Top Amenities to Look for When Choosing Office Space (Because You Deserve the Best)
Choosing an office space
…is like finding the right pair of shoes. Sure, you could just get something that technically fits, but since you and your team are in it everyday, you want it to be really you! So, here’s a quick guide on some must-have (and maybe a little ridiculous) amenities that make any office space worth the rent
1. The Holy Grail: Blazing Fast Wi-Fi
This one’s obvious, but you’d be shocked how many places still think dial-up speeds are acceptable in 2024. When you’re choosing an office, imagine it like dating: you need a solid connection. And yes, we mean solid. If the Wi-Fi can’t handle your team’s thirty-tab browsing habits and impromptu Zoom calls with clients, it’s a no-go. Because buffering during a client presentation is like dropping the mic before you even start.
2. Free Coffee (a.k.a. The Elixir of Life)
Coffee is not just a perk; it’s the lifeblood of any thriving office. Ideally, there’s a coffee bar with all the fixings: artisanal brews, oat milk, matcha for the zen seekers, and that strange vanilla pumpkin mix that one coworker swears by. The question here is not if there’s coffee, but how good the coffee is. Otherwise, you’re going to have a lot of "coffee shop remote days."
3. On-Site Fitness Center (For All Those New Year’s Resolutions You Won’t Keep)
Ah, the office gym – the ultimate shrine to aspirations of health and productivity. Now, will anyone actually use it after January 10th? Questionable. But the option to work off that third donut or just stretch your legs between calls is always nice. Plus, who doesn’t love telling people their office has a fitness center? Just be prepared for it to become a storage room by March.
4. Nap Pods for “Thinking Time”
Gone are the days of sneaking a snooze in your car. The modern office has nap pods for that midday reset, especially if you have new parents. Yes, it’s for “enhanced productivity,” but let’s be real – it’s a great way to be more accessible to some workers. If you can get your hands on an office with nap pods, it’s a win. Or if they’re fresh out of nap pods, a few comfy couches in a dark room will do just fine.
5. Snacks That Aren’t Just Kale Chips
Some workplaces stock snacks that seem designed to make you feel bad. Don’t fall for it. Look for spaces with real food: granola bars, fresh fruit, popcorn, maybe even a sneaky mini-fridge with ice cream. Remember, a stocked snack cabinet means a happy, fueled-up team. And a team that doesn’t have to sprint to the nearest vending machine for sustenance is a team that sticks around.
6. Phone Booths (For All Your “Confidential” Chats)
These aren’t just cool throwbacks to old-school telecommunication. Phone booths are lifesavers in an open-plan office where you’re trying to ask your bank why they froze your card for buying a third-hand Herman Miller chair. Bonus points if the booth is soundproof and vaguely stylish. Triple points if it doesn’t smell like someone’s lunch from last week.
7. Pet-Friendly (Because Everyone Knows Dogs = Happiness)
While not all agree, the best offices understand that pets are just furry co-workers with lower standards. Not every space is pet-friendly, so ask before you bring the hound in, so your landlord has a heads up. Pet-friendly offices mean spontaneous moments of joy, stress relief, and endless ‘Who’s a good boy?!’ moments that keep the workday interesting. Just be warned: every Zoom call may feature at least one cameo from a drooling, tail-wagging employee.
8. Space For The Fancy Water Cooler or Refrigerator
Nothing says “we’ve made it” like an office with a water cooler that dispenses more than water. I’m talking cucumber-infused H2O, sparkling water options, and maybe a button that just serves “hydrate or die-drate” energy. If your new space can’t accommodate a hydration station, then a well-stocked frig should do, just remember it shouldn’t feel like a relic from 1995. Dehydrated employees are cranky employees – remember that.
9. A Chill-Out Lounge (For Your “Creative Breaks”)
Every office needs a space, away from their desks, where people can meet, decompress, brainstorm, or just sit in bean bags while pretending to answer emails. The lounge area doesn’t need much, but a few cozy chairs, can lead to creative meetings and great ideas. Bonus if there’s a ping pong table or a foosball game – or better yet, one of those random games no one actually knows how to play but insists on anyway.
10. Plants. Everywhere.
Offices with plants feel like they actually care about your well-being. A green wall, a few potted succulents, and maybe even a fern or two can turn a soulless space into a green oasis. Studies say plants improve productivity, but let’s be honest – they also just look nice and hide all the cable clutter. And nothing says "I’m a professional" like forgetting to water your office cactus for three months straight.
In Conclusion: Choose Wisely
When it comes down to it, the right office amenities aren’t just about productivity; they’re about making sure everyone can spend 40+ hours a week in a place that doesn’t suck. The best amenities – be they Wi-Fi, coffee, or a half-hearted fitness center – serve as little gestures of appreciation that go a long way. So pick a space that makes work feel a bit more like life and a little less like… well, work.
And if that space happens to come with a rooftop deck? Consider yourself the Beyoncé of office spaces.