out of the office, they can communicate more freely and by having an office lounge space, you encourage your employees to be freer and understand each other better making it easy for them to coordinate.
Adds flexibility
Other than being an ideal place for employees to relax and catch up, cool office lounge areas can serve different purposes. This is especially for activities that involve groups like brainstorming sessions. There is no need to hold an internal meeting in the boardroom when it can be done in the common room where it is less tense.
Increases attractiveness
Studies show that 93% of workers in the tech industry were more inclined to remain at a business that created spaces such as lounge rooms or “recharge” rooms for their employees than those that do not. That is because it makes them more productive and focused on the job. A typical office setting tends to be boring and causes brain overload.
Choosing the right furniture for the lounge area
Although ergonomy does not need to have the same requirements as the office chair, office lounge area furniture should also be well thought and chosen carefully. Some items that can help you equip this space are:
A piece that integrates technology and comfort
Technology is the order of the day in any work area and that is why you may want to incorporate technology into your common room. For example, the lounge W/ axil venti seats are installed with sockets for charging and using electric appliances that are allowed in this space. That makes them a conducive working space for those who want a break from their office cubicle or employees who want to relax while using their phones.
A modern piece that can make the space look attractive and serve different purposes
Professional office furniture is the best if you are looking for something to decorate your common room. Good thing is, there are plenty of these pieces of furniture and some are designed to perform more than one task. The triangle ottoman venti is a good example of office lounge furniture that can act as a table when 3 or more are put together or as a stool if the pieces are separated.
A modern sofa that you can configure to fit different spaces and rearrange when you want to perform different activities
With creative furniture, you will always end up with an impressive office lounge area. The match corner sofa as you can see is a good example of creative furniture. Combined, they form a different kind of seat, perfect for holding meetings or discussions. When separated, they remain authentic and comfortable to enjoy some snacks.
A place to reflect the identity of your company
Any modern office should consider installing a common room especially if they are interested in employing the young generation. In the past, an office was never to be a place to cool off but as time changes the perception of an office has also evolved. Because setting up a lounge at your workplace can be an uphill task, you can rely on companies like Gebesa who have been providing cool office lounge areas for offices across the country.
