How To Create A Relaxing Office Break Room?

by Nathaniel Pan June 16, 2024

by Nathaniel Pan Published on June 16, 2024Updated on June 16, 2024

Creating a Relaxing Break Room

In order to create a relaxing break room in the office, there are certain elements that can be incorporated to promote a calming and rejuvenating environment. Additionally, having a well-equipped break room offers several benefits for both employees and the overall workplace.

Elements of a Relaxing Break Room

To establish a relaxing break room, consider incorporating the following elements:

Comfortable Furniture: Provide employees with cozy and comfortable seating options, such as plush chairs or sofas. Consider incorporating soft cushions, ergonomic designs, and ample space to spread out.
Soft Lighting: Opt for soft, warm lighting with energy-saving bulbs to create a soothing atmosphere. Avoid harsh fluorescent lighting, which can be harsh and disruptive to relaxation.
Entertainment Options: Incorporate entertainment options like a television, music player, or reading materials. These options can help employees unwind and take their minds off work during their breaks.
Refreshments and Snacks: Stock the break room with kitchen-type appliances like a refrigerator, coffee maker, and microwave. Provide a variety of food and drink options, including coffee, tea, and healthy snacks. This ensures that employees have access to nourishing refreshments during their breaks.

Benefits of a Well-Equipped Break Room

A well-equipped break room offers numerous benefits for employees and the workplace as a whole:

Improved Morale and Engagement: Providing a relaxing break room gives employees the opportunity to temporarily disengage from their daily tasks, relax, and recharge. This leads to improved morale and higher levels of engagement, as employees can return to their work feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Increased Productivity: Break rooms contribute to increased productivity by allowing employees to take regular breaks and recharge their energy levels. Taking breaks has been shown to enhance focus, concentration, and overall job performance.
Enhanced Social Connections: Break rooms provide a space for employees to socialize and build better work relationships. Casual conversations and interactions during breaks foster workplace cohesion, leading to increased job satisfaction and loyalty among employees.

By creating a relaxing break room and ensuring it is well-equipped, employers can promote employee well-being, boost morale, and foster a positive work environment. Incorporating comfort, entertainment, and refreshments can contribute to a more relaxed and rejuvenating atmosphere, ultimately benefiting both employees and the organization as a whole.

Designing a Relaxing Break Room

A well-designed break room can serve as a sanctuary for employees, providing them a space to relax, recharge, and rejuvenate. When creating a relaxing break room, consider incorporating comfortable furniture, adding entertainment options, and providing refreshments and snacks.

Incorporating Comfortable Furniture

Comfortable furniture is essential for creating a welcoming and relaxing break room environment. Provide a variety of seating options, such as plush sofas, cozy armchairs, and ergonomic chairs, to accommodate different preferences and needs. Consider incorporating cushions and pillows for added comfort.

To ensure proper posture and support, choose furniture with ergonomic features. Ergonomic chairs can help alleviate back pain and promote better posture, while adjustable tables or desks allow employees to find the most comfortable working positions. A table or counter with stools can also provide a space for quick bites or casual conversations.

Adding Entertainment Options

Entertainment options in the break room can help employees unwind and clear their minds during downtime. Consider incorporating amenities such as television sets, books, board games, or a pool table. These options encourage relaxation and can foster camaraderie among employees, as they engage in friendly competition or enjoy shared entertainment.

Additionally, consider incorporating music into the break room to create a relaxing ambiance. Streaming music services or a dedicated sound system can provide soothing background noise and help fill any awkward silence. Choose music genres that align with the company culture and create a pleasant atmosphere [5].

Providing Refreshments and Snacks

A well-stocked refreshments station is a key component of a relaxing break room. Offer a variety of snacks, beverages, and coffee/tea options to cater to different dietary needs and preferences. Consider including healthy options like fresh fruits, granola bars, and nuts, alongside indulgent treats.

Providing amenities such as a single-serve coffee maker, refrigerator, and microwave can create a homely and welcoming environment. Employees can enjoy a hot cup of coffee or tea, store their meals, and heat up leftovers, adding to the convenience and comfort of the break room.

To promote social connections and a sense of community, consider having a designated area for employees to enjoy their refreshments together. This can encourage interactions and foster a positive work environment.

By incorporating comfortable furniture, entertainment options, and a well-stocked refreshments station, you can create a relaxing break room that promotes employee well-being and helps them recharge during their downtime. Remember to regularly update and maintain the break room to ensure it remains an inviting and enjoyable space for everyone.

Biophilic Design in Break Rooms

Incorporating elements of biophilic design in break rooms can create a soothing and rejuvenating environment for employees. Biophilic design is centered around the idea of bringing nature indoors and utilizing natural elements to enhance well-being and productivity. Here are some key considerations when incorporating biophilic design in break rooms.

