Creative Breakout Areas for Workplaces

Introduction

Breakout areas provide employees with designated spaces to take a break, relax, collaborate, or work independently, in turn improving well-being within an office. More than nice to have; the investment in creating breakout areas has real impacts on employee well-being, commitment and productivity.

Studies show that over 87% of employees want healthier workplaces, and in the tech industry 93% say they would stay longer with a company if it offers healthier workplace benefits such as sit-stand desks and ergonomic seating. One study also showed that 68% of staff felt they were more valued at work if their company invests in the workplace, while in the same cohort, 31% admitted feeling ashamed of their workplace.  

Breakout areas in the office can help improve employee well-being and productivity, and can also be an excellent tool for promoting creativity and innovation. In this article, we’ll explore 20 unique ideas for creating breakout areas in your workplace. From budget-friendly solutions to high-tech innovations, we’ll provide a range of ideas to suit businesses of all sizes and industries. For further guidance on incorporating these creative breakout areas into your office design, you can get in touch with our team below. We would be happy to discuss ways to better utilise your space and create a more productive work environment for your team.

Types of Creative Breakout Areas for Workplaces

Creative breakout areas in workplaces can help to boost productivity and encourage collaboration, while also providing a space for employees to relax and unwind. Here are some ideas to inspire you to create a more creative and unique breakout area in your workplace.

Private Pods and One-to-one booths

Private Pods offer a secluded space for employees to work, take calls, or have private conversations. These areas are designed to be soundproof and comfortable with a whole variety of features (such as power, data and ACs), providing a high level of privacy and concentration in a self-contained space. One-to-One Booths are more like meeting rooms. They can take a variety of forms, from two-person booths, and four-person booths, to fully functional small private rooms.

These spaces are typically designed with comfortable seating, good lighting, and sound-absorbing (acoustic) materials to ensure that the space is quiet and conducive to focused work or private conversations. One of the key benefits of having Private Pods and Booths in the workplace is that they can provide a sense of privacy and concentration that is often lacking in open-plan offices. By providing a quiet and secluded space where employees can focus on their work or have private conversations without distractions, businesses can help improve productivity and efficiency. Moreover, Private Pods and Booths can also be valuable tools for collaboration and teamwork. All in all, providing a diverse range of work settings with various types of pods and booths aids employee well-being and satisfaction, reduces stress and anxiety in the workplace, and leads to improved productivity. 

Town Halls and Function Spaces

Town Hall (which includes Function Space, or Gathering Space) is designed to accommodate a variety of activities, from large meetings and presentations to more informal gatherings, such as team-building exercises or social events. A Town Hall typically offers a more open and flexible layout than a traditional meeting room, allowing for a range of different setups and configurations.

This could include theatre-style seating for presentations, informal lounge areas for brainstorming sessions, or a standing room for networking events. The space may also feature audio-visual equipment, such as projectors and sound systems, to support presentations and other multimedia content.

A key advantage of having a Town Hall in the workplace is that it can serve as a hub for company-wide communication and engagement. For example, regular town hall meetings can be held in this space, where leaders can update employees on the company’s performance, goals, and other important information. This helps to promote transparency, trust, and a sense of shared purpose among the team. A well-designed Town Hall can also enhance the overall workplace culture by providing a space for social interaction and community-building.

By hosting social events, such as team-building exercises, employee appreciation days, or after-work drinks, the space can help employees connect with each other on a more personal level, building trust and camaraderie. This, in turn, can lead to increased morale, productivity, and job satisfaction. By providing a versatile, open, and inviting space for a range of activities, from presentations to social events, the space can help build a more engaged and connected team, driving success and growth for the business.

Touch-Down Areas and Hot-Desking

Touch-Down Areas and Hot-Desking have emerged, in part, as a result of changing work trends and technological advancements. These spaces offer a flexible, collaborative, and cost-effective solution for businesses looking to optimise their workspace and improve employee productivity. Touch-Down Areas are typically small, designated workstations that employees can use for short periods of time, such as during a break or while waiting for a meeting. They are designed to be quick and easy to use, with minimal setup required, making them ideal for tasks that require only a brief period of focus, such as answering emails or making a quick call. These areas can be located throughout the workplace, such as in hallways, corridors, or near common areas, providing employees with convenient access to a workstation when they need it.

Hot-Desking is a similar concept to touch-down areas but on a larger scale. It involves the sharing of workstations between employees, rather than assigning individual desks to each person. With Hot-Desking, employees can choose a workstation that is available at the time they need it, typically through a booking system or reservation process. This approach can be particularly useful for businesses that have a large number of remote workers, or for those who work on flexible schedules and don’t require a dedicated workstation every day.

There are numerous benefits of Touch-Down Areas and Hot-Desking. Firstly, they allow businesses to maximise the use of their workspace, reducing the need for a large number of dedicated workstations, which can be costly and inefficient. By providing employees with a choice of workstations, businesses can also foster a more collaborative and creative work environment, with employees from different departments and teams able to interact more easily.Touch-Down Areas and Hot-Desking can be particularly effective in promoting mobility and flexibility in the workplace. They allow employees to work from a variety of locations, such as different floors, buildings, or even different cities, without the need for a dedicated workstation. This can be particularly useful for remote workers, sales teams, or businesses with a large number of travelling employees. In short, by providing employees with quick and easy access to a workstation, businesses can foster a more dynamic and creative work environment, while also reducing costs and improving productivity.

