40 Amazing Workplace Break Room Ideas To Boost Employee Morale

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These amazing workplace break room ideas will support your employees needs and mental health while making them more productive!

Designing a fun and engaging break room can help promote a positive work environment and boost employee morale. It’s a great way to show your team members that you value their break time and overall wellbeing.

Gone are the days when break rooms were merely designated spots to grab a quick snack or unwind for a few minutes. Today, they serve as vital catalysts for your employee’s mental health and satisfaction.

By creating a welcoming environment in the workplace break room, employers can help ensure that their employees are well-rested and energized throughout the day.

With the right strategies in place, the staff break room can become effective tools for creating happier and more productive workplaces.

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workplace break room ideas

40 Amazing Workplace Break Room Ideas

These office break room ideas can make your office have a space space for employees to spend their free time within the work day. Hopefully these ideas inspire you!

Game Zone

Set up a dedicated area with games like foosball, table tennis, board games, or video game consoles. This can encourage friendly competition and provide a fun outlet for employees during their breaks.

Lounge Area

Create a comfortable space with couches, bean bags, and soft lighting where employees can relax, read, or have casual conversations. Adding plants, artwork, or a small library can enhance the ambiance.

Having a relaxing space away from the rest of the office is a great idea. Even as common space is helpful to give your team a place to decompress from work.

Comfortable Seating

Provide comfortable seating options, such as couches, bean bags, or lounge chairs, to create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.

Comfortable chairs will make your employees enjoy the space so much more than uncomfortable seating.

Coffee and Tea Station

Set up a well-stocked coffee and tea station with a variety of options, including flavored syrups, creamers, and a selection of teas. Consider investing in a high-quality coffee machine or an espresso maker for an extra touch.

A coffee station is a must in a break room. Make their cup of coffee extra special by keeping it well stocked. They’ll love free coffee.

Snack Station

Install a well-stocked snack station in the kitchen area with a variety of healthy snacks, beverages, and fresh fruits. Consider having a mini-fridge with cold drinks and a coffee machine or tea station as well.

Everyone loves free snacks! Make their lunch break enjoyable with fresh fruit, free food from a local restaurant, and paper products they can use to eat.

Mini Gym

If space permits, equip the break room with some basic exercise equipment like a treadmill, stationary bike, or yoga mats. This allows employees to engage in quick workouts and recharge during their breaks.

Having a mini gym can help employees stay fit and energized throughout the day.

Event Space

Designate a space in the break room for hosting events and activities like team-building exercises or office parties. This can encourage social jelling and help employees become better acquainted with each other.

Creative Corner

Dedicate a corner for artistic expression, equipped with art supplies, coloring books, or even a wall where employees can leave messages or doodle. This can provide a creative outlet and help relieve stress.

This is something you can do in a small break room space too. It makes a great addition to an office space. It’s the perfect place for a mental break. A happy employee is productive employee.

coworkers talking

Music and Entertainment

Install a sound system or a jukebox to play background music. Consider setting up a small stage or a karaoke machine for talent shows or lunchtime performances. You could also organize occasional events like open mic sessions or trivia contests.

Wellness Area

Create a space for relaxation and well-being. This can include massage chairs, meditation cushions, or a quiet corner for employees to practice mindfulness exercises or stretch.

Theme Days

Organize occasional theme days in the break room to make it more exciting. For example, you could have a “Movie Day” with a projector and popcorn, a “Smoothie Day” with a blender station, or a “DIY Snack Bar” where employees can customize their own treats.

Communication Board

Set up a bulletin board where employees can post announcements, upcoming events, or personal achievements. You can also include a suggestion box for ideas and feedback.

Inspirational Wall Art

Hang motivational or inspirational quotes, artwork, or posters that inspire and uplift employees. This can create a positive and visually appealing environment.

Book Nook

Set up a mini-library or bookshelf filled with books of various genres. Encourage employees to borrow and exchange books to promote reading and learning during their breaks.

Plant Life

Bring nature indoors by incorporating plants and greenery into the breakroom. Plants not only add visual appeal but also help improve air quality and create a soothing atmosphere.

Bring in a Pet Day

Designate a day where employees can bring their well-behaved pets to the break room. This can create a cheerful and stress-relieving atmosphere, promoting interactions between colleagues and providing a much-needed dose of cuteness and joy.

DIY Crafts Corner

Set up a dedicated area with various art and craft supplies, such as paints, markers, and clay. Encourage employees to unleash their creativity during breaks by making personalized crafts or engaging in therapeutic coloring activities.

Virtual Reality Zone

Create a virtual reality (VR) corner where employees can immerse themselves in a virtual world during their breaks. Provide VR headsets and a variety of games or experiences to choose from, allowing them to take a brief escape from reality.

Meditation and Relaxation Area

Set up a serene space with comfortable cushions, soothing lighting, and ambient sounds. Encourage employees to use this area for meditation, deep breathing exercises, or guided relaxation sessions to promote mental well-being and reduce stress.

Random Acts of Kindness Wall

Dedicate a wall where employees can leave notes of appreciation, encouragement, or small acts of kindness they’ve experienced or witnessed. It creates a positive and uplifting atmosphere, reminding everyone of the importance of kindness in the workplace.

eating pizza on a couch

Book Exchange/Library

Establish a book exchange system or mini-library in the break room. Encourage employees to bring in books they have enjoyed and allow others to borrow or exchange them. It fosters a culture of continuous learning and provides a relaxing escape through literature.

Indoor Garden

Set up a small indoor garden with potted plants, flowers, or even a vertical garden. Greenery adds a touch of nature to the break room, improving air quality and creating a refreshing and calming environment.

