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Content Manager
Content specialist in office design and build.
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Breakout areas are a key part of the modern workplace – but they’re not all created equal. From quiet and private areas to collaborative, social spaces, there are so many different types of breakout spaces in offices.
Not sure which ones are right for you? Or what exactly they should look like? To give you a better idea, this article will run through six types of breakout spaces for your workplace. First, let’s explore why breakout spaces are so important for your office.
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The importance of breakout spaces
Breakout areas aren’t just a place for staff to spend their lunch break. They can be used for collaboration, socialisation, wellness and so much more. These kinds of spaces are sought-after by employees, with 87% saying they’d like their employer to offer healthier workspace benefits like wellness rooms, for example.
Breakout spaces can also be valuable in terms of productivity, catering to the many different preferences of employees in your office. While you might have teams that like a busy, collaborative office, others may want a quiet space for focused work. Noise was amongst the most common complaints from employees when it comes to productivity, for instance, in our 2024 survey on workplace inclusivity.
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Conversely, you might have an office layout where staff have their own workspaces, but require somewhere to collaborate from time to time. It’s about creating spaces that allow staff to break out from the usual office environment, which can be tailored to their requirements.
Additionally, breakout rooms can be beneficial for your brand image. Many brands have breakout spaces which reflect their company’s specialism – think tech-rich arcades at a games development company, for example.
However, the right breakout spaces can actually be instrumental in building your company culture too – not just showcasing it. The right communal spaces can foster a more sociable, unified environment for employees and your company as a whole.
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6 great ideas for breakout spaces in offices
1. A place for privacy
We mentioned above how noise is one of the most common complaints in modern workplaces. With that in mind, some of the best breakout spaces in offices are those which allow people to literally ‘break out’ of the noisy, busy environment.
Meditation pods are the ultimate option for complete solitude and silence. However, many offices incorporate more versatile private spaces, such as private booths which can be used by one or multiple people. M&C Saatchi’s office includes quiet areas with high-back sofas, allowing groups to have quiet conversations or employees to take some time to themselves.
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2. Go one further with wellness rooms
If you want to go beyond privacy, how about a dedicated wellness room for your employees? This refers to a space where employees can truly switch off. Features include:
- Sensory conditions – Soundproofing, white noise machines and muted colours create a calming environment.
- Comfortable, ergonomic furniture that supports different body types and needs.
- Biophilic elements such as greenery and natural light – though light levels should be controllable with blackout blinds and dimmer switches.
Marshmallow’s London HQ is a great example of how this can take shape. Their multifunctional wellness room and retreat space incorporates biophilic elements to create an environment that underscores the company’s commitment to employee wellbeing. You can read more in our article ‘5 Considerations for Designing Workplace Wellness Rooms’.
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3. Open spaces for socialisation
Sometimes, breaking out means moving away from a traditional workstation to a space that’s more open and collaborative. That could be desk-based employees wanting to move around or just specific teams that want to mix with people from other departments.
A great example of this is the open staircase at OwnBackup’s London office. The central staircase leads directly down into their social hub, providing bleacher seating for an increased capacity. It also means that nobody has to leave the main office area to move between floors.
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4. Full-on fun
Maybe you want your breakout space to show your brand’s fun side? If that’s the case, you can’t beat the games room vibe. The breakout space at Pexip’s office features a pool table, darts board and table tennis tables, giving staff an entertaining place to truly unwind.
Their breakout area connects to an outdoor decking area with barbecue facilities, providing the perfect setting for company parties and other functions. This generous provision of social space is ideal for companies with a ‘work hard, play hard’ ethic.
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5. A dedicated dining space
Many offices choose to build their breakout space around the kitchen or dining facilities. This choice allows you to go beyond the bare minimum, where employees prepare their food in the kitchen then take it back to their desks.
By offering plenty of seating around the communal kitchen, you can create a space that’s more versatile and inviting. At THM’s office, the combined teapoint and breakout space encourages people to come together with an open plan and movable furniture. An in-built Sonos sound system also means the space can double up for meetings and presentations if needed.
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6. Keeping breakout spaces flexible
With the cost of office space continuing to rise, it’s more important than ever to make the most of every square foot. With this in mind, flexible breakout spaces can be a great option. This means designing a space that can be used for different purposes or activities on a day-to-day basis.
Take Moorhouse’s Flex zone, for example. As their main breakout space, it provides informal lounge areas for employees around the teapoint. However, it also has different configurations including:
- Dine – for catered events
- Move – creating a large, open area for exercise or sporting activities
- Craft – where workstations are set up for focused activities
The Flex zone can be expanded using a folding wall, which opens up the largest meeting room. It also uses modular furniture with controllable lighting to suit different events and activities. Take a look using the image slider below.
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Deciding on your breakout space
We’ve outlined six options to give you an idea of the different kinds of breakout spaces in offices. But above all else, your spaces should be tailored to the requirements and preferences of your team. At Oktra, we take a bespoke approach to office design, involving key stakeholders from the very start of the process.
If you would like to talk more about the right breakout space for your office, request a callback from our team.
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Speak to a workplace expert
020 7553 9500
info@oktra.co.uk
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