10 Invigorating Office Coffee Station Ideas
Even though #workfromhome culture has spread over the past five years, there are still plenty of people working in the office. However, leaving your house to go to work doesn’t mean you need to leave behind the comforts of home.
You might not be able to show up to work in your pajamas or put on an episode of Friends while you crunch some numbers, but you can still enjoy a killer cup of coffee and the feel of a cozy environment. Read on for our top 10 ideas to turn your work coffee station into a true home away from home.
Why Should You Have an Office Coffee Station?
Many offices have a small coffee station stocked with coffee pods and styrofoam cups — isn’t that all you need? As it turns out, there are huge benefits to installing a slightly more curated coffee station.
These include the following:
- Productivity Skyrockets: Good caffeine equals focus, and focus equals results.
- Boosts Morale: Who doesn't smile over a fresh cup of joe and a little snack?
- Encourages Collaboration: The coffee station doubles as a casual meeting spot to encourage a friendly office culture.
- Saves Time: If you have good coffee waiting for you at work, you’ll be less likely to make a detour for coffee on the way in.
- Saves Money: With a winning coffee bar, you can skip reimbursing endless coffee runs.
10 Office Coffee Station Ideas
So, what’s our secret to the best office coffee station that will save money and boost productivity? Read on for some inspiration.
1. Provide Whole Beans
Freshly ground coffee is a serious game-changer. If you really want to impress your employees, stock your coffee station with whole bean coffee — it tastes and smells better than regular coffee, which makes it a real treat for coffee lovers.
Include a grinder so employees can enjoy the satisfying process of grinding their beans for a fresh cup. You can also offer a variety of beans like medium, dark, and specialty roasts to suit different tastes.
2. Add a Chair or Two
Turn your coffee station into a mini lounge by adding comfy chairs. This will encourage your employees to take a real break, relax, and recharge while they sip on their coffee.
Choose compact furniture to fit small spaces or consider stools for a sleek, modern vibe. Pair the seating with a small table for setting down mugs or laptops so your employees can work from their coffee nook. This won’t just help your employees feel more comfortable — it’ll turn your coffee station into a social hub in the office!
3. Offer Functional Coffee
Show your employees you value their health by giving them a selection of functional coffee. Functional coffee contains ingredients that can have powerful health benefits. People may not be great at multitasking, but functional coffee sure is! As a bonus, you can provide a sign that lists all the benefits of the coffee so your employees can feel healthier with each sip.
If you’re not sure where to start, might we suggest our Mushroom Coffee+? This functional coffee is jam-packed with only five ingredients: collagen to support gut health, lion’s mane mushroom to support focus, L-theanine to encourage relaxation, chaga mushroom to support immunity, and coffee extract to help you feel motivated and provide a rich coffee flavor.
We could probably add more ingredients, but why would we do that? We’ve searched far and wide, and after countless test batches and formulas, we’ve found that this simple combination of five ingredients is all we need to feel ready to take on the day.
We don’t skimp on quality, either — our mushrooms are double-extracted fruiting bodies, our collagen is sourced from grass-fed bovine, and our coffee extract is made using our proprietary methods to keep the caffeine content down. Say “goodbye” to coffee jitters and “hello” to productivity!
4. Provide Extra Flavors
Give your team the power to personalize their brews with some extra flavor add-ins. Stock your station with syrups like caramel, hazelnut, and vanilla, along with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Don’t forget non-traditional options like cocoa powder or flavored creamers!
For an extra touch, offer seasonal flavors like pumpkin spice in the fall or peppermint in the winter. This will help keep your coffee station exciting and your employees powered up and ready to go!
5. Add Some Plants
Bring life to your coffee station with greenery. Plants not only improve air quality but can also improve mental health and workplace satisfaction. Opt for low-maintenance plants like pothos or snake plants if you’re short on time or sunlight.
Or, if you have plenty of sunlight (or grow lights), consider a small herb garden with mint or basil — the tea drinkers among you will love the option to add some fresh herbs to their brews. Use decorative pots that match your station’s aesthetic for a look that screams “coffee shop.”