Incorporating Natural Elements

To create a biophilic break room, it's important to incorporate natural elements that evoke a sense of nature and tranquility. Here are some ways to do so:

Natural Light: Natural light plays a crucial role in enhancing well-being. Incorporate large windows, skylights, and light curtain fabrics to allow ample natural light to flow into the break room [6]. Strategically placed mirrors can help reflect and spread the natural light throughout the space.
Indoor Plants: Indoor plants bring life and a connection to nature within the break room. Choose plants like Charcoal Choobs, Kentia palm, Bird's Nest Fern, Money Tree, Chinese Elm, and flowering Lilies that thrive indoors and provide a pathway to natural views outside the windows. Ensure proper care and maintenance of the plants to keep them healthy and vibrant.
Natural Materials: Incorporate sustainably sourced, organic materials such as wood, stone, and handmade natural fabrics. These materials add a touch of nature and create a connection with the environment, enhancing the biophilic design philosophy. Consider using wooden furniture, stone accents, and natural fabric upholstery to bring a sense of warmth and authenticity to the break room.
Natural Colors: Choose a color palette inspired by nature. Deep charcoal grey, natural wood tones, greenery, faded sky blue, and sunset orange can be combined to create a soothing and uplifting atmosphere in the break room. These colors align with the principles of biophilic design and contribute to a calming environment.

Utilizing Biophilic Design Principles

In addition to incorporating natural elements, applying biophilic design principles can further enhance the break room's overall atmosphere and well-being. Here are a few principles to consider:

Views of Nature: If possible, position the break room in a location that offers views of the outdoors. Employees can benefit from glimpses of nature, whether it's a garden, a park, or even just trees outside the window. These views help create a connection to the natural world and provide visual respite during breaks.
Water Features: The sound of flowing water can have a calming effect. Consider incorporating a small indoor fountain or a tabletop water feature in the break room. The sound and sight of water can contribute to a more relaxing and serene environment.
Green Spaces: If space permits, create a small green space within the break room. This could be a living wall, a vertical garden, or even potted plants strategically placed throughout the room. Greenery has been shown to reduce stress and enhance well-being, making it an excellent addition to a biophilic break room.
Seamless Technology Integration: While biophilic design focuses on natural elements, technology can still play a role in creating a modern and efficient break room. Utilize smart home systems that regulate natural light, incorporate apps for indoor plant care, and explore other advancements that seamlessly blend technology with biophilic design elements [6]. This integration can enhance the functionality and convenience of the break room while maintaining its connection to nature.

By incorporating natural elements and following biophilic design principles, break rooms can become inviting spaces that promote relaxation, rejuvenation, and a stronger connection to nature. Such an environment can contribute to improved employee well-being, mental clarity, and productivity.

Enhancing Employee Well-Being

Creating a relaxing break room goes beyond providing a space for employees to take a break. It's essential to consider how the break room can enhance employee well-being and contribute to their overall satisfaction and productivity. Two key aspects to focus on are promoting relaxation and rejuvenation, as well as fostering social connections.

Promoting Relaxation and Rejuvenation

A break room should be designed with relaxation and rejuvenation in mind. By incorporating elements that help employees unwind and recharge, you can create a space that supports their mental well-being. Some ideas to promote relaxation include:

Comfortable seating: Provide comfortable chairs or sofas where employees can sit back and relax during their break. Consider ergonomic designs that offer proper support to help reduce stress on the body.
Quiet zones: Designate areas within the break room as quiet zones, where employees can find a peaceful atmosphere to read, meditate, or simply enjoy some quiet time away from the noise of the office.
Soft lighting: Choose lighting fixtures that emit warm and calming light. Avoid harsh fluorescent lighting, as it can create a stressful environment. Incorporate natural light whenever possible, as it has been shown to positively impact mood and well-being.

Fostering Social Connections

The break room also serves as a space for employees to connect and build relationships with their colleagues. Fostering social connections in the break room can contribute to a positive work environment and boost employee morale. Consider the following ideas:

Ample seating: Provide enough seating options, such as tables and chairs, to encourage employees to gather and socialize during their breaks. A mix of larger communal tables and smaller seating arrangements can accommodate different group sizes and preferences.
Activity areas: Incorporate games or activities that encourage interaction and camaraderie. Pool tables, air hockey, board games, or even a small library can serve as conversation starters and create a sense of community among employees.
Break room events: Organize occasional events or themed activities in the break room to promote team bonding and create a sense of excitement. These events can range from potluck lunches to trivia competitions, fostering a positive and inclusive atmosphere.

