Yesterday’s break rooms were designed to be a functional space; an uninspiring place where employees grab a quick bite before returning to their desks. However, there has been a dynamic shift in what a break room can be. Today’s break rooms are shedding their clinical demeanor and embracing a new identity that mirrors the warmth and ambiance of our favorite restaurants, pubs and coffee shops.

These trends emphasize comfort, safety and a sense of community, encouraging employees to enjoy their breaks and recharge during the workday. 

The design of the modern break room kitchen centers around efficiency and fostering a sense of community. It boasts an array of food and coffee options to suit a wide range of preferences. 

Some companies are taking it further by introducing micro markets: offering employees a broader selection of foods and the convenience of purchasing meals on-site. These micro markets often feature meal options in vending machines or display refrigerators, along with snacks and coffee, either purchasable or complimentary. 

Community islands promoting team interaction are becoming a norm, often equipped with power sources to facilitate work in a more relaxed setting. High-end appliances such as water/ice machines and display refrigerators are installed for convenience, contributing to a cohesive design that mirrors the ambiance of a chic café or bar. Companies also incorporate amenities such as kegerators for beer or cold brew to enhance social gatherings and corporate events. 

Subtle design moves, such as under-the-counter microwave placement and sophisticated millwork, elevate the breakroom’s aesthetic, shifting it from a traditional break room to a modern café vibe. 

Lounge areas are often found adjacent to the break room kitchen and act as communal havens, echoing the ambiance of coffee shops, eateries and bistros. They usually offer a variety of seating options, from plush lounge chairs and secluded booths to shared benches, catering to a range of activities and personal preferences. 

Strategically positioned at the heart of the office, these lounges and break rooms are open and inviting, enhancing teamwork and interaction. Often positioned near windows, they provide a visual and physical link to the outside world, inviting natural light and views that contribute to well-being and vitality. 

In addition, they are equipped with audio-visual technology to create versatile spaces, ready for everything from impromptu meetings to all-company events. These thoughtful upgrades are aimed at crafting spaces that not only encourage casual collaboration and relaxation but also serve as a retreat from the traditional office setting, meeting the newfound desire for comfort and flexibility that employees have grown accustomed to at home.

Wellness Rooms: Offering Care and Support

Wellness rooms are being programmed into or adjacent to break rooms, embracing a more holistic approach to employee well-being. These specialized spaces cater to specific needs, fostering a sense of care and support for employees. 

One use would be a lactation room for mothers returning to work. They are equipped with a comfortable lounge chair, a side table, convenient wall outlets, a refrigerator and a sink, with ample counter space for cleaning. These serene havens offer privacy, comfortable seating, and soft lighting for moms to have a private space without feeling rushed or stressed.

Respite rooms are a second type of ancillary space prioritizing relaxation and rejuvenation for staff. These dimly lit sanctuaries offer employees a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of the office. Massage chairs provide instant relief and physical relaxation. These respite rooms strive to include windows, allowing access to natural light and connecting with nature to help employees recharge during their breaks. 

Lastly, some recharge rooms use aromatherapy: fragrant oils or diffusers infusing the air with calming scents. Whether it’s lavender, eucalyptus or citrus, these aromas enhance relaxation and promote mental clarity.

Break Room Plumbing Design

Based on these trends, understanding the client and the design teams’ vision is paramount to the cohesive design of the plumbing systems. Selecting the right plumbing fixtures can reinforce this atmosphere and elevate the overall experience. From faucets to bottle fillers to sink designs, all come together to enhance both the function and atmosphere. 

Several plumbing approaches should be considered when providing the plumbing design to support the break room. The examples of plumbing approaches listed in this article are not exclusive to modern break rooms and can be applied to various areas.

Selecting faucets, whether manual or automatic (touch-free), should be part of the overall story the break room conveys. When combining aesthetics with safety and comfort, an automatic break room sink faucet is normally preferred. Automatic faucets also create a safer and more sanitary environment. Without human contact, the break sink faucet will have fewer contaminants on its surface and less chance of spreading contamination to users. 

However, not everyone is familiar with the operation of these automatic faucets. Regardless of the selection, the faucet must be easy to operate. Otherwise, instead of promoting handwashing, it will discourage the use when staff are frustrated with the operation. 

Reverse osmosis (RO) is a common request from clients to purify water for break room drinking water and ice machines. The plumbing designer needs to coordinate with the RO filter location so it’s hidden but still provides proximity to fixtures and access for maintenance. 

Point-of-use water or instantaneous water heaters are also often used for these applications. While normally found under the sink, options are available to place instantaneous water heaters in a box with access doors installed within a wall. This not only helps with aesthetics but also frees up the space under the sink for the RO filter system or other uses. Remember that these water heaters have disconnect switches with code-required clearance requirements for service. 

Some overlooked plumbing features include wall or floor cleanouts. As the name implies, these are provided at fixtures, larger changes in direction and longer runs to allow for cleaning should the line become blocked. Careful planning is required to provide the code-required cleanouts. The preference is to have these accessible but out of sight. Different approaches, such as routing, sizing and support, can also affect the plumbing breakroom design. 

Modern break rooms’ holistic approach to employee well-being is closely planned in conjunction with adjacent rooms. The plumbing piping distribution should follow a similar approach. Ideally, pipe routing is planned in such a way that plumbing fixtures in nearby areas cannot negatively affect each other, such as hammering. Placing plumbing fixtures nearby also reduces the plumbing infrastructure required, simplifying designs.

Office break room design has shifted from a generic utilitarian design to create spaces that feel more like restaurants, pubs or coffee shops. The goal of modern break room design is to create inviting havens where colleagues linger, recharge and connect. Additions of ancillary wellness and recharge rooms have become a huge staff satisfier as employees feel their workplace is valuing their needs. 

Ultimately, the goal is to create vibrant community hubs with a balance of designing a space and promoting well-being. l Maria Delasotta is an interior design associate in the health studio at SmithGroup. She is certified by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification and LEED, with more than 13 years of experience designing for various clients, locally and nationally.

Amy Dooley is an interior design associate in SmithGroup’s workplace studio. She is certified by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification and LEED, with more than 20 years of experience designing office spaces for a variety of local and national clients.

Lowell Manalo is the plumbing discipline leader for the western region at SmithGroup. He is a member of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers and has more than 20 years of experience designing plumbing systems for a variety of building types.