What Office Space Amenities Are Essential for the Workplace?

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for workplace amenities has driven big changes in the designs, layouts, and opportunities that are offered throughout office buildings. And for employers looking to rent commercial office buildings, it’s vital to take into account the must-have amenities that will provide a sense of employee wellbeing, promote a healthy work-life balance, and establish the company’s culture in a positive light.

The right amenities can transform not only everyday employee satisfaction in the work environment, but can propel the company toward greater employee productivity, higher retention rates, and even an increased bottom line for the business.

Employee needs have changed. It’s no longer enough for an office environment to provide traditional amenities such as clean desk spaces and a coffee pot. Now, plain, beige walls are being replaced with large windows and more natural light. The outdated treadmills have been superseded by large on-site gyms. And employees no longer want to park a half mile away from the office.

All of the options for office amenity trends can be overwhelming. Which ones are most important? How can you boost morale and provide an overall positive employee experience as you search for your next new office space rental?

Factors to Consider When Renting Office Space

While there are dozens of unique office amenities to consider, the ones you should prioritize really come down to your office culture, business model, and the available buildings in your community. As you look at the available commercial real estate options that might fit your specific needs, here are some categories to consider.

• Professionals move at a fast pace. More and more, workers are prioritizing a quick and easy commute (this includes parking options, too). In addition, employees value accessible dining and retail opportunities within close proximity to the office.
• Appropriate safety measures make employees feel comfortable in the workplace. Whether your staff works full-time in the office or you adhere to a hybrid work model, it’s important for office workers to feel safe in the office. Advanced safety measures also ensure that equipment stays protected.
• The workplace is no longer a building used only to accomplish work-oriented tasks. Now, people use the workplace as a sphere for exercise, relaxation spaces, and even for building a sense of community. More than ever, office spaces must support mental health and overall employee wellbeing.
• From reliable Wi-Fi to high-tech security systems, a building that offers the most updated technologies will help prevent frustration as employees go through the workday.

Top 10 Essential Office Space Amenities for Employee Morale

Without satisfied employees, no company can thrive. While every team has different needs, the right amenities for your office building can transform the way your employees work, maximize productivity, and create a company culture that propels your business forward toward higher levels of success.

No matter your work model, renting an office space with the most essential amenities makes a significant difference in every nearly aspect of the business.

Here are the top office amenities that create an engaging workplace where employees enjoy spending the work days.

1. Convenient parking
2. Gym or fitness center
3. On-site dining options
4. Large meeting rooms
5. Comfortable break rooms
6. Outdoor spaces
7. Natural light
8. High-tech security
9. Reliable Wi-Fi
10. Retail convenience

1. Convenient Parking

When looking at a potential office building for rent, be sure to consider the parking options in light of how many employees will be making the daily commute to your building. This is especially important in bigger cities where parking may be more limited.

If employees will be driving their own vehicles to the building, consider whether there’s an attached parking garage or a parking lot large enough to accommodate your staff (and visitors, if applicable). You may also want to consider what public transportation methods are available in the area. Offering spaces for parking bicycles may also be another significant perk depending on the transportation methods of your team members.

2. Gym or Fitness Center

On-site fitness centers are one of the top office building amenities, and for good reason. For employees who value the gym, having a fitness center on site is incredibly convenient. It streamlines their daily routine and allows them to experience the benefits of exercise without having to make an extra stop on the way to or from the office.

On top of providing convenience, there are many other benefits of on-site office fitness centers. Promoting physical health in the workplace has also been found to improve job satisfaction, lower absenteeism, increase productivity, promote employee retention, and cut healthcare costs.

3. On-Site Dining Options

On-site cafeterias, regular visits from food trucks, in-house coffee shops, and other healthy food options within the building help to streamline the workday, offer convenience, and promote overall employee satisfaction.

And more than just having food and beverages available for purchase, you may also consider providing employees with some free snack and coffee options, too. One post-pandemic survey found free snacks and coffee to be the number two amenity that contributes to success at work.

4. Large Meeting Rooms

Buildings with large conference rooms and flexible layouts are prized for their ability to host large events as well as accommodate different types of groups and projects.

Flexible layouts and the opportunity to host larger groups not only makes for a more versatile space, but also makes it easier for the company to change and grow over time.

5. Comfortable Break Rooms

Comfortable break rooms and common areas are a great way to improve employee morale by providing an opportunity to relax, recharge, and get the creative juices flowing before heading back to the desk. And as an added benefit, welcoming common areas also promote a sense of community and provide employees with a place to build relationships with coworkers.

These types of spaces often include different amenities such as ping-pong tables, gaming systems, board games, comfortable furniture, good coffee machines, and more.

6. Outdoor Spaces

Outdoor courtyards, walking trails, and workspaces are becoming increasingly valued when it comes to employee wellbeing. Green spaces on the office property give workers the opportunity to clear their heads and get some fresh air throughout the workday. The integration of nature into the workplace can boost creativity, increase employee morale, and lead to better overall health.

When considering rentable office space, think about the opportunities that the outdoor portion might provide for picnic tables, walking paths, outdoor meeting spaces, and even power connectivity and Wi-Fi for open air workstations.

7. Natural Light

In a similar vein, buildings that incorporate natural light have been known to help employees experience increased energy, better morale, and overall improved health and wellness. In fact, one research poll found that natural light and outdoor views ranked as the number one attribute for employees in the workplace.

While fluorescent bulbs can cause headaches, stress and anxiety among employees, good lighting and natural views offered by abundant windows can have a significant impact on the overall workplace culture.

8. High-Tech Security

Productivity improves when employees feel safe and comfortable. But in addition to employee safety, adequate security also ensures that workplace systems and tools are protected.

Measures such as surveillance systems, fire alarms and sprinklers, and visitor management methods promote a secure workplace.

9. Reliable Wi-Fi

Reliable, high-speed Wi-Fi is a non-negotiable when it comes to the top workplace amenities. In our digital age, the workday is often filled with conference calls and other online collaboration methods, not to mention the regular tasks throughout the day that require high-speed internet.

Before closing the deal on a rentable office space, be sure to thoroughly check in to the internet and Wi-Fi options that are available for the space.

10. Retail Convenience

In addition to on-site dining options, employees value office locations that allow for easy access to popular dining and retail spots. Office buildings that are located near banks, dry cleaners, grocery stores, or the post office allow employees to easily check their errands off their lists at the beginning or end of the work day.

Professionals are busy people, and the ability to accomplish errands without having to go significantly out of the way can be a major benefit.