What does a good breakout area in the workplace look like?

Breakout areas are simple yet valuable spaces that should be part of every modern workplace. They give employees the opportunity to rest and recharge, which in turn sparks creativity for the rest of the day.

A good breakout area is a fantastic wellbeing initiative that can help attract and retain star talent. Here is what a good breakout area in the workplace looks like, so your business can reap the rewards.

Set your breakout area apart from the rest of your workplace.

A breakout area is an opportunity to escape the stresses and strains of the working day, so above all else you want to make sure that the theme of this space is a far cry from the rest of your workplace.

Whereas you would expect offices and workstations to be somewhat corporate, a good breakout area should be anything but. This space should be clearly identifiable as an opportunity for employees to wind down and relax.

Your theme should radiate positivity, which is why a lot of projects utilise bright colours with wall pictures and motivational quotes. Meanwhile, think about your furniture. Comfy seating, such as sofa’s, is synonymous with relaxation, so this could be a good avenue to explore.

The atmosphere of any good breakout area needs to be upbeat. You could implement booths for private working (more on that below) but the heart of your breakout area should encourage informal discussion, laughter, and enjoyment.

A lot of our vending machine and Micro Market projects are seeing briefs that include TV’s, games consoles, and even table tennis tables and pool tables! Once you get into the mindset that a breakout area should take your mind away from work, it opens the door to plentiful opportunity.

Finally, it might be worth considering the exact location of your breakout area. Whilst you may be limited, choosing somewhere with natural light has been proven to have a powerful and positive effect on our mental health.

Consider modern working demands in your breakout area.

The modern world has seen a sharp rise in home and hybrid working, but even those still operating from their traditional workplace still have fresh demands that every good leader has to consider.

Fewer employees believe they are productive just sitting at their desks for 7 or 8 hours a day. It’s not only a traditional way of work that now doesn’t work for everyone, but office noise can make it hard to concentrate, too.

A good breakout area may include acoustic pods and stations, for solo work. By keeping these away from the central activity of a breakout area, you are helping employees to stay productive on a particular task that may be causing them some bother.

Additionally, a good breakout area is an opportunity for team meetings and project work. This isn’t the most exciting benefit of a breakout area but it’s certainly a practical one! Traditional desks make it hard to collaborate effectively, so a breakout area where you can sit and face each other is ideal.

Heading to a different location, one that is more informal, sparks discussion and opens up creativity. Why not consider a booth or furniture that allows employees to sit together to work? Remember to consider power outlets and charging accessories to get the most out of these facilities.

With more staff choosing to work away from their desks, providing employees with such opportunity via their breakout area is a great way to improve satisfaction and productivity.

Offer refreshment facilities!

Of course, a breakout area will primarily be used during break times. These intervals are when employees might want to grab a tea or coffee, or perhaps enjoy a bite to eat.

By providing these refreshments in your breakout area, you are further enhancing this space and making sure employees make full use of the location instead of risking lost work time to head off site. An office coffee machine, water cooler, or a spate of vending machines are a nice addition.

81% of employees from a Nespresso survey said that coffee breaks help them build stronger relationships with colleagues, so it would arguably make sense to include fresh bean and fresh milk coffee in your breakout area.

You could even intertwine this refreshment solution into the design of your breakout area. For example, vending furniture enables you to provide a coffee machine with all the amenities alongside comfy booth seating.

Meanwhile, the innovative Micro Market solution brings all kinds of refreshments into one convenient hub that you can access 24/7.

—

If a dedicated, quality breakout area is part your plans to enhance employee wellbeing and drive staff retention this year, contact Coinadrink to see how easy your vision can be brought to life.

Coinadrink Ltd

10-11, Maple Leaf Industrial Estate, Bloxwich Ln, Walsall WS2 8TF
01922 640777