Break room furniture: Small comforts, big team gains

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Today’s workplace break room is no longer just a coffee corner tucked away at the end of a hallway. More and more companies are investing in these relaxation spaces to create genuine, welcoming living areas that reflect their identity.
Well-designed layouts and appropriate furniture improve workplace quality of life and even team performance. Indeed, happy and rested employees are up to 12-13% more productive according to university studies. In this article, discover how to choose break room furniture and arrange it to boost well-being, team cohesion, and productivity.

What are the benefits of a well-designed break room?

A thoughtfully furnished break room brings tangible benefits for both employees and employers. Here are the key advantages:

Reduced stress and fatigue

Offering a space to take a few minutes to breathe helps reduce accumulated tension. Regular breaks improve concentration and prevent efficiency decline at the end of the day. For example, taking a 15-minute power nap restores energy and prevents burnout.

Team cohesion and informal exchanges

The break room is a prime location for strengthening bonds between colleagues. Chatting over coffee or around a foosball table stimulates conviviality and team spirit. These spontaneous interactions nurture creativity and workplace collaboration.

Attractiveness and employer branding

A quality break space demonstrates that the company cares about employee well-being. It’s a positive signal for retaining talent and attracting new recruits. This is why a well-designed break room enhances company culture and becomes an asset during recruitment.

Performance and productivity

Indirectly, these spaces improve overall performance. A pleasant and warm work environment further motivates employees. 70% of French employees believe their performance is enhanced by their workplace layout. Additionally, by promoting recovery, concentration lapses and absenteeism due to fatigue or stress are reduced.

Note:
Remember that for companies with more than 50 employees, the law requires providing a decent dining area (with at minimum a refrigerator, water access, and a microwave). Why not transform this obligation into an opportunity for creating a friendly and useful space for your teams!

Creating the ideal break room: Keys to choosing the right furniture & equipment

Essential elements: Basic furniture for a cozy room

The choice of break room furniture is crucial for creating a welcoming, multi-purpose atmosphere. Each company will have a configuration adapted to its culture and available space, but certain basic elements are essential:

  • Provide sofas, armchairs, or bean bags where colleagues can comfortably relax. Soft seating encourages relaxation and informal conversations. For example, bean bag chairs or plush sofas clearly signal a relaxation area.
  • If the break room also serves as a lunch corner, equip it with enough tables and chairs to allow employees to eat comfortably. Café-style banquettes can also add a friendly touch and maximize seating.
  • A quality coffee machine, refrigerator, microwave, and some storage for dishes are essential for meal breaks. These practical amenities encourage employees to use the break space daily.
  • Depending on company culture, consider adding a foosball table, ping-pong table, dartboard, or video game console. These recreational activities help teams decompress and promote team-building moments. Some companies go further by setting up nap corners with reclining chairs or even “sleep pods” for revitalizing power naps.

Diversifying furniture and making it versatile

It’s wise to diversify furniture to offer multiple uses. As an interior design consultant explains, “Sofas facilitate informal discussions while high tables encourage quicker exchanges.

Combining different seating options

In other words, combine different types of seating and tables to meet employees’ various needs throughout the day. This variety also allows staff to change posture between work sessions, which is beneficial for health.

Choosing modular furniture

Also consider modular furniture that provides flexibility. Folding or wheeled tables, stackable chairs, or even mobile partitions quickly transform the room into an impromptu meeting space or creativity zone. The goal is to maximize the use of every square foot: your break room can serve for an informal morning meeting, lunch at noon, and a brainstorming workshop in the afternoon, provided you have versatile furnishings.

Selecting custom furniture

Custom furniture can help optimize an unusual or tight break space while reinforcing its identity. To find this type of furniture, turn to workplace design experts.
Motilde designs and manufactures custom furniture tailored to business needs. Don’t hesitate to ask us for a custom quote!

Design tips: Atmosphere, comfort, and conviviality

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Creating a cozy space

Beyond furniture, the way you arrange and decorate the break room will affect its appeal. Here are some tips for creating an atmosphere conducive to relaxation without forgetting functionality.

Well-chosen location and insulation

Ideally, the break room should be located away from open spaces and concentration zones, so those taking a break can chat without disturbing those who are working. If possible, choose a dedicated room, or separate it with partitions. A closed door or partition helps contain noise. In open spaces, you can install acoustic panels or closed booths to create bubbles of tranquility.

Acoustic treatment to savor the quiet

Noise is the enemy of rest. Therefore, plan solutions to absorb sounds, such as acoustic ceiling tiles, foam wall panels, or a thick carpet on the floor to dampen footsteps. These discreet improvements ensure that laughter and coffee break discussions don’t become a nuisance for the rest of the office.

Light and colors: Dare to be bold

Take advantage of natural light in your break room whenever possible. A room lit by daylight is more pleasant and beneficial for mood. Complement this with soft, warm lighting (floor lamps, designer pendants) rather than harsh fluorescent lights.

For decor, dare to use more vibrant or relaxing colors depending on the desired effect. Unlike austere meeting rooms, the break room can adopt a casual style. For example, incorporating your brand color into the furniture or walls reinforces the sense of belonging. Finally, well-chosen touches of color will give the space some pep without visually overwhelming it.

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Decoration and natural elements for rejuvenation

Personalize the space with a few decorative elements that make it warm: houseplants for a soothing atmosphere, inspirational frames or posters, colorful cushions, etc. A green corner (even small potted plants) contributes to well-being by bringing nature indoors. Just be careful not to clutter the space – each object should have its place without impeding circulation.

“Home-Like” atmosphere

More and more break rooms are drawing inspiration from domestic comfort or hospitality design. This includes sofas with built-in outlets, lounge-type seating, shared bookshelves… these “cozy” elements allow colleagues to feel at ease while remaining in a professional environment. The goal is for the break room to be a place of complete disconnection from the workstation, where one feels almost “at home” while at the office.


Furnishing a company break room with suitable furniture is a project in its own right, which must take into account employee needs, space constraints, and your company’s DNA. As the experience of many organizations shows, investing in workplace well-being pays off: improved social climate, more engaged employees, enriched exchanges… and ultimately better collective performance.


It’s your turn to design a break space where it feels good to relax, interact, and revitalize: your colleagues (and your company) will thank you!

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