8 tips for a relaxing break out area

The breakroom is the place where students and teachers alike take a break between classes, socialise with friends or colleagues and re-energise. It may also be a space for independent study and group project work. Here are 8 tips for setting up a comfortable multi-purpose breakroom with space for work, rest and play.

1. Flexibility is a must in the breakroom. Choose furniture on wheels that can easily be moved around the room. This allows users to rearrange the room quickly and easily to suit them.
2. Choose durable materials and fabrics that can withstand many hours of heavy use.
3. Include plenty of different seating options such as armchairs, bean bags, active seating, benches and plastic chairs. This allows students or staff to choose how they want to sit depending on what they are doing.
4. Breakrooms often have high ceilings and can become quite noisy. Acoustic panels and screens reduce noise levels and contribute to a quieter and calmer atmosphere.
5. Create "rooms within a room" using floor screens, bookcases or cabinets.
6. Divide the room into distinct zones to create separate areas for different activities. You might want an eating area, a space for socialising and relaxing, an area for group work and a quiet area for studying.
7. Many people who sit for most of the day prefer to stand during their break. A high bar table with bar stools or chairs makes it easy to switch from sitting to standing.
8. Remember to furnish the room so that it easy to clean. Stackable and folding furniture makes the room easy to clean as the furniture can easily be moved aside to free up floor space.