How to Create an Office Break Room That's Both Unique & Functional

May 4, 2018

A breakroom is an essential part of any office design. Employees need a place to relax and temporarily escape from their work routines, and they also need space to socialize, interact and collaborate. A well-designed breakroom can fulfill all of those needs, and it can also host office parties, lunch meetings and supplier conferences, if necessary. Setting up an inviting breakroom that does it all doesn't have to blow your budget. With some office cabinets, a few budget-friendly accessories and a bit of planning, you can create a space that keeps your team happy, healthy and productive.

Designate Space Within Your Office Design

Before you set up your breakroom, think about the maximum number of people it must accommodate and the purposes it will serve. Choose an area that comfortably accommodates your entire staff, even if your team rotates break schedules, and especially if you plan to use the space for office parties, employee meetings or other purposes. Ideally, the breakroom should be located in an easily accessible, central area. When possible, select a room with plenty of natural lighting.

Create a Kitchen Area

A breakroom's primary function is to give employees a place to eat lunch or enjoy a snack. A sink, a small refrigerator and a microwave are the bare necessities. Depending on your space and budget, consider incorporating countertops, cabinets and small kitchen appliances into the setup. A toaster oven broadens your team's lunch options, and it's also perfect for an afternoon batch of cookies. A quality coffee maker is a must in most workplaces. Opt for a programmable model so there's always a fresh pot ready when you arrive each day, and consider adding a blender to make juice bar-style smoothies.

Incorporate Seating and Functional Surfaces

A creative furniture layout makes a breakroom more functional and inviting. Instead of placing a long, rectangular table in the center of the breakroom, go for small tables throughout the room to encourage small group discussions and collaboration. Choose tables that are easy to push together to create flexible seating arrangements when needed. Integrate an area with comfortable seating, such as a sofa, armchairs or loungers, positioned around a spacious coffee table to give team members a relaxing place to work on projects, finish up paperwork or simply unwind. This area can also be used as a creative setting for staff meetings.

Add Color and Personality With Budget-Friendly Accessories

Transform boring white walls into inspiration boards and communication centers to keep employees engaged and connected. Add colorful borders and accents to a typical breakroom bulletin board. Hang this board in a central location, and use it to post company news and upcoming events in addition to any posters required by law. Cork wall tiles and dry-erase boards make project planning easy in work-conducive areas of the breakroom. Bring life to empty walls with framed art and motivational posters, or cover the walls with white butcher paper, supply crayons and markers and let your team do the decorating.

Stock Up on Food, Drinks and Disposables

When employees have access to snacks, drinks and simple meal options, they're less likely to leave the office at break time. Vending machines are an option, but an in-house snack bar typically offers more variety. Candy bars, chips and crackers are traditional breakroom favorites, while fruit cups, granola bars and trail mix offer healthier high-energy choices. Offer water, as well as juices and sodas, and don't forget to stock up on coffee essentials, including sugar, creamer and stirring straws. Disposable cutlery, plates and napkins are also useful in the breakroom. Invest in a shelved office cabinet to keep extra items out of sight until they're needed. A great alternative to stocking up on supplies is to purchase frequently used items on a subscription. You can set the quantity and frequency of your deliveries to suit your team's needs, and never run on empty.

A breakroom has the potential to offer so much more than a place to store and warm up leftovers. A unique and functional breakroom boosts employee morale, encourages creative collaboration, inspires new ideas and improves overall productivity.