Café Culture at work: the work/latte balance

The way we work has changed dramatically in recent years, but one thing remains constant: our love for coffee. More than just a caffeine fix, coffee plays a central role in workplace culture, fostering collaboration, boosting productivity, and creating social moments that bring teams together. As offices evolve to compete with the comforts of home and the appeal of hospitality spaces, great coffee – and the environment it’s served in – has never been more important.

How much coffee do Brits drink in a day?

Well, it’s enough to keep you awake at night: in fact according to the British Coffee Association, we drink 98 million cups of coffee a day. That’s a lot of washing up.

We’re a nation fuelled by coffee. Coffee and dogs, that’s our thing. Research from The Independent found that 65% of coffee was drunk at home, 25% at work or while studying, and the rest in shops, bars, and restaurants. However, remote and hybrid working now means people now expect their workplace to match the quality of their favourite coffee shop – if not surpass it. Workspaces are shifting towards a hospitality-inspired experience, blending comfort, service, and aesthetics to make coming into the office genuinely enticing.

Coffee and Collaboration

It’s not just about the caffeine – it’s about the culture.

Many of our workspace designs centre around social tea and coffee points, often styled with a laid-back, boutique café aesthetic. Why? Because people are craving more than just a desk – they want a workspace that offers something beyond home comforts and rivals the best hospitality venues. Providing high-quality coffee in a beautifully designed setting encourages people to gather, chat, and build connections.

There was a time when smokers were considered the best-connected people in an organisation – stepping outside for a cigarette meant informal conversations that built relationships beyond hierarchy or department. Now, the power of networking has shifted to the coffee drinkers. Those regular trips to the coffee machine aren’t just about getting a caffeine fix; they create moments of spontaneous interaction that strengthen workplace culture. These casual encounters have a big impact, fostering collaboration, breaking down silos, and contributing to more engaged and productive teams.

In fact, tea points have become the modern-day watercooler, with studies showing that well-designed communal spaces can boost organisational productivity by up to 10%.

Yes, this coffee is making me more efficient actually

Does caffeine really help you stay focused and concentrate better? In short: yes. There’s a chemical called adenosine that builds up in the brain and induces feelings of sleepiness. As caffeine is a stimulant, it blocks the effect of adenosine and helps you feel more alert – and do better work.

And it’s not just a performance boost; a survey by Staples found that coffee makes 82% of workers feel happier.

For businesses, providing great coffee is a small perk with a big impact. But those that go a step further – creating a relaxed, hospitality-inspired environment where people can meet, bond, and recharge – will find their team sticking around, rather than grabbing their coffee to go.

Want to find out more about how you can create a relaxed and welcoming office environment? Why not get in touch with us.