It seems like every new office or office refurbishment project these days must have a big glamorous business lounge. But how big does a business lounge need to be? And how much lounge is too much?
The size of a business lounge in an office typically depends on factors such as the total office size, the company's industry, employee count, and desired amenities. However, general industry guidelines and best practices can give you a starting point.
General Guidelines for Business Lounge Allocation
Percentage of Total Office Space:
For most offices, a business lounge is often allocated around 5% to 15% of the total office area. This range can vary based on the office’s overall layout and the importance of the lounge to company culture.
Square Footage per User:
For a comfortable business lounge, many guidelines recommend 15 to 25 square feet per person expected to use the lounge at peak times. For example, if a lounge is intended to accommodate 20 people, a space of about 300 to 500 square feet is reasonable.
Types of Spaces to Include:
Business lounges today often incorporate flexible seating, workstations, and café-style areas to support informal meetings and solo work. Lounge space with multi-functional, movable furniture allows the area to be adapted for various uses.
Amenity-Driven Adjustments:
If your business lounge will include additional amenities like coffee bars, entertainment, or presentation spaces, you may need to allocate extra square footage beyond the basic guidelines to accommodate these features comfortably.
Example Allocation for Common Office Sizes
5,000 sq. ft. office: Allocate 250 to 750 sq. ft. for the business lounge.
10,000 sq. ft. office: Allocate 500 to 1,500 sq. ft. for the business lounge.
20,000 sq. ft. office: Allocate 1,000 to 3,000 sq. ft. for the business lounge.
Summary
Allocating 5-15% of total office space for a business lounge is typical, but you should adjust based on specific needs and the level of usage expected. A well-sized lounge creates a comfortable area for both employees and visitors and can support a range of activities, from informal meetings to quiet work zones.
‘Is this based on real data?’ I hear you ask!
Yes, these guidelines are based on real data and best practices from workspace design research, as well as standards used by architects and designers when planning modern office spaces. These recommendations draw on industry averages from sources such as:
Workplace Strategy Reports: Industry bodies like the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) and CoreNet Global regularly publish data on office layouts, including common space allocations for amenities like business lounges, collaboration zones, and social spaces.
Architecture & Design Firms: Major firms like Gensler and HOK release annual workplace reports based on real data from office design projects. Their reports provide insight into average space allocations for different types of workspaces, including lounges, based on productivity goals, employee wellness, and workplace trends.
Benchmarking and Space Utilization Studies: Research by companies like JLL and CBRE highlights the percentages of office space dedicated to shared amenities, including business lounges, in line with evolving workplace trends, particularly the shift toward hybrid work environments.
These resources generally agree on the 5-15% allocation range for social or lounge spaces, though specific numbers may fluctuate based on project goals, budget, and industry. Overdo it and you could waste money on a space that remains underutilised.
If you need highly specific, data-driven benchmarks, consulting recent workplace strategy reports from one of these sources or commissioning a space utilization study from someone like me could provide deeper insights tailored to your office needs.
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