Why should I invest in my canteen furniture?

Canteens are often an overlooked element to modern office life, but it’s important to highlight the importance of calmer, more inviting spaces for unwinding and recharging in such a quickly paced working world. Canteens are more than just dining spaces, they’re hubs for employee wellbeing, their productivity, social interaction, collaboration, and community… if designed well, and for that you’ll need the right furniture.

What elements do I need to consider before starting my refit?

The canteen is about more than just putting some tables and chairs in a room and sticking the word “CANTEEN” to the door. You want to create a welcoming environment that supports employee wellness. Remember, a workforce that feels nourished and well looked after (especially when it’s edible nourishment!) is a more productive and positive one. Investing in your canteen is an investment in them.

Consider:

How will people move through the space?

Try to avoid congestion around high-traffic appliances, like sinks, kettles, microwaves, and coffee machines to improve comfort and safety. At the end of the day, the space needs to be functional.

Keep accessibility in mind as it’s often overlooked. Spacing out furniture just a smidge can make an enormous difference to someone with mobility issues that may require a mobility aid.

Your canteen can be multifunctional; it could perhaps be used as a breakout space for a coffee and a chat or to hold a more informal meeting. Using the space in different ways means your investment in the space will be put to good use.

How much traffic will be moving through?

This question considers the size of your workforce, and their habits. Canteen furniture is used daily, so it must be durable, and to keep the space tidy and inviting, it must also be easy-to-clean between uses.

What kind of atmosphere do you want to create?

No two teams are the same, and no person is the same from one day to the next, so flexibility is key. Sometimes, the whole team will want to sit together, but sometimes you will have people in small groups. If you combine a selection of small round tables, for solo dining or quiet work time with longer or larger communal tables to encourage and allow space for group meals and socialising, you’re onto a winning design.

What are my options?

To accommodate the rooms multifunctionality and versatility, consider a mixture of Banquette seating, for comfort and casual interactions; High tables and barstools, for quick chats or coffee breaks; Long tables with benches, to encourage mingling; Small round tables, for flexibility and efficient use of space; and Modular furniture, for easily changing the layout and use of the space.

Folding and stackable chairs and tables are a very practical option. Usually lightweight and durable, this furniture is easy and quick to rearrange as and when needed. Plus, they are easy to store when not in use or a quick clean-up is needed.

What material should I go for?

Canteen furniture gets plenty of use, sometimes with multiple waves of people taking their lunch breaks at different times. Where food is involved, you want to choose something that can be easily cleaned and maintained so you’ll be able to keep the space looking tidy and inviting, even for those who take a later lunch.

Plastic and Metal– these are sleek, stain-resistant, scratch-proof materials, and easy-to-clean.

Wood– this adds warmth and a natural touch to the space.

Fabric– for chairs, fabric adds a layer of comfort, great for when the space is being used for activities other than eating, but more difficult to clean.

Other than finishes, consider that colour also impacts mood—neutral tones can feel calm and clean, while pops of colour energise and uplift, while adding greenery and incorporating natural light brings an element of the outside, in.