Creating social spaces with your office fit-out

According to studies by Wellable Labs, “41% of workers said stress made them less productive, 33% said it made them less engaged, and 15% admitted to looking for a new job because of stress.”

With that in mind, it is in the best interest of employers to design office spaces that reduce stress, boost productivity and reduce attrition.

What is a social space in the office?

Until recently, office workers often settled for a cramped communal kitchen area, a round lunch table, or sofa corner as their hub of ‘downtime activity.’ With hybrid working and working from home increasingly common, this no longer cuts the mustard. Workers are used to their home comforts after two years or more of having an element of working outside the office. Providing attractive social spaces encourages collaboration and a space to for staff to share their thoughts freely. Stepping away from the desk and into a more informal setting can allow your team time to unwind, but also unleash creativity and build relationships.

Your social space can take several forms:

• A café or open-plan kitchen space – after all, the kitchen is the heart of the home, so why should the office be any different?
• A games room – competition doesn’t always have to be serious. Letting staff have a space away from the office boosts creativity and allows individuals and groups to let off a bit of steam in the process (image featuring the 'Diaceutics games room' is courtesy of Elyse Kennedy)
• An outdoor social space – being outside is proven to boost well-being and allows staff an opportunity to reset and unwind.

Incorporate a social space into your office fit out

A social space in an office is to some extent, expected – particularly in larger organisations. At the outset of a new office fit-out, keep this at the forefront of your plans. An office layout with rows of soulless desks and an afterthought social space won’t quite do it in 2023.

Your social space should be accessible from the main office space to encourage its usage, while at the same time offering refuge and some privacy. Consider modular areas, with partitions that can be moved depending on how the space is used.

Some might prefer to use their downtime to catch up with work away from the hustle and bustle of the office, so allowing peace and quiet is crucial. Booths or acoustic walls can facilitate this, while also doubling up as a safe refuge for staff needing to speak to management or make personal phone calls.

Other members of staff may want to use the space for more informal uses - to congregate around a tabletop game and let off some steam. Your space should be multi-purpose, flexible, and cater to all needs and personality types.

Consider an open-plan kitchen area where the team can congregate in the morning and talk about the day ahead over a healthy breakfast, or offer a mini bar to celebrate a job well done at the end of the week.

Aesthetics for an office social space

It is crucial to understand the psychology of your office and the knock-on effect of its design on your team. With much of the workforce splitting their time between the office and home, the aesthetic of your office fit-out should reflect that.

Office fit-outs are increasingly leaning toward home comforts – with cushions, sofas, lamps, and softer design fittings bridging that gap between home and office.

Biophilia remains as popular as ever when it comes to office social spaces. Designers find themselves continuing to be drawn to greenery, wooden features, and natural light. “Workers in environments with natural elements such as greenery and sunlight reported a 15% increase in their level of well-being.”

Colours are proven to increase mood – social spaces within the office present opportunities to brighten up your workers' day, while also engaging them in the company culture. That’s right! Social spaces are the perfect opportunity to embed your brand colours, subconsciously of course… This can be interwoven through your space in various forms – from the colour of the walls right through to the textiles, fabrics, and curtains.

By making the office feel less like a chore, businesses are finding increased staff morale, reduced absenteeism, and higher productivity.

To take the first steps in designing a timeless social space for your office, get in touch with us today.