As flexible and remote working has retained its popularity post-Covid, having a workspace with something unique to offer is essential if you are trying to encourage employees to return to the office. In turn, many offices have decided to shake up their space to find ways to become more than just a place to get tasks done.
Office breakout areas are a perfect way to enhance your workplace, offering ample social and working space in equal measure. Whether you are apprehensive about relaxing your environment or are unsure why office breakout furniture would be of benefit to you, we have created this handy guide so you can understand what it is and why you should invest in it.
What is office breakout furniture?
Office breakout furniture is versatile furniture that allows you to create a multi-functional space within your workplace, away from desks and meeting rooms.
There are different options in all shapes and sizes to suit a wide range of spaces. Breakout areas tend to have a range of seating, from soft-style armchairs and sofas, to sturdier stacking chairs that are great for moving about.
While many office breakout areas are firmly out in the open, breakout pods can extend the options your staff have if they are wishing to focus, chill, or hold meetings more privately away from the vicinity of their desks.
Why invest in office breakout furniture?
With such a wide range of furniture for your breakout area available, there is no doubt that investing in this type of office furniture will improve the look and feel of your space. However, the benefits of office breakout furniture extend well beyond looking good. Here are 8 reasons to invest:
Improve employee wellbeing
Sitting at a desk all day is rarely the most productive way of working. Having a breakout area within the office is a great way to make employees feel comfortable taking a break. Whether they like to enjoy their lunch in peace or simply step away to conjure up some fresh ideas, your staff will feel less stressed and recharged by stepping away to a different environment.
Keep distractions to a minimum
Offices are generally pretty noisy, and it’s hard to find long-term ways of getting around that. Particularly if you have an open plan office, escaping the hustle and bustle can be near impossible. Investing in breakout furniture like a 4-seater den can be a great move if you are in need of a quieter or calmer area within your office.
Promote collaboration
Desks can often be packed together in modern offices, with spaces separated by dividers to aid privacy and focus. While division can be great for independent work, collaboration between employees is much easier in an open space. This is where office breakout furniture can come in. Comfortable seating aids creativity, and having space that can be used by all departments promotes healthy interaction and meetings between colleagues or groups in different departments that may otherwise not meet.
Offer alternatives to formal meetings
Meeting rooms are great for important conference calls or board meetings. However, these spaces can feel a bit intense for more informal chats or casual brainstorms. Breakout office furniture can be a great place to host less formal discussions over a coffee, helping staff to feel comfortable and relaxed when at work – this can only aid productivity!
Extra room to work
Most employees are able to work from just a laptop these days, meaning there really is no reason to stay in the same spot all day. By investing in office breakout furniture, you can create additional stations from which your employees can work. Mixing things up every now and again can create new sources of inspiration, and the additional space can also be particularly useful if there are certain days of the week when extra hot desks are required.
Keep your employees moving
It can be hard to stay active during the working day, despite all of us knowing just how important doing so is. Choosing to invest in office breakout furniture is also choosing to make an investment in your employees physical wellbeing. These spaces provide an incentive to get up and moving throughout the day, and you’ll find that your staff return to their desks happier and healthier in return.
Make the office more sociable
Breakout spaces are great for meetings and concentration, but they are just as valuable in aiding social interaction amongst the workplace. You can also keep all of the chit-chat in one place, providing clear distinctions between areas for those who need to focus intently and those looking to chill out for a bit and catch up.
Welcome visitors easily
If your business frequently welcomes visitors or hosts external meetings, a breakout area can be the perfect place to do this. Breakout office furniture feels significantly more warm and friendly than a meeting room or desk-side visit, offering the perfect place to get together with your visitors and make them feel at home.
Finding the right office breakout furniture
With so many benefits associated with office breakout furniture, you may be looking to start planning your breakout space today. Cost Cutters UK can offer you individual guidance and a free planning service to help you choose the right furniture for your needs. Get in touch with our friendly and expert team today to find out more.