Prioritizing craftmanship and a high attention to the smallest details concerning construction, design and the creature comforts of an amenity space matter and can pay off in big ways. Rock-solid coordination between the design team, construction and consultant groups will ultimately save time, money and ensure a seamless, collaborative process with the best possible project outcome. With respect to the space itself, there is a balancing act between details that are beautifully-designed, but also highly functional and intuitive for whoever is using the space. From thoughtfully concealed yet accessible outlets, to millwork that hides trash, things that are used frequently are can be designed in a way that subtly brings them to the forefront to maximize efficiency while remaining aesthetically pleasing.

Amenity spaces are typically some of the most high-traffic areas in a workplace, which means a lot of wear and tear over time—Materials and finishes need to be durable, easily cleanable and designed with longevity as part of their aesthetic. These materials can also serve as a reflection of a company’s unique character, and high-quality design can help amplify a brand’s visual identity.

Lighting quality can set the tone and energy of an entire space, and has a tremendous impact on employee well-being, productivity and overall experience. Integrating as much natural light as possible not only achieves an open, inviting feel, but can help improve cognition and satisfaction for employees. Consider the temperature of lighting to reflect the mood of how a space is being used, and integrating functional lighting that supports activity based working styles.

Designing an intentional experience for employees and visitors that provides a particular mood and atmosphere is yet another way to express a unique brand identity and values. Programing environmental stimuli such as temperature, music or aroma into an amenity space can enhance the overall experience.

The growing pressure to recruit and retain the best and brightest among the talent pool has led many companies to boast amenity spaces with bells and whistles that don’t ultimately serve the needs of their employees long term. Thorough workplace planning and strategy can uncover information to help determine what spaces are actually needed, not just wanted. Deploying surveys, for example, can mine rich data that helps inform what design solutions are the best fit for how the space is used. Observations and planning ahead provide foresight into a space’s potential and importance. A meeting space may not be used often, for example, but perhaps this space is where a company’s most innovative ideas are born. Understanding who uses a space and for what purpose can help to define a hierarchy of where to invest. Ensuring the most important spaces are accessible, centrally located and outfitted with appropriate audio and visual privacy can have lasting benefits on workflow and productivity.

In some ways as designers we’re asked to predict the future, as we’re often working on spaces that will not be inhabited for a year or more. While we can’t know exactly where technology and cultural attitudes will land, we can use flexibility as a hedge against the unknown. One of the biggest ways to achieve a high return on your amenity space investment is to design with flexibility in mind. A lounge space is no longer simply a place to chat with a colleague or sit with a quick cup of coffee—these social spaces are designed to meet different programmatic needs and have an elevated level of functionality and agility to accommodate different group sizes and provide different social atmospheres.

Company-wide meetings are increasingly taking place in high-visibility social spaces, and massive conference room settings are showing a decreasing real estate value. Adding nooks within a large open space supports the need for socialization, meetings or a place to make a quiet phone call. Providing a variety of furniture pieces such as high top tables, lounge seating or booths that can be easily moved can make a space transformable for a variety of use-cases. User-friendly technology, accessible power within a space, ample storage and furniture with capabilities to plug in remotely creates a greater user experience for a variety of needs. Ultimately, flexibility in the built environment offers greater employee choice, and choice leads to empowered decisions on the ways in which employees can do their best work.