The employee office break room is a very important part of any office.
It’s a place where employees get the opportunity for a much needed and well-earned respite from work. When they get a chance to step away from their job, take a deep breath, visit for a bit with their co-workers, and eat some nourishing food – they come back to their desk ready to tackle their job.
It is also a perfect place for collaboration and for teams to gather.
Ensuring employees have a comfortable break room where they can enjoy a reprieve often calls for a break room furniture remodel.
Today, we’ve compiled some tips which can help any business design a stylish, comfortable break room setting for their employees.
4 Steps to Create an Inviting, Relaxing, Modern Office Break Room
Here are just a few steps we recommend companies take to turn their ho-hum break room into a relaxing, stylish space.
1. Make Sure There’s Plenty of Natural Light
Artificial light can take a toll on people. It can cause headaches and eye strain. If at all possible, make sure the break room is in a place which gets a good amount of natural sunlight.
Not only will this have a positive effect on employees’ physical health, but it can also affect their emotional health. Sunlight and nature are soothing. Seeing them for even a few minutes throughout the day – like during breaks – can help to reduce anxiety and stress.
In the case where there is not access to natural light there are certain warm white lights which can be used to make the environment less sterile. For example, using lighting in the 2300 - 2700 Kelvin light spectrum range can create a more warm, inviting and comfortable space.
2. Go for a Relaxing Color Scheme
Color has a huge effect on people’s emotional wellbeing, too.
Certain colors can reduce stress, while others can increase the heart rate. Choose a color palette which is soothing, relaxing, something which will invite people in, instead of driving them out.
Too much white can make a space appear uninviting and sterile, but with the right décor, it can look clean and refreshing.
For those who aren’t fans of an all-white space, some other emotionally soothing colors to consider are:
- Earth tones: Provides a sense of grounding and stabilization
- Greens: Makes people feel calm and balanced
- Blues: Provides calmness and serenity
- Lavender: Provides a sense of clarity, while promoting imagination and creativity
3. Personalize the Break Room so It Looks Different from the Rest of the Office
The best way to give employees a break and make them feel like they’re actually getting away from their work is to provide a sort of oasis. Whether they choose to eat in the break room or not, employees will love spending time relaxing in the break room if it contains:
- Comfortable furniture, like upholstered booths, group seating, and chairs and tables from Millennium Seating
- A variety of plants
- Art and other decorations
- Colorful dishes, or even paper plates and cups with fun designs
Providing these little touches will encourage a work-life balance, even during office hours.
4. Make Sure There’s a Variety of Break Room Seating Options
Comfort is key to any workspace. It is important to take into consideration different seating styles to suit a variety of needs and uses.
Some employees may prefer low tables with mid-backed chairs so their feet can touch the ground. Others might prefer standing height tables with the option to sit or stand. There also might be a preference for a community style table for large gatherings or booths for smaller group meetings.
Whether it’s for solo meals or group gatherings, comfort and versatility is important and is what creates an inviting space.
Enhance the Experience for Employees with a Well-Designed Break Room
Everyone needs a break from their job throughout the day. It gives us the opportunity to step away from challenging tasks and get a chance to breathe. Even a short break can give us the respite we need to face our tasks from a fresh perspective.
Having an inviting, well-designed break room is an investment in the success of a business. When employees get regular breaks, it raises their efficiency and productivity rates.
Think of your break room as a collaboration area as well. It's not just for breaks. The seating is perfect place for teams to gather.
Follow the tips above to ensure company employees get to enjoy the relaxing, comfortable commercial office break room furniture they deserve.