Office Kitchen Interior: Design & Layout
Offices hold meetings and close important deals, and business talks are often accompanied by coffee breaks and pleasant gatherings. So an office renovation rarely does without a kitchen — and it’s important to arrange it so it doesn’t disrupt the working atmosphere. A well-planned office kitchen interior combines functionality, simplicity and cosiness.
In this guide we look at where to place the kitchen, what rules to follow when arranging it, which materials, colours and lighting to choose, and what unit shape to pick. An office kitchen is not only a place for lunch but also a comfortable zone where the team can catch its breath.
Where to place the kitchen in an office
In a large office, the kitchen is placed away from conference halls and the director’s office so that smells and conversations don’t interfere with work. It’s convenient to arrange it near the restroom and smoking zones — that makes it easier to bring in the communications and organise ventilation.
The kitchen interior is best planned before the renovation begins. In functionality and colour it should be universal, since all employees use the kitchen. Planning the sink’s connection to the water supply and drainage is also worth doing in advance — more on that in the article on Office Sewerage: Design & Installation.
Basic rules of an office kitchen
The kitchen space shouldn’t be decorated in a cafe or restaurant style — the main task is simplicity and functionality. When arranging it, these rules are followed:
- compact, small units;
- practicality and high-quality materials;
- lots of free space;
- moisture-resistant wall cladding near the sink;
- simple furniture constructions;
- avoiding glossy surfaces;
- correctly chosen appliances;
- plain, laconic furniture.
This approach makes the kitchen convenient in daily use and easy to care for.
Colours, lighting and materials
A pastel palette is ideal for an office kitchen: such shades don’t cause discomfort but, on the contrary, promote relaxation. Furniture is best chosen simple and restrained, without excess decor and trinkets.
There can be plenty of light in the interior — large windows are preferable, and the lighting system must include local sources over the work and dining zones. On the smart choice of light, read the article on office lighting. As for materials, they should be high-quality and practical, and the surfaces near the sink moisture-resistant.
Appliances and unit layout
An office kitchen must have a sink, a hood and a fridge. If the budget allows, a compact bar, water filters or waste grinders are added, and in large offices — commercial boxes with drinks, chocolate and sandwiches. To place the appliances correctly, a stationary partition may be needed.
Planning the kitchen zone lets you use the space rationally, so this work is worth entrusting to experienced specialists. The unit shape is chosen to suit the room: for a spacious kitchen in a large office, a U-shaped unit works well, and an island kitchen or corner models are also possible. The unit size is chosen based on the number of employees — since an office canteen differs from a home kitchen in scale.
The kitchen as a comfortable zone with Partner Create
A well-planned kitchen is not only a functional room but also a comfortable break area where the team recovers between tasks. For it to fit the office organically, it is planned as early as the design stage, together with the engineering networks and the other rooms.
Partner Create provides a full range of services — from an interesting design project to delivery under general contracting. Examples of completed offices are in the office spaces portfolio.
Office kitchen interior in brief
- The kitchen is placed away from meeting rooms and the director’s office, closer to the restroom.
- The interior is planned before the renovation; it should be universal, simple and functional.
- Colours are pastel; furniture is plain and laconic, without excess decor or gloss.
- Lighting uses large windows plus mandatory local light sources.
- Appliances: a sink, hood and fridge are a must; a bar, filters and vending are budget extras.
- The unit shape (U-shaped, island, corner) and size are chosen by the number of employees.
Frequently Asked Questions
In a large office, the kitchen is placed away from conference halls and the director’s office so as not to interfere with work. It’s convenient to arrange it near the restroom and smoking zones — that makes it easier to bring in the communications and ventilation.
Furniture is chosen simple, plain and laconic, without excess decor, and glossy surfaces are best avoided. Materials should be high-quality and practical, and the wall cladding near the sink moisture-resistant.
The mandatory minimum is a sink, a hood and a fridge. If the budget allows, a compact bar, water filters or waste grinders are added, and in large offices — commercial boxes with drinks and snacks.
For a spacious room in a large office, a U-shaped unit works well, and an island kitchen or corner models are also possible. The unit size is chosen based on the number of employees.
Arrange your office kitchen with Partner Create
An office kitchen means functionality, cosiness and a place where the team recovers its energy. Partner Create will design and deliver the kitchen zone alongside the engineering networks and the overall office design, with responsibility for the result.
Explore our work in the portfolio, read useful materials on the blog, or get in touch to discuss your project. Call +38 050 388 24 49.
We also recommend How to Set Up a Staff Relaxation Room and Office Sewerage: Design & Installation — they will help with the break area and the engineering for the kitchen.