Lounge area in the office: benefits and valuable design tips

The demand for collaboration spaces, including office lounge areas, doubled between 2021 and 2024. The future of the office layout is diverse, dynamic, interactive, and people-centric. This means providing your team members with just a desk and a chair is no longer enough. If you want to stay ahead of corporate design trends, the increasing interest in having a lounge area in the office is one of them. This is where we find misalignment between companies and their staff, making them reject the idea of returning to the office daily. Do you already have a workplace lounge, and do you feel nobody uses it?

This often happens when not designed to meet employees’ expectations, boost their on-site experience, and enhance their productivity and well-being. In this article, you learn more about the different functions of an office lounge, its positive effects on your workforce, and the design rules to follow to create a welcoming and engaging lounge in your workspace.

What is the purpose of having a lounge area in the office?

A space to relax and reset

Regular breaks are essential to remain productive throughout the day, but employees need places to take those breaks. One of the primary purposes of an office lounge area is to provide a space for staff to switch off and reset during their workday.

In office lounges, they can close their eyes for a few minutes with headphones on, read a bit to relax after a stressful meeting or chat with colleagues before returning to their tasks. These moments of rest enhance overall work performance.

Coming up, we will explain how to create an office lounge area that fosters relaxation. 

A modern area for informal meetings

This more laid-back workplace area can also be used for more informal gatherings. Organizing team meetings in an office lounge fosters a relaxed atmosphere that can encourage open communication and creative thinking. The casual layout reduces hierarchy, making everyone feel more comfortable and willing to share innovative ideas.

Moreover, your office lounge can also be where HR and team managers conduct job interviews with potential candidates. In this context, it helps you set the tone about your corporate culture and the workplace’s vibe. Hosting discussions in a lounge subtly communicates the company’s emphasis on a collaborative and relaxed work environment. 

Eventually, it will leave a lasting impression on visitors about the workplace atmosphere, your value for employee well-being, and a harmonious organizational culture.

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A place to gather for brainstorming sessions

Who said the best ideas only unfold while sitting in a desk chair at a long conference table? Although brainstorming sessions usually happen in meeting rooms, gatherings in the office lounge are becoming more popular.

Carrying on brainstorming sessions in an informal setting like an office lounge can break down barriers, encouraging more open and spontaneous idea sharing. The comfort and casualness of the lounge diminish the pressure often felt in official meeting rooms, thus boosting creative thoughts. Moreover, a non-traditional space can inspire employees to think outside the box and re-energize their collaborative efforts.

What are the benefits of an office lounge area?

A lounge area in the office boosts collaboration and social interactions among your workforce

Office lounge areas enhance collaboration and foster social interactions among hybrid employees. By stepping away from the norm and isolation of individual desks and conventional meeting rooms, these collective spaces offer a comfortable environment that encourages your staff to come together informally. 

This setup promotes spontaneous communication, the exchange of ideas, and team bonding. It breaks down hierarchical and interdepartmental barriers and contributes to deeper interpersonal relationships. As colleagues converse over coffee or brainstorm on a couch, a sense of community is built, strengthening the fabric of the organization’s culture.

It increases employee satisfaction and makes the office more attractive

While RTO mandates are on the rise, many companies face employee return-to-office backlash. The reasons why workers reject the idea of going back to the office daily are diverse. Yet, an unattractive physical workplace layout can be one of them. People got used to working from home in a comfy environment with a cozy chair and a coffee machine nearby (with good coffee! ☕). Rethinking your entire office arrangement and design can deeply influence their motivation to visit the workplace more often. Creating a welcoming and well-thought-out office lounge area is your opportunity to give your workplace a homely feeling, which can also spark motivation. 

It aligns with the new office’s role and the need for agile workspaces

Office lounges provide an extra workspace option for your employees. Your office layout should also include zones where workers can talk, exchange, and relax. The office’s role has changed over the last couple of years with the rise of flexible work arrangements. People no longer come on-site only to get their jobs done but mostly to work collectively, bond with their colleagues, and experience a sense of belonging in the workplace.

Moreover, lounge areas are utilized for time to chill and as non-traditional office spaces. The 2023 WeWork Global Office Trends Report reveals that companies are slowly implementing more of those spaces. Before COVID-19, lounges represented 12% of the workspace. In 2023, this shifted to 19.3%.

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An office lounge area enhances employee performance and productivity.

Office lounge areas offer an alternative to the structure of formal workspaces. These spaces allow mental breaks, reducing stress and fatigue through a change of setup that helps to reset cognitively and physically by walking from one space to another. The opportunity for relaxed, spontaneous interactions can also boost motivation and spark innovation. 

