More and more companies are allocating a space for dining room and kitchen, where your employees can heat food, have a coffee or meet for a celebration. Studies indicate that having this type of space prevents workers from dispersing and having to leave the office at “coffee time” or needing two hours to eat the menu of the day at a nearby restaurant. On the company side, it is clear that there is a related benefit between productivity and absenteeism, if the worker does not have basic services within the facilities. But it is also very advantageous for the workers: it means a significant savings bring food from home, in addition to being able to eat healthier foods. Getting up from work to go get water, have a coffee or a soft drink in the kitchen, is an act that is as necessary as it is healthy, without the need to excessively interrupt the work rhythm with a prolonged absence outside the office. And finally, for both parties, this moment of meeting around the kitchen is vital, since the bosses can interact with their teams and a more personal connection between workers.

kitchen equipment

The office kitchens They do not have a distribution or equipment the same as that of a domestic kitchen. It is a space used by many people at the same time, where the figure of the "head chef" does not exist, who brings order and concert. Therefore, it should be the most functional possible. The ideal configuration is the one shown in this image above: a kitchen front equipped with one or two microwave ovens or convection (preferably always two), a refrigerator large, dishwasher y sink area. It is not necessary to place gas or electric plates, since it is about heating the food, not cooking it on site, to avoid splashes, smoke and annoying odors. Also, there must be a storage area for crockery and glassware, which must be solid and simple, and above all, easy to replace in case of breakage. And of course, don't miss the kettle. Finally, a pantry to have the essential basic foods (sugar, salt, oil, etc.). 

The most appropriate furniture

In new office layouts, the kitchen is often in a annexed area, but differentiated from the rest by means of a piece of furniture that delimits the two environments. Could be a bar with stools around, or also a sequence of high tables that configure the zone. As in the case of this dining area, where three tables have been used ECHO High, placed in a zigzag pattern, to give the space greater versatility and for users to move around comfortably. The ECO series alternate desk models with high tables, so that aesthetic harmony can be created throughout the environment, even though they fulfill different functions. The caps are of chipboard particle board 25 mm and the metallic lacquered steel structure in a variety of tones. The ECO height High is 1 meter, but the widths can vary (1400, 1600, 1800 or 2000 mm). You can also choose between various fondos (500, 680, 800 and 1000mm). This great variety offers tens of possibilities of use, whether in a contract, training, residential or retail environment.

Office kitchens with bar

Una Island of cooking Traditional is also an excellent solution to delimit and create extra storage space, to eat and also to work. The treatment of the islands has to be consistent with the rest of the interior design, either in harmony or in opposition, as is the case with this blue laminate island y wood countertop, that contrasts with the metallic gray furniture. We found the way they have devised to further delimit this area, through ceramic tiles that imitate the drawing of hydraulic tiles, and that contrasts with the ceramic slats that reproduce a wooden parquet placed in herringbone. It is important that the materials chosen for the coatings and surfaces be extremely hard and highly resistant. Office kitchens wear out much more intensely than domestic kitchens.

Full integration within the office

The integration of kitchens in the field of offices has to occur in a natural and organic As an example, these offices of a financial entity, which brings together in a large space several social zones. El kitchen area it is attached to one of the walls and delimited by a high oval-shaped bar. Opposite, the dining area, with large tables, which are also used to work or have small informal meetings. And in the background, the auditorium or assembly area, for conferences, workshops, etc., somewhat more separated, but next to the kitchen and dining room, to provide service in the event of events with consumption. All this, with wooden paneling, white sintered coatings and gray touches, which unify the three environments.

home kitchens

Despite the fact that kitchens in offices cannot (and should not) be the same as domestic ones, their general appearance can contain that home Point, that makes this space the pole of attraction of the house, where family gatherings begin and end. Getting a domestic look in a kitchen is easy: just bet on natural materials such as wood, exposed storage systems (which always offer a closer look) and a distribution that bring people together around an element. It is no coincidence that the kitchen in the image is one of the AirB&B offices, whose philosophy focuses on making you always feel at home, even if you are traveling in a strange and distant place.

Industrial air for "millennials"

Even the simplest and most casual office can have its own more. It is not necessary to have a big budget, there are recycling solutions that can give an excellent result. And if not, look what a flirtatious little kitchen the boys in this startups Londoner with demolition material and tiles left over from the bathrooms. Of course, the budget was allocated to acquire good appliances, like the fridge side by side, with large capacity and water and ice dispenser, two microwave ovens and a good kettle. All the furniture was made with leftover materials.

Photos: OfficeSnapShots