How To Set Up An Office Coffee Station

Five steps to setting up an office coffee station your employees will love

Creating a welcoming and efficient coffee station involves a few critical steps. Let’s explore these to ensure your office coffee station is not just functional but also a favourite spot among your employees.

1. Find the perfect location for the coffee station

Choosing the right location for your coffee station is crucial to its success and effectiveness. While communal areas like kitchens and breakrooms are ideal for fostering interaction, it’s essential to broaden the scope. Consider incorporating coffee stations into different office zones, including reception areas, communal spaces, and collaboration zones, productivity pods, waiting areas, designated quite corners and more. This strategic placement caters to diverse preferences and work habits, making it more inclusive and engaging for all staff members. Optimise visibility in these spaces to encourage usage by both employees and visitors, maintaining a balance between accessibility and avoiding potential distractions at workspaces.

Remember to consider the traffic flow within the office environment to avoid congestion, and also to ensure the convenience and accessibility for all staff members, thereby fostering an atmosphere of inclusivity and efficiency in the workplace. By exploring various office areas, you can tap into creative possibilities and enhance the overall atmosphere, meeting the unique needs of your workforce.

2. Choose a quality office coffee machine

When it comes to setting up an office coffee station, opting to lease a commercial coffee machine can bring a host of advantages for businesses. Benefits go from the flexibility of equipment options catering to the needs and size of different office spaces to included maintenance and repair packages and overall cost-effectiveness. Here are some of our top picks for office coffee machines:

We provide flexible 3 or 5-year lease options, across all of these machines. Offering not only reliability but also catering to the diverse tastes of a busy office environment, perfect for the modern office coffee station.

But read more in our complete guide on the best office coffee machines.

3. Drink variety: ensure all your workers’ favourite drinks are provided

An ideal drinks station is designed to cater to a wide array of preferences and tastes. This involves providing a comprehensive range of options, which includes various types of coffee such as espresso, Americano, cappuccino, latte, and more each crafted to suit different palates.
But the offerings shouldn’t stop at coffee.

Recognising that not everyone is a coffee enthusiast, a great station also includes various alternatives. From classic tea and coffee to rich, creamy hot chocolate, perfect for those who prefer a sweet, comforting drink. A selection of teas should always be available, ranging from classic black and green teas to herbal and fruit infusions, catering to tea lovers and perhaps those seeking a caffeine-free option.

The goal of such a diverse selection is to ensure that every individual, regardless of their drink preference, finds something that delights them. It’s not just about quenching thirst or getting a caffeine fix; it’s about creating a space where there is something for everyone.

4. Equip your office coffee station with all the essentials

A well-stocked coffee station is a functional coffee station. Your coffee station should be well-stocked at all times with different cups for various drinks, saucers, sugars, sweeteners, napkins, spoons, and a fridge stocked with various types of milk. If possible and on par with your sustainability initiatives, it is also an option to stock your break area with the appropriate – and reusable – takeaway cups and lids, ensuring the safety of anyone leaving the communal area or office with their hot beverage.

These essentials ensure a smooth and enjoyable coffee experience for everyone

The benefits of a modern office coffee station

Beyond functionality, a modern office coffee station offers an array of benefits that contribute to a positive work environment:

Boost morale

A well-curated coffee station, meticulously arranged and thoughtfully equipped, is more than just a source of caffeine; it’s proven to be a significant morale booster. This thoughtful amenity signifies a tangible investment in employee well-being, fostering an environment that leads to substantially increased levels of happiness and satisfaction within the workplace, thereby creating a more positive and productive atmosphere at work.

Increase productivity

A coffee station within the workplace, well-stocked with a variety of high-quality beverages, plays a pivotal role in increasing employee productivity. This office addition effectively reduces the time spent on lengthy off-site coffee runs, minimising workday disruptions and maintaining a continuous flow of productivity.

The presence of a coffee station directly impacts employee energy levels. Access to caffeine, a known stimulant, can enhance focus and concentration, leading to a more dynamic and efficient work environment. When employees have the luxury of quickly grabbing a cup of coffee, they are more likely to stay alert and energised throughout the day, translating into a higher calibre of work and a faster pace of task completion. They provide mental breaks that can refresh and refocus the mind, indirectly contributing to productivity by preventing burnout and fostering a more harmonious workplace.

Improved office culture

Providing a selection of quality hot drinks as a part of your office perks is more than just a small convenience; it’s a significant and effective strategy for cultivating a positive, inclusive, and welcoming workplace culture. This seemingly small gesture can enhance the overall office atmosphere, encouraging a sense of belonging and appreciation among the staff.

It can serve as a communal point where employees gather, share ideas, and unwind, thereby promoting better communication and collaboration. In this way, something as simple as a well-stocked tea and coffee station in the office can contribute to boosting morale, improving productivity, and fostering a more harmonious and engaged workplace environment.

Key considerations when setting up an office coffee station

Before embarking on the journey of establishing your coffee station, consider the following factors:

Coffee consumption

Gaining insight into the coffee and hot drink consumption habits in your office is vital. This understanding helps in choosing a coffee machine that not only meets the daily demand but also ensures everyone gets their preferred beverage without long wait times.

It’s important to consider not just the number of employees, but also their coffee drinking frequency and preferences. This will then help in selecting a machine with the right capacity and variety, ensuring that all tastes are catered to, and reducing the risk of overburdening the machine during peak times.

Office size

The size and layout of your office plays a significant role in determining the most suitable location for your coffee station. A well-placed coffee station should be easily accessible to all employees, ideally central to various work areas to minimise disruption.

It’s not just about fitting the coffee machine into a space; you also need to consider the surrounding area for queues and social interaction. A coffee station can become a social hub, so ensuring there’s enough room in the chosen space for this without interfering with the work environment is crucial for a positive office atmosphere.

Budget

Setting up a coffee station in the office is a balance between providing a valuable perk to employees and managing financial resources wisely. When budgeting, it’s important to look beyond the initial cost of the coffee machine and consider ongoing expenses such as maintenance, supplies, and potential upgrades.

The goal is to find a solution that offers quality drinks to boost morale and productivity, without placing strain on the company’s finances. This might involve comparing different machines, looking at lease options versus outright purchases, and considering the long-term savings of a more efficient, albeit initially more expensive, machine.