N
The Global Insight

What should a break room have?

Author

Christopher Davis

Updated on February 19, 2026

Some of the most important elements of having a productive break room are healthy food and drinks, a television and a library. Additionally, comfortable furniture, workout equipment, and a positive, inclusive culture can also help create a productive break room.

What are breakroom supplies?

Most breakrooms also include the necessary paper products, like filters, stirrers and straws. Many workplace breakrooms also offer some variety of water, sodas, teas, juices or energy drinks, as well as pick-me-up snacks, such as crackers, chips or granola bars.

How can you contribute to a clean break room?

Ten Tips for a Clean and Organized Break Room

  1. Properly label food and containers.
  2. Avoid sponges – Use brushes or disposable towels.
  3. Have an ice scoop (and use it)!
  4. Prepare an emergency kit.
  5. Always have dish soap, hand soap available and disinfectant counter cleaner on hand.
  6. Place a box of baking soda in the fridge.

What an Office kitchen needs?

6 office kitchen supplies every office needs

  • Coffee machine. An office coffee machine may seem like an unnecessary investment, but the benefits to company culture and employee morale far outweigh the initial monetary cost.
  • Cutlery, crockery and glasses.
  • Fresh corporate flowers.
  • Fresh fruit.
  • Office milk.
  • Condiments.

How do you make a break room nicer?

Here are 10 ways to complete a break room remodel on a budget.

  1. Quality over quantity. The furniture is where you will want to spend the bulk of your break room budget.
  2. A fully stocked kitchen.
  3. Free coffee.
  4. Get decorating.
  5. Encourage relaxation.
  6. Create a nap space.
  7. Allow personal touches.
  8. Mix things up.

How do you relax a break room?

Employee Break Room Ideas

  1. Provide Caffeine and Snacks. No break room is complete without a coffee machine.
  2. Offer a Space for Conversations.
  3. Create a Relaxing Atmosphere.
  4. Close Off the Space from the Office.
  5. Offer Some Activities.
  6. Make it Large Enough for Parties.
  7. Personalize the Space.
  8. Encourage Actual Breaks.

How do I keep my staff room clean?

Ways office managers can encourage employees to keep the workplace clean and healthy

  1. Stock cleaning supplies.
  2. Distribute responsibility.
  3. Schedule cleanup days.
  4. Tie cleanliness to safety.
  5. Discourage eating at desks.
  6. Draft a kitchen cleaning rota.
  7. Electronics organiser.
  8. Strategically place baking soda pots.

How do I get my staff to keep my kitchen clean?

To keep your office kitchen cleaner, make sure you have a large supply of new and clean dishrags, so a fresh one can be used each day. Every week (or on a schedule that works for you), wash and sanitize all dishrags and towels so your workers will always have a clean cloth to work with.

How do you make a stock office kitchen?

Some easy healthy snack options to stock the office kitchen are:

  1. Nuts: especially walnuts, almonds, cashews, pecans, brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, and peanuts.
  2. Fruit: especially blueberries, apples, bananas, strawberries, and oranges.
  3. Low-fat cheeses.
  4. Veggies and hummus.

What should I buy for an office pantry?

15 Items You Need to Have in Your Office Pantry

  • Honey. Honey is one of those items that has magical properties.
  • Salt. Salt is one of those items that is used in a million different ways.
  • Sugar. Every office needs sugar for coffee.
  • Peanut butter.
  • Canned tuna.
  • Olive oil.
  • Rice.
  • Canned beans.

What does a staff room need?

Staff amenities & rest rooms

  • basic food preparation facilities.
  • canteens or staffrooms.
  • facilities to prepare or obtain hot and cold drinks.
  • restrooms.
  • simple but suitable seating area(s).

How do you decorate a small break room?

10 ways to remodel your break room on a budget

  1. Quality over quantity. The furniture is where you will want to spend the bulk of your break room budget.
  2. A fully stocked kitchen.
  3. Free coffee.
  4. Get decorating.
  5. Encourage relaxation.
  6. Create a nap space.
  7. Allow personal touches.
  8. Mix things up.

How do you make a good break room?

How do you tell an employee to clean up after themselves?

Give employees constructive feedback on what needs to be done, such as taking out trash, removing old food from the shared refrigerator or washing and putting away dishes after use. If workers know leaving a messy trail could cost them a raise or promotion, they may be motivated to make cleaning more of a priority.

How do you keep your employees clean?

Encouraging Employees to Help Keep the Office Clean

  1. Schedule Cleanup Days. Conlan recommends setting aside 2 days a year for deep cleaning personal spaces and common areas—for example, year-end and over the summer.
  2. Tie Cleanliness to Safety.
  3. Keep Cleaning Supplies Handy.
  4. Distribute Responsibility.
  5. Name and Shame.

What are healthy snacks?

Tips for Healthy Snacking

  • Fresh fruits and vegetables.
  • Frozen fruit.
  • Fruits canned in water or their own juice.
  • Whole grain bread, crackers and cereals.
  • Lower fat yogurt.
  • Lower fat cheese.
  • Unsalted nuts and seeds and their butters.
  • Hummus.

How much do companies spend on snacks?

Each month, companies are spending an average of $14,813 per month on office snacks and beverages, with 33% of companies willing to spend more.

Why is a pantry called a pantry?

The word “pantry” comes from the Old French word “paneterie” meaning from “pain”, the French word for bread. In medieval times food and supplies were stored in specific rooms: meats were stored in a larder, alcohol stored in the buttery and bread was stored in the pantry.

What are pantry supplies?

Common Pantry Staples:

  • Boxes of pasta.
  • Tomato sauce.
  • Canned soups.
  • Rice.
  • Cereal & Oatmeal.
  • Chicken Broth.
  • Mixed nuts.
  • Dried fruit.

Is it legal to work in a room with no windows?

There’s no law saying you must have windows, but they have to ensure that you have adequate light levels and a supply of fresh air.