Top Low-Cost, High-Reward Amenities to Include in your Office Space

While an elaborate office building with a gym, cafe and outdoor space may seem like the best option to elevate your business, there are some smaller, budget-friendly changes that can make just as much difference. These more practical additions are authentic ways to look out for your team’s wellbeing and mood at work every day.

Most often, the smaller, personal changes come with the highest reward; increasing employee productivity and building employer trust. We have highlighted our top 8 low-cost, high-reward amenities, which you can use to transform your office and create a haven for talent.

Let’s jump right in.

1. High-Quality Coffee Machines

Boost productivity with barista-quality coffee available round the clock, giving employees an opportunity to socialise, stay on top of work and save time and money wasted on early morning coffee runs. Introducing coffee machines for your office creates a place for employees to catch up during their caffeine fix, whilst reducing burnout and increasing productivity. A good-quality machine can go a long way in keeping your employees on task, reducing the need to leave the office and providing a hub for fostering friendship. 

Studies have even found that coffee can positively impact focus in group settings, highlighting its ability to increase involvement in meetings and team projects. Similarly, introducing a partnering snack station, stocked with healthy, high-protein, low cost bites promotes employee wellness throughout the day, catering to those in need of an afternoon pick me up. 

2. Flexible Workstations

Investing in flexible workstations within the office space allows employees to relax, unwind and recharge in between meetings and projects. To keep costs down further, you could introduce used or like-new beanbags, standing tables, or comfortable office furniture – creating multiple styles of work areas to choose from. 

Where some prefer to work in silence in a quiet corner, others prefer the comfort of a beanbag in an open, free-flowing space. Offering a wider range of spaces can help with productivity and creative block for employees, in comparison to the traditional fixed desk and chair standard set-up.

3. Plants & Greenery

Whilst many employers strive to create bold, architecturally innovative offices, many overlook the simplicity of incorporating plants into the workplace. Plants are proven to improve concentration, reduce stress and increase creativity. They also bring a certain pizzazz and vibrant colour to the greys, blacks and whites of many standard office designs.

Strategically placing plants around the office is an easy way to ensure employees feel comfortable. But most importantly, they’re an inexpensive decor element and often require little maintenance, making them a perfect addition to your office space.

4. Wellness Area

If you're looking for high-reward in your office space, employee wellness should be a top priority. Incorporating low-cost wellness areas can be a major step in the right direction. Think of introducing a space with yoga mats and a hydration station to provide employees with a peaceful escape from work. 

Small additions such as providing healthy snacks and running casual wellness or fitness classes can help reduce the risk of illness, mentally and physically. For employers, unexpected absences due to burnout or health-related interruptions can risk upsetting consistency in the office, further highlighting the benefits of a wellness area at work. 

5. Creative Space

Equipping the office with a creative wall for freeflowing collaboration, creativity and progress tracking can inspire and motivate the group. With almost half of the office admitting to suffering from imposter syndrome in the workplace, recognition can go a long way in making someone feel more comfortable and deserving in their role. 

Encouraging employees to expand on ideas or leave a motivational message in the morning can push others to share thoughts and bring lighthearted fun to the workspace. Provide prompts, highlight birthdays and celebrate office wins as a low-cost way to raise team morale, building a sense of community and acknowledging individual and team achievements.

6. Soft Lighting

Simple environmental changes are often overlooked in terms of their impact on office productivity and morale. Lighting is a great example – and a considered design can go a long way to improving performance and office aesthetics. 

Whether your colleagues show up to a physical workplace every day, or your hybrid model means office days are few and far between, could you review and improve your lighting strategy? To manage energy and mood, try altering indoor lights to a softer, natural yellow hue. A warmer glow will avoid harsh and sterile conditions, while focused task lighting can ensure employees aren’t straining to focus on small documents.

7. Noise-Cancelling Headphones

You might not have the budget to provide everyone in the office with high-tech workspaces, LED keyboards and noise-cancelling headphones, but partnering with a headphone or personal tech provider could provide a greater incentive for employees to buy their own. 

Company discounts such as these strengthen ties, and ultimately will help contribute to a quiet and focused workspace alternative for those who find it difficult to concentrate with ambient office noise around them, as well as meetings with fewer sound-related interruptions.

8. Suggestion Box

Provide a space for employees to provide feedback, ideas and praise with an office suggestion box. On a budget, this is a great way to implement personal preferences in the workplace. 

Whether it’s something as simple as adding someone's favourite chocolate to the snack bar, or granting the freedom for employees to decorate their own personal office space, providing people with choice strengthens trust and evokes belonging. It’s also a great idea for the more shy or introverted members of your team who might not be comfortable making their suggestions in front of a group.

Investing In Your Office Space Doesn’t Have To Cost

Office perks don't have to cost an arm and a leg. Personal and meaningful gestures often have a larger impact, creating a warm and collaborative work environment that colleagues want to stick around in. 

Investing in your employees and their workspace builds trust and provides value, earning their best work in return. From installing coffee machines to decorating with plants and greenery, these affordable alterations can benefit morale, motivation and creativity – making them low-cost, high-reward additions to your office space.