Libraries and Reading Rooms

A unique and less often overlooked space in offices is libraries and reading rooms. These types of breakout areas promote quiet reflection, concentration, and learning, and provide employees with a peaceful and focused environment in which to work, read, or study. Libraries and Reading Rooms typically offer comfortable seating, such as armchairs or sofas, as well as desks or tables for those who prefer to work at a more traditional workstation.

They are also usually decorated with a calm and relaxing colour scheme and can feature natural light, plants, or other elements that promote a sense of calm and tranquillity. One of the key benefits of having a Library or Reading Room in the workplace is that it can promote continuous learning and professional development. By providing employees with access to a range of books, journals, and other reading materials, businesses can encourage their employees to keep up to date with the latest industry trends, best practices, and research.

This can lead to more informed decision-making, better problem-solving skills, and increased innovation in the workplace. Think about tasks that require reflection such as training programmes and upskilling activities. Some companies may also have employees enrolled on part-time further education programs. A reading room with good acoustic barriers could be the perfect solution for your office. 

Game Rooms, Chillout & Relaxation Areas

Game Rooms and Chillout/Relaxation Areas provide employees with a place to unwind, de-stress, and recharge during the workday. There’s a range of games and activities to choose from, such as pool, foosball, table tennis, or video games.

These spaces are designed to promote friendly competition (or fun leaderboards) and they encourage social interaction among employees, providing a fun and engaging way to break up the workday and build relationships within the team.Chillout/Relaxation Areas, on the other hand, are designed to provide employees with a place to escape from the stress of the workplace and unwind. These spaces typically feature comfortable seating, such as couches or bean bags, as well as soothing lighting, music, or other elements designed to promote relaxation and reduce stress.

Meditation and Prayer Rooms

Meditation and Prayer Rooms are a type of breakout area that is becoming increasingly common in modern workplaces. These spaces are designed to provide employees with a quiet and peaceful environment in which to meditate, pray, or reflect, regardless of their religious or spiritual beliefs.

They are typically designed to be free from distractions, with comfortable seating and soothing lighting that promote relaxation and tranquillity. Spaces can be decorated with neutral colours and calming elements, such as candles, incense, or natural materials, to create a sense of serenity and inner peace. By providing a space where employees can take a few minutes to pause, reflect, and re-centre themselves, businesses can help reduce stress, anxiety, and burnout, leading to a happier, more engaged, and more productive workforce. Moreover, Meditation and Prayer Rooms can also be a valuable tools for promoting well-being and inclusion in the workplace. Also having an open and welcoming for individuals of all religious and spiritual beliefs, businesses can help create a workplace culture that is inclusive and respectful of different perspectives and backgrounds.

Lounge Areas and Soft Seating: 

A lounge area can be a comfortable and relaxing space for employees to take a break and socialise. Add some comfortable seating, throw pillows, and a coffee table to create a cosy atmosphere. The photo below is a project we carried out for an international media streaming company.

Outdoor Spaces 

Outdoor spaces cannot be overlooked with fresh air and ventilation being such a key elements of ESG and a healthy workplace. Studies have shown that spending time in nature can reduce stress, improve mood, and boost creativity, leading to a happier, more engaged, and more productive workforce. Outdoor Spaces provide a refreshing change of pace for employees during the workday.

The outdoors provide a connection to nature and a place for employees to get some fresh air and sunlight, while also allowing them to continue their work or take a break from it. Outside of the office, space can take a variety of forms, such as patios, courtyards, rooftops, gardens, or even nearby parks or trails. Outdoor spaces are typically designed with comfortable seating, shaded areas, and greenery or natural features to promote relaxation and tranquillity. The outdoors can also be a useful tool for team building and collaboration. By providing a shared space where employees can come together to relax and connect with nature, businesses can help build relationships, promote communication, and foster a sense of community among their teams, leading to a happier, more engaged, and more productive workforce, and driving success and growth for the business.

Coffee bars and Teapoints

The UK drinks approximately 98 million cups of coffee per day, with just under half of that (44%) being consumed in the workplace, an estimated £232,000,000 worth of coffee each year. Coffee (and indeed tea or other hot drinks) are no doubt an important feature of the office, and some offices have made a full feature of it, like this beautiful coffee bar area that we fit out for DTRE, which doubles as a reception area for guests to grab a coffee as they enter the building.

 

There is a good reason coffee bars and tea points are popular options for a creative breakout area in the workplace. Not only does it provide employees with a space to socialise and connect with colleagues, but it can also help to boost employee morale and productivity. Given that the average person spends 81,396 hours in the office, having close friendships with colleagues is more likely to keep them happy and engaged in their work. Breaking for tea or coffee encourages conversation and friendship. A coffee bar can also help to create a sense of community and encourage collaboration among employees. Providing a space where employees can come together and connect over a shared love of coffee or tea, allows employers to foster a sense of camaraderie and encourages teamwork.

Gym and Fitness Areas

Gyms and fitness areas are great examples of how companies can prioritise employee well-being and promote a healthy lifestyle in the workplace. The health benefits of physical activity in the workplace are well-documented. Regular exercise can help to reduce stress, improve mental health, and boost overall well-being. In fact, a study by the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology found that employees who exercised regularly had better job performance, less burnout, and higher job satisfaction.

The image above is a gym breakout area we built for DTRE, a London-based commercial property agency. It comes complete with Pelelton bikes, a weights section, a full wall mirror and changing room area with shower facilities. Saving everyone a gym membership is surely one way to retain the great staff!

For more great ideas on breakout areas, or to get the ball rolling on your next office move, get in touch with our fit out team today.

The relationship between job satisfaction and health: a meta-analysis 

• Employee Physical Activity: A Multidisciplinary Integrative Review
• Chronic job burnout and daily functioning: A theoretical analysis