By prioritizing the promotion of relaxation and rejuvenation, as well as fostering social connections, in the break room design, you can contribute to the overall well-being of your employees. Remember that a well-designed break room can lead to improved morale, engagement, and productivity in the workplace.

Productivity in Break Room Design

A well-designed break room not only promotes relaxation and rejuvenation but also contributes to productivity in the workplace. By incorporating ergonomic workspaces and allowing for customization of personal workstations, employers can create a break room that enhances both comfort and productivity.

Ergonomic Workspaces

Designing ergonomic workspaces is vital for productivity and employee well-being. Ergonomics is the science of creating the workplace to fit the worker rather than forcing the worker to fit the workspace. It's not just about adjustable office chairs and desks, although those are important. It's about designing and adapting the entire work process to human needs.

By providing ergonomic furniture and equipment in the break room, employers can help reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and improve comfort during work breaks. Adjustable chairs and desks that accommodate different body types and heights allow employees to find the most comfortable and supportive position for their work. Additionally, incorporating standing desks or alternative seating options like stability balls can provide variety and promote movement, which can help combat sedentary behavior.

Incorporating dividers instead of walls in the break room can also enhance productivity. Dividers offer the advantage of creating private areas when needed while maintaining open communication channels. They foster collaboration and teamwork by allowing for easy interaction among team members [7]. These dividers can be in the form of screens or partitions that provide a sense of privacy without completely isolating individuals.

Customizing Personal Workstations

Allowing employees to personalize their workstations in the break room can significantly boost morale and productivity. When employees are given the autonomy to design their workstations, they can create an environment that is comfortable and reflective of their personal style and preferences. This personal touch creates a sense of ownership and belonging, which can lead to increased commitment and engagement towards their work.

Employers can provide employees with the freedom to add personal touches to their workstations, such as desk accessories, plants, or artwork. This customization not only adds a personal touch but also creates a sense of familiarity and comfort, reducing stress and increasing job satisfaction.

Furthermore, incorporating large surfaces, such as wide desks or communal tables, can significantly enhance the functionality and productivity of the workspace. These expansive surfaces provide employees ample room to spread out their work materials, reducing clutter and the stress that often comes with it. They also promote collaboration and teamwork, allowing for easy information sharing and idea generation.

By prioritizing ergonomic workspaces and encouraging personal customization, employers can create a break room that not only provides a relaxing environment but also contributes to increased productivity and employee satisfaction. These design considerations can go a long way in supporting the well-being and performance of employees during their work breaks.

Optimizing Office Layout

When it comes to creating a relaxing break room, optimizing the office layout is key to ensuring a comfortable and functional space. By strategically planning the layout, you can maximize space utilization and strike a balance between work and relaxation areas. Two important aspects to consider are space utilization strategies and balancing work and relaxation areas.

Space Utilization Strategies

Efficiently utilizing office space is crucial for creating a well-designed break room. Consider the following strategies to make the most of the available area:

Dividers: Instead of using walls, opt for dividers to create a flexible and adaptable workspace. Dividers offer the advantage of creating private areas when needed, while still maintaining open communication channels. They foster collaboration and teamwork by allowing for easy interaction among team members.
Multifunctional Furniture: Incorporate multifunctional furniture pieces that can serve multiple purposes. For example, choose tables with built-in storage or seating options that can be easily folded or stacked when not in use. This helps maximize space and promotes a clutter-free environment.
Vertical Storage: Utilize vertical space by incorporating shelves or cabinets that extend upward. This allows for efficient storage of supplies, equipment, and personal belongings, freeing up valuable floor space.
Open Layout: Consider an open layout design that encourages movement and collaboration. By eliminating unnecessary barriers and creating an open flow, employees can easily navigate the break room and interact with one another.

Balancing Work and Relaxation Areas

An optimized office layout should strike a balance between work and relaxation areas. It's important to provide designated spaces for both productivity and rejuvenation. Here are some considerations:

Workstations: Allocate a designated area for workstations where employees can focus and complete tasks. Ensure that each workstation is equipped with ergonomic furniture and accessories to promote comfort and productivity.
Meeting Areas: Dedicate a separate space for meetings, discussions, and collaboration. This area can be furnished with comfortable seating arrangements, whiteboards, and multimedia equipment to facilitate effective communication and brainstorming.
Relaxation Corners: Create cozy and inviting relaxation corners where employees can unwind during their breaks. Consider incorporating comfortable seating, soft lighting, and calming elements like plants to promote relaxation and recharge. These areas can include amenities such as reading nooks, soothing music, or even a small meditation space to encourage mental well-being.

Remember, a well-designed break room layout not only enhances employee well-being but also contributes to overall productivity. By optimizing space utilization and creating a harmonious balance between work and relaxation areas, you can create a break room that promotes comfort, rejuvenation, and a positive work environment.