Theme-Based Décor

Regularly update the break room with themed decorations related to holidays, seasons, or popular events. It brings a sense of festivity and encourages engagement, creativity, and conversation among employees.

Puzzle Wall

Install a large magnetic or corkboard wall where employees can collaborate on jigsaw puzzles, brain teasers, or challenging word games. This encourages problem-solving skills, teamwork, and friendly competition.

Community puzzles are a great way to engage small groups together.

Virtual Fitness Classes

Set up a screen and audio system for employees to join virtual fitness classes during their breaks. Offer a variety of options like yoga, dance, or HIIT workouts, allowing employees to engage in physical activity and recharge their energy.

Retro Arcade

Create a nostalgic breakroom experience by incorporating classic arcade games like Pac-Man, Space Invaders, or pinball machines. This adds a touch of nostalgia and provides a fun outlet for employees to unwind and compete.

Innovation Board

Install a dedicated wall or whiteboard where employees can share innovative ideas, creative solutions, or thought-provoking questions. This fosters a culture of innovation and encourages employees to think outside the box.

Wellness Challenges

Organize wellness challenges within the breakroom, such as step count competitions, hydration challenges, or healthy recipe exchanges. Provide a leaderboard to track progress and offer rewards or incentives for participation.

Virtual Museum Tours

Set up a large screen or projector to offer virtual museum tours during breaks. Employees can explore famous museums and art galleries worldwide, expanding their knowledge and appreciating different cultures.

Build-Your-Own Smoothie Bar

Provide a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and healthy toppings for employees to create their own customized smoothies. Include recipe cards with nutritional information to encourage healthy choices.

Sensory Corner

Create a cozy nook in the breakroom with comfortable seating, soft lighting, and sensory items like stress balls, fidget toys, or scented candles. This space promotes relaxation, mindfulness, and stress relief.

Wall of Fame

Showcase achievements, milestones, or recognition of employees on a dedicated “Wall of Fame.” This celebrates accomplishments and fosters a sense of pride and motivation among the workforce.

Chalkboard Wall

Install a large chalkboard wall where employees can express themselves creatively. They can draw, sketch, write encouraging messages or inspirational quotes, or even play impromptu games.

Oversized Games

Think Giant Jenga and huge Connect Four. These large-scale games are perfect for team building and provide an interactive way to take a break from the daily grind.

Nap Room

Designate a private area or “nap room” where employees can take short naps during their breaks. A power nap can refresh the mind and improve productivity, allowing employees to tackle tasks with renewed energy.

Electric Charging Station

Set up an electric charging station in the break room for employees to charge up their devices. This provides a convenient place to rest their devices and keep them powered up throughout the day.

Question of The Week

Encourage friendly conversations and foster team-bonding by posting a different question each week. These can range from inspiring questions about career aspirations to lighthearted queries about favorite hobbies or music preferences.

Free Drinks

Provide free drinks such as tea, coffee, or flavored water to encourage employees to stay hydrated and healthy. This prevents fatigue and boosts alertness, helping employees stay productive.

Mocktail Bar

Set up a “mocktail” bar with non-alcoholic cocktails, fun flavor combinations, and healthy smoothie options. It provides employees with refreshing drinks to enjoy during their breaks without the influence of alcohol.

Gift Exchange

Organize an occasional gift exchange event in the break room, allowing employees to show appreciation for each other by exchanging small tokens. This encourages team bonding and strengthens relationships among colleagues.

Outdoor Seating Area

Designate an outdoor seating area for employees to take their breaks in the fresh air and sunshine. Include comfortable furniture, colorful umbrellas, and shade trees or plants to create a tranquil place for relaxation.

woman drinking coffee

Final Thoughts On Designing an Amazing Breakroom in the Office

These are just some of the many ways to create a welcoming and engaging break room in the workplace.

With the right strategies in place, employers can foster an energized and productive atmosphere that boosts morale and encourages collaboration

among employees.

A great break room should be a fun and inviting place that promotes relaxation, team building, and creativity.

By considering the above ideas, employers can create an environment where their employees can take productive breaks and return to work feeling refreshed and energized.

By incorporating elements of fun, relaxation, comfort, and inspiration, organizations have unlocked the power of these environments to enhance employee morale, promote work-life balance, and boost overall productivity.

A great break room should be a place of relaxation and fun. It should have plenty of comfortable seating, games such as ping pong or foosball, and interesting activities like puzzles or books.

A well-stocked kitchen with snacks, beverages, and coffee can also help employees take a break from their workday and relax. Additionally, having an area with televisions, projectors, or other multimedia entertainment can provide more options for employees to take breaks.

To ensure a comfortable and pleasant atmosphere in the break room, employers should consider designating certain areas for specific activities, such as quiet zones for reading or relaxing and designated areas for gaming or sports.

Finally, organizations should consider having a dedicated break room team to manage the area and its activities. This team can help ensure that the break room is stocked with food and beverages, clean up after events, keep the space organized, handle any complaints from employees, and provide general support when needed.

Remember to consider the preferences and needs of your specific workplace when implementing these ideas. Solicit input from employees and encourage them to contribute their own suggestions to ensure the break room caters to their interests.

About the Author

Nicole Booz

Nicole Booz is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of GenTwenty, GenThirty, and The Capsule Collab. She has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and is the author of The Kidult Handbook (Simon & Schuster May 2018). She currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two sons. When she’s not reading or writing, she’s probably hiking, eating brunch, or planning her next great adventure.

Website: genthirty.com




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