Is your school in need of a staff lounge makeover? I remember that feeling! Back when I was the leader of the Sunshine Committee, I was charged with this task. If you're feeling overwhelmed or not sure where to start, don't fret - this is going to be fun! Come along to see how you can transform your staff lounge into a cozy and inviting space where everyone will want to hang out!
Our Staff Lounge - The Backstory
The staff lounge in my school was just downright depressing. The furniture was over 25 years old and traveled with us to the "new building" which was actually over 15 years old, if I'm not mistaken. Staff members stopped eating lunch in there years ago. They go in to make an occasional cup of coffee, purchase something from the vending machines, or utilize the fridge. But overall, it was a dark, uninspiring space that we all just walked by several times per day.
Sound familiar? I think this reality is a common one in schools across the United States, so you're certainly not alone! After all, funding is usually tight and we're often working in old buildings with limited resources. But, here's the thing friends... having a welcoming staff lounge is kind of a big deal. Wondering why?
The biggest, and most important reason, in my opinion, is that it builds morale and camaraderie. As the person in charge of our Sunshine Committee, I tried to inspire and motivate our staff and keep morale high, as our job as teachers is already stressful and all-encompassing enough. This is no easy task and one that I don't take lightly! So, I decided it was time for a staff lounge makeover. I approached our principal and she was all on board with this. It took a bit of trial and error to acquire the funds for new furniture and whatnot, but I have to say - it was worth the effort!
Getting Started with a Staff Lounge Makeover
So, once you acquire the funding, where to begin? If you're asking yourself this question - I've got your back! Step one, in our case, was the furniture. I knew that I just didn't want a room of new, industrial furniture, however. I wanted a room that was worthy of spending time in, a room that reminded us of our lives outside of the school, and a place where staff could take a break from the hectic pace of the day. This was the primary goal for the room actually, to make staff feel "at home" away from home.
So, before you embark on this adventure, I suggest doing the same. Consider what the goals for the room are, how it's lacking, and how it could function better. For example:
- What type of seating is needed?
- What makes the most sense for your school's break schedules to accommodate staff?
- Is painting the room an option?
- Are new bulletin boards needed?
- What about appliances like microwaves, coffee pots, and water coolers?
- How can you make the room feel more cozy?
- Are you going for a particular theme or vibe in the space?
Think about these questions and write out the answers as you begin mapping out this project. Then, as you compile your answers, consider the cost allocation for each need. This will obviously vary based on your budget, but taking the time to do this before you begin purchasing items will help ensure that you don't wind up with any surprises. You can adjust where and how you spend the money based on what seems most important to you.
An Example of Adjusting at My School
When I went through this process, our staff lounge was pretty much a blank canvas. There wasn't much of anything going on in that space! That meant I was going to need more money than just having the furniture expense covered. In our case, I decided to use some of our Sunshine Funds to add some finishing touches beyond what the administration covered. A little surplus of cash in the account made this possible, but soon I realized that I would need even a little more so I didn't run the account dry. I hit up our PTO president and she made a pitch for me to the PTO Board, who also decided to chip in $500. This was agreed upon by our PTO and appreciated by not only myself but the entire staff!
The moral of the story here is you don't know until you ask. If you're running low on funds for your project, I highly recommend doing the same! Whether it is the PTO or stores in your community, you never know where will find funds or donated items. I can say wholeheartedly that giving the staff lounge a makeover and refresh had such a positive impact on staff!
Preparing for the Project
As you can see, the icy gray-blue walls were basically a non-color. Not inspiring in the least! The entry to the room was just plain blah and there weren't even chairs in the space because no one came in to stay! There was also some light blue cabinetry that had to stay put without alteration. You'll see in the reveal how I made this work with our theme. On a positive note, there was ample space for some soft seating arrangements and major potential.
Bringing Your Vision to Life
After you've mapped out your plan, budgeted funds, and taken your before pictures, it's time for the fun part. Bringing the vision to life is the best part! In our space, functionality was at the top of my list. In our school, teams of teachers typically include five grade level teachers plus, at any time, there could be an intervention teacher and/or special education teacher joining the team for lunch, plus a few others. This was important for me to consider since I wanted whole teams to be able to meet here.
