School cafeterias represent a key opportunity to inspire school pride and a sense of community among students, and the design of the space can help foster this spirit. Students are subconsciously comparing the cafeteria to their favorite retail food chains when they’re dining, and too often the cafeteria comes up short. Consider adding to traditional picnic-style seating with options you might see at a restaurant—such as booths and café-style tables—to make the space more inviting. Additionally, this helps the cafeteria become more functional by supporting informal learning activities and giving students another place to gather and collaborate.