By designing lounges with comfortable seating and creating a casual atmosphere, you enable employees to unwind. This can increase concentration and energy levels when returning to their initial tasks. These zones are key to balancing effective work and moments of pause that benefit your team members’ well-being and productivity.

It demonstrates your modern and people-centric approach to work

All tasks don’t have to be done from a single desk. Great work and ideas can flourish in more informal workspaces. The most crucial aspect is offering a comfortable and inspiring work environment that answers your staff’s needs.

What’s the difference if they work from a chair or a sofa? What matters is that they get the work done, get plenty of fantastic ideas, and are happy with their work life. Moreover, the importance of focusing on employee well-being is rising across all industries worldwide. Providing them with a place to pause and relax for a few minutes is a way to support this aspect.

How do you design a welcoming, inspiring, and practical workplace lounge?

Prioritize functionality and optimize your space

Not all companies have the space to set up one or several lounges. If your office is small, optimization and functionality are your best allies. Yet, regardless of the square footage available, creating a helpful lounge area hinges on its practicality and space optimization.

It’s essential to design your office lounge with comfort and accessibility in mind. Thoughtful furniture placement and the right balance of seating and surfaces enable your lounge users to relax, converse, and enjoy this environment fully.

The key is to provide enough room for social interaction without overcrowding, select versatile furnishings that serve multiple purposes, and ensure a natural flow. By prioritizing practicality alongside style, a lounge area can become an inviting hub that maximizes your office space.

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Make the lounge area in your office attractive

Workplace lounges often remain unused. They are a part of the building that people pass by without noticing or feeling attracted to. But when designed correctly, lounges can become one of the most important areas of your office. They serve as the heart of the workplace, providing spaces where employees can decompress, collaborate informally, or find inspiration away from their desks.

To do so, you must pick comfortable and ergonomic furniture, create the right atmosphere, and install valuable amenities for your employees and guests. For example, you can place inspirational books on the tables so your staff can read and rest their eyes instead of scrolling their phones. You can also offer a few card and board games to foster team bonding and help them switch off for a few minutes.

Choose your office lounge area furniture meticulously 

Which vibe do you want to create? Style is important, but don’t forget comfort. The initial purpose of this space is to relax and switch the brain off for a few minutes. When choosing your office area lounge furniture, you should consider three key aspects: comfort, productivity, and aesthetic appeal.

Factors to consider include ergonomic design for prolonged comfort, robust, durable materials, and versatility for various seating arrangements. For instance, ergonomic chairs support proper posture, a modular sofa system can be reconfigured for different team activities, and height-adjustable tables cater to the diverse needs of employees.

A thoughtful selection of these elements ensures a functional and inviting lounge area that enhances the daily office experience.

Take time to pick the right colors and design for your lounge area

Selecting the right colors and design style for an office lounge is crucial as they profoundly impact employee mental health, mood, and performance. Color psychology suggests that hues like blue and green promote calmness and efficiency, while pops of yellow or red can invigorate creativity and energy.

Moreover, integrating a biophilic design, which incorporates natural elements like plants, natural light, and organic textures, reduces stress and enhances well-being. It can have real effects on your team members’ concentration and productivity.

Therefore, a well-designed office lounge with a harmonious color palette and components of nature can positively influence your staff’s cognitive and emotional states.

🌿Learn more about the benefits of biophilic office design!

Involve your employees in the process

We would rather say it too often than not enough: involving your employees in the process and collecting genuine feedback about their needs is crucial. 

They will use this space the most, and they know what could make this area of your office more useful and appealing. Plus, this inclusive approach fosters a sense of ownership and appreciation among the staff as they contribute ideas that reflect their expectations regarding comfort and functionality. 

Considering their feedback, the finished lounge is more likely to enhance their daily experience, boost morale, and increase job satisfaction. So, before deciding on anything, take the time to discuss with them what they would like to have in this space.

We hope you no longer see the lounge area in the office as just a space for team members to take a brief break from their desks. It is a multifaceted environment that serves to recharge, socialize, provide a relaxed work setting, and facilitate informal collaboration. Designing this space thoughtfully – by valuing functionality, aesthetics, and employee-centricity – can transform it into the heart of the workplace and become another workspace option, boosting well-being and productivity. Developing an inviting, well-planned lounge is an investment in your company’s human capital and shows your commitment to fostering a supportive and modern work culture. 

Is it time to rethink your office space and design a more future-proof and people-focused setup? Thanks to our user-centric and innovative features, we help you optimize, manage, and create the best office environment for your team members.

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