I decided I wanted tables that could accommodate at least 8 people so entire teams could be together, or even merge teams who overlap on lunch times. Also, I was going for a coffee shop/cafe vibe in the room. I wanted tables of various heights, upholstered furniture that would be durable for the long run, and flexible seating for various staff preferences. I highly recommend taking some time to think about how your vision will accommodate the staff. Sometimes, this is something that unfolds as you go, but having a plan always helps!
Where to Look for Materials, Decor, and Furniture
I spent a lot of time going to different places to find pieces and accessories for our project. I really wanted it to feel homey, so I shopped at home stores like IKEA, At Home, The Fabric Shack, Marshalls/TJ Maxx, Walmart, and a local bookstore. Online stores like Amazon have a lot of great options too. Here are some of the things I purchased for our staff lounge makeover:
Furniture
For our staff lounge, I chose two high-top rectangular tables that could fit eight adults each, two low round tables that could fit four adults, and a couch and club chair, coffee tables and end tables, a conversational area to warm up the room just perfect for a break, not necessarily just for eating. The chairs were all either royal blue or navy blue to tie in with the cabinetry.
The upholstered pieces were only available in gray or black from the company we used so I reluctantly went for the black since I figured it would hold up better over time than a light-colored option. The coffee tables I found were very reasonable from an online store called Seventh Avenue. I wanted low-profile tables that had a lot of glass so they did not visually take up a lot of room in the corner. Definitely peek around online because there are so many great options available now!
Accessories & Functional Pieces
Our Ruggable Rug was one of the online best purchases! If you've never heard of them, Ruggable makes a very interesting product. The rug is more like a fabric that gets put upon a pad. The rug passed our Fire Inspector and is even machine washable. I thought this would be perfect for maintaining the cleanliness of the room and any spills that may happen due to the nature of the space.
I purchased adorable salt and pepper shakers for each table with fun sayings on them, along with bright placemats for a pop of color. A new microwave was purchased and the old one was thrown out as it had seen better days. My favorite thing in the room was the absolutely adorable coffee station, loaded with coffee pods and teabags, cups, sweeteners, and a new Keurig Coffee Pot. This was a frequent stop for many staff members!
I added a cute tree branch coat rack so staff members who have duty after lunch can hang their coats out of the way while eating. I even put out some puzzle books like crosswords, sudoku, word searches, and jumbles, along with pens for those wanting to zone out for a few and truly take a break.
Cozy Touches
I added some throw pillows to camouflage the black upholstery and add some fun colorful touches. The cornice above the window to the hallway was built by my handy colleague, Darren, out of wood and I upholstered it using batting and a fabulous fabric that ties into the rug and pillow colors. If I were to do this project over again, I think I would also add some cute vinyl letters like these to complete the lounge vibe! The only thing you can't see in these pictures is the new paint on the walls, which was done afterward. I chose a buttery tan, and it really helped warm up the room!
Last, these "frames" were from IKEA. I bought three of them then stalked my colleagues on Facebook to get pictures of family and friends to clip up here. I added additional clips for staff members to add more pictures. A touch of our homes and our hearts! This was a total hit with staff and it was completely unexpected. You could also use photos of team-building events or fun quotes in a place like this too, if you're not able to get personal photos.
Unveiling the Results
Once your project is complete, find a way to make the big reveal fun and exciting for staff. You could invite everyone to stop by the new and improved staff lounge to grab a cold beverage from the fridge, or even set up some kind of snack bar to celebrate. Whatever you choose, make it fun! This is a big deal and should be celebrated with staff members!
The positive impact of our own staff lounge makeover was huge! Many more teachers and staff members began using the room to relax, eat, and convene. But most importantly, it helped to bring a little extra sunshine into the lives of my colleagues and friends. I'd call that a win-win!
If this is a project you're preparing to work on, I hope you got some great ideas from seeing what has been done in our building! My best advice is to remember to map things out, weigh the cost, and ensure that the functional needs of the room are being met. Combine that with some personal touches and you're on your way to creating an incredible space for your school staff!
Ready to Add Some More Staff Building Activities To Your School?
Once you've updated your staff lounge, it's time to focus on team building! Check out these posts to help you get started!
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