A survey conducted by Drive Research found that almost 3 in 4 Americans (73%) drink coffee every day.

This beloved beverage is incredibly popular, and for a lot of people, it's a crucial component of their workday. It gives them the boost they need to maintain concentration and efficiency so that they can do their jobs well. Providing an office coffee station is a great way to reward your employees and keep them motivated.

In this guide, we'll go over some key break room coffee ideas and approaches that will help you create the perfect office coffee setup.

Pick the Right Spot

Before you start looking at coffee machines, you should decide where you're going to keep one. The space you have available can impact which machines and supplies that are available to you. Many offices choose to keep the coffee machine in the break room, while others find a more centrally located space for easy access. Be sure you have a table or counter with ample space for cups or mugs, spoons, and all of the additional supplies your machine requires. Easy access to water is essential to keeping the coffee flowing.

Choose the Right Coffee Machine

There is a huge range of office coffee solutions out there, so take your time considering the options that are best for your team.

Drip Coffee Makers vs. Espresso Machines

This is one of the bigger decisions you need to make in this process. The main thing to consider here whether your staff prefers their coffee rich or quick. It takes time to brew a full-bodied espresso, but instant makers provide nicely flavored cups, quickly.

Drip coffee makers are known to be reliable and convenient. In busy workplaces, these can help ensure employees can quickly get their coffee fix without too much fuss. Espresso machines may not be so straightforward but are often preferred by people who prioritize flavor and quality.

Consider the preferences of your workers. Will they place more value on speed and convenience or the overall quality of their coffee?

Consider Office Size and Consumption

Another crucial factor that you need to consider is the size of the machine you need. There are three key elements you can look at here.

1. Compact, single-serve coffee machines can be perfect for small teams, and allow each person to choose their own flavor.
2. Bigger offices typically require larger coffee machines that can make several cups simultaneously to meet the demand
3. Knowing how much coffee your team drinks and when they're likely to want to brew cups will help you keep things efficient

Select Coffee Beans and Supplies

After settling on a machine, you then need to think about the coffee beans you want to get, along with any other supplies. It doesn't matter how good your coffee machine is, if you have low-quality beans, people will notice.

The main aspects to consider when choosing a bean are:

·        Taste

·        Roast level

·        Provenance

Types of Coffee Beans

There is a huge selection of coffee beans available, hailing from all over the world. Robusta has a vigorous nature and robust taste, while Arabica is more gentle with sugary hints. Of course, there are many others to choose from.

If you're a coffee connoisseur and you know your team well, you might already have some ideas about their preferences. If not, you can provide a variety of flavors to ensure everyone is satisfied.

Browse Ideal’s wide variety of coffee flavors for inspiration.

Essential Coffee Supplies

Now that you've chosen the machine and the coffee beans, you can   consider other coffee station essentials. There are some key items that you'll need, as well as various optional extras that can deliver a better experience.

Some key items you should get include:

·        A variety of milks. Soy, almond, oat, and coconut are some favorite dairy alternatives your staff will love

·        A selection of sugars, from low calorie to turbinado

·        Different types of syrups. Caramel, mint, and hazelnut are popular flavors sure to add a kick to every cup

·        Cups and mugs

·        Spoons or stir sticks

Having all of these items at the ready means your workers can make their own decisions about how they brew their coffee. While some can opt for a simple black coffee, others can create sweet, flavorful brews. Many coffee stations also supply a variety of teabags for non-coffee-drinkers, ensuring everyone feels seen and included.

Make sure you keep the area well organized. The more items you have, the more important this is, so a labeling system with designated areas can be ideal.

Eco-friendly Practices

Considering our personal environmental impact has never been more important. Following eco-friendly practices will present a good company image, and Design of the Workplace Report conducted a study showing that a start 93% of workers stated that they were happier at work when “green initiatives” were put into practice in their office.

Recyclable/compostable cups are a good start. You can also opt for reusable filters, and even consider choosing beans that are harvested through fair practices.

Creating a Comfortable Coffee Break Area

Now that you've settled on all the equipment, it's important to make sure your employees have somewhere comfortable to enjoy their coffee. While some workers may simply take it back to their desks, creating a welcoming break area should be your next focus.

Make sure there are comfortable seats and tables. Design a space that encourages interaction. Doing so will not only make the space more enjoyable, but it can help encourage stronger bonds among your team. Consider leaving a deck of cards, a chess board, or a daily trivia question for teams to consider and connect over.

Aesthetic enhancements can also be a good choice. Add some ambiance through artwork or upbeat music to boost morale and better present your company's character and ethos.

Your Office Coffee Station

An office coffee station can be a great addition to any workplace. It will serve to improve morale, productivity, and overall employment satisfaction amongst your team.

Ideal Pure Water provides coffee delivery services for businesses throughout the Omaha metropolitan area, Eastern Nebraska, and Western Iowa. We proudly partner with premium coffee brands such as Green Mountain, Seattle's Best, and Starbucks.

Contact us today to find out more and get your free quote.