6. Elevate Your Reading Material
Upgrade your coffee station with a mini-library or a rotating selection of magazines. Include books about culture, travel, or productivity tips to cater to a wide range of interests. Don’t forget to throw a few popular fiction titles in there, as well!
You can also add a few quirky books to spark conversations or keep things light hearted — think joke books or niche biographies. Having some reading material can help your team enjoy their coffee breaks and also give them something to discuss with each other.
7. Provide Daily Brain Teasers
Keep your team excited for each morning by introducing daily brain teasers! Display word problems, crossword puzzles, or trivia questions on a board near your coffee cart where everyone can see.
Your employees will love having a problem to work on together (or maybe in competition with each other). Plus, working on the puzzles can provide an invigorating brain break from a busy day. To up the ante, offer small rewards, like a candy jar or bragging rights, for solving the day’s challenge.
8. Add a Personalized Mug Display
Embrace the individuality of your team with a personalized mug wall. Install hooks or cubbies where employees can store their favorite mugs from home. They’ll love the opportunity to proudly display their mugs, as well as the comforting feeling of sipping from a familiar mug. As a bonus, having a personalized space can actually boost mental health!
A personalized mug display also reduces waste from disposable cups. It’s a fun way to build community while keeping the coffee station organized and eco-friendly.
9. Rotate International Coffees
Take your team on a global coffee tour by featuring beans from different countries. Highlight a new region each month, such as Ethiopian, Colombian, or Sumatran coffees.
Include information about the coffee’s origin, flavor profile, and brewing recommendations with each coffee — you could even display a coffee trivia question based on the week’s brew. This rotating selection can help your coffee station feel interesting throughout the quarter and educate employees about different coffee cultures.
10. Add a Collaborative White Board
Encourage creativity and communication with a collaborative whiteboard near the coffee station. Use it for team shoutouts, daily doodles, unofficial games of tic-tac-toe, or brainstorming sessions. Include markers in multiple colors to keep things vibrant and personalized, and don’t forget to use some fun magnets to inject some personality into the coffee corner.
The whiteboard can also double as a space for sharing announcements or fun quotes. This interactive element will turn your coffee station into a hub for both relaxation and collaboration.
What Should Be in Your Office Coffee Station?
Building an office coffee station might seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, the whole point of a coffee station is to reduce stress — so why stress out over it?
Here’s a list of what to include in your station:
- Creamers and Milk: Include classic options like half-and-half, heavy cream, and milk. Don’t forget non-dairy favorites like oat, almond, and soy milk for teammates following a plant-based diet.
- Coffee Options: Offer regular, decaf, and a bold dark roast. Specialty blends like French vanilla or hazelnut are a great touch if you can swing it.
- Cold Brew and Hot Chocolate: A cold brew dispenser keeps things cool, while hot cocoa is a comforting coffee alternative for anyone avoiding caffeine.
- Tea Selection: Black, green, herbal, and matcha teas are all great options for anyone who hasn’t acquired a taste for coffee.
- Sweeteners: Stock up on sugar, stevia, honey, and flavored syrups like caramel and vanilla.
- Equipment: A drip coffee maker, single-serve pod machine, and espresso machine will cover all your brewing needs.
- Snacks: Add granola bars, pastries, biscotti, or fruit for the ultimate coffee break pairing.
The Bottom Line
An office coffee station might not be the reason your employees show up to work every day, but it’s almost guaranteed to help them feel more relaxed and productive while they get their jobs done. You can boost your coffee station by adding comfy seating, books, daily brain teasers, and collaborative whiteboards.
Another great way you can show your team you care is by making sure the coffee you serve them actually supports their health (both mentally and physically). Our low-caf mushroom coffee is specifically formulated to support focus and productivity — why not give your team all the help you can? Visit the Everyday Dose blog today for more coffee tips and tricks.
Sources:
Proof That Positive Work Cultures Are More Productive | HBR
Effects of indoor plants on office workers: a field study in multiple Dutch organizations | PMC
We Drastically Underestimate the Importance of Brain Breaks | Edutopia
