Office breakout areas are great for boosting employee morale, engagement and, ultimately, productivity in your office. In this blog, we explore some of the best ideas for breakout spaces.
After more than a year of working from home, many companies are starting to think about going back to the office, either permanently or part-time. If this is your case, this can be the perfect time to reconsider what your employees need from an office.
For many people, the transition to going back to the office will be difficult. After all, we have all gotten used to working from home, having our own space, etc. However, human connection is something that always comes up when you ask people what they miss the most from working in an office.
Once it is safe to do so, chatting and having lunch and having informal meetings with other colleagues will make the transition back to the office much more enjoyable. Breakout areas provide the best environment for catching up with other colleagues and taking breaks throughout the workday.
Benefits of having a great office breakout area
Office breakout areas or breakout rooms make offices much more productive. Expecting employees to work for 8 hours without taking their eyes off the screen is not realistic. Even the smallest breakout areas can provide a safe space for employees to spend a few minutes away from their desks and help them rest and be creative.
The importance of breakout areas has also been backed up by research. According to a study by the University of Illinois, taking regular breaks from a task can improve an employee’s ability to focus.
If you are looking for inspiration, here are some great ideas to help you plan the next office breakout space for your office.
A living room inside the office
A breakout area doesn’t have to be completely separated from the rest of the office. This is an example of how you can integrate the ‘normal’ office space of desks and chairs with a more relaxed environment with sofas, coffee tables, floor lamps and a TV. This is perfect for catching up with colleagues and for team meetings and presentations.
Urban feel
A cosy corner like this is a perfect breakout space for colleagues. These sofas are set against an exposed brick wall and (almost) floor to ceiling windows for a cool urban loft feel with city views.
The ‘library’
You don’t need a huge space to create a comfortable breakout area. A bookshelf separator like this is perfect for separating the desks from the comfortable chairs and little tables. You can fill in the spaces with books, plants or decorative elements.
An office in nature
Studies have shown there are multiple benefits to adding plants to your office, including reducing stress, increasing productivity, reducing absenteeism and cleaning the air.
Additionally, the colour green has a relaxing and calming effect. Therefore, integrating plants in your office breakout areas is a great way to create spaces that feel safe and relaxing for anyone who needs to take a break from their desk. Don’t be afraid to add as many plants as you like to the breakout area to make it a more relaxing space.
Hideout spots
A ‘hideout’ is the perfect spot to have a catch up with colleagues away from your usual desks. With comfy seating and cushions, encapsulated by a wood frame, this example has earthy colours for a natural and warm look.
Contemporary breakout area
When it comes to choosing your breakout area furniture, you have multiple options. For instance, you can choose cosy sofas or even minimalistic benches and chairs as in this example. Just keep in mind that the furniture you choose for your office will need to be in line with the culture of your business. For example, informal seating areas like this are great for startups and modern businesses.
Kitchens or office breakout areas?
If you have enough space, your office’s kitchen can become the breakout area for your business. Depending on the distribution, your kitchen can be everything from the place where employees prepare their meals to an informal meeting room.
Thinking about adding a new breakout area or redesigning your whole office? Get in touch with us to discuss ideas. We will create the perfect space for you and your business.
