5 Considerations for Designing Workplace Wellness Rooms

Wellness is vital in modern offices. It goes without saying that people want to feel better at work. But it’s also beneficial to employers. For example, 56% of employees participating in wellness programs report fewer sick days, while 60% said they’re more productive.

Today’s evolving office environment provides more scope to make this happen. We’ve already seen a clear shift to hybrid working, supporting a better work-life balance. Wellness spaces could be next on the agenda. According to Steelcase, 91% of workers want casual spaces to re-energise at work – but more than half (51%) have no such space at their workplace.

So, what does a wellness space look like? And how do you cater for everyone? For most companies, they take the form of wellness rooms. These are dedicated parts of the office which are specifically designed for switching off from work.

In this article, we’ll look at the key considerations when designing inclusive wellness rooms and spaces for diverse employee needs.

What is a wellness room?

Also known as wellbeing rooms, wellness rooms are dedicated spaces within an office building where employees can switch off. They provide a break from the busy office environment – but not in the same way as communal breakout areas.

Wellness spaces are all about privacy – both physically and virtually. This includes maintaining a tech-free focus, giving employees the opportunity to truly switch off and recharge.

Why? In short, it’s needed. A third of workers report concerns about their emotional wellbeing, while around half say they feel stressed either always or often at work. Modern offices are filled with tech, which – while helpful for productivity – can make it difficult to relax. There are lots of studies to back this up.

Wellness rooms have been found to reduce occupational stress levels, going hand in hand with the reduction of stress reported by 78% of hybrid workers. It’s no surprise that hybrid working is on the up – with 1 in 4 workers on a hybrid model and 40% of UK employers facilitating this option. But as we mentioned earlier, the same can’t be said for wellness rooms, which are a feature in less than half of offices.

Sensory conditions

Sensory conditions are number one on the list for any workplace wellness room. We’re talking about light, sound and colours.

To start with, wellness rooms should be well soundproofed to promote privacy. You may also want to consider white noise machines, which have been shown to promote relaxation and quiet the mind.

Additionally, it’s important that lighting can be controlled. That includes dimmable light switches to increase or decrease levels to suit users’ preferences, along with blackout blinds for complete control over natural light.

Colours are another great tool for wellness. Muted colours and pastel shades create a softer environment, with a few popular colour groups for promoting calmness:

• Purple is often associated with meditation, with some claiming that it’s more effective under purple lights.
• Green can mimic the effects of biophilia, creating a natural atmosphere.
• Blue is the most relaxing colour, often associated with the sky and ocean

Coloured lighting is a good way to combine the two options. As well as being able to adjust light levels, having different lighting colours can create a more detached and relaxing environment where staff can feel separated from their usual workspace.

These factors are especially important for neurodiverse employees. More than 15% of people in the UK are neurodivergent – that’s roughly one in seven. This includes autism spectrum disorder, ADHD and other conditions. Adjustable lighting controls and soundproofing can help prevent sensory overload for neurodiverse people.