Your Office Breakroom: Reimagined, Refreshed, and Ready to Serve!

Let’s face the facts – most office breakrooms of the past (if your office even had one) left a lot to be desired. Often these were less “rooms for a break” and more “places to shove a coffee maker, a small fridge, and a handful of mismatched mugs, cutlery, and dishes.” In fact, depending on the situation, your breakroom might still be a complete afterthought: a dingy corner with a decades-old coffee maker paired with a vending machine that’s been eating dollar bills since 2010. Until recently, breakrooms were typically overlooked when planning an office layout, and if they were planned out they were often understocked. Not anymore, and for good reason!

The benefits of a good office breakroom are plentiful, and businesses that don’t take advantage lose out on a secret weapon that boosts employee well-being, retention, and productivity. Let’s talk about why a quality breakroom matters and how you can make yours one actually worth visiting.

Why Breakrooms Matter – The Benefits of a Great Breakroom

Do you recall the last time you felt genuinely refreshed after a break at work? That’s what a quality breakroom delivers – relaxation and rejuvenation. When employees have an inviting space to recharge, they return to their desks more focused and energized. Not to mention, a well-designed and stocked breakroom also becomes a natural gathering spot where teams connect; ideas spark, and company culture strengthens organically.

Beyond the feel-good factor is the practical business side. Employees who can grab quality snacks and beverages on-site aren’t disappearing for 30-minute coffee runs or fast-food trips. They stay productive, engaged, and loyal to your company. Any organization that shows they care about everyday employee experience will have a much more productive team.

The Bare Essentials for a Good Breakroom

So, what qualities make up a good breakroom? Start with the basics: your food and beverage options. Nobody’s saying you need a Michelin-star setup, but your bar should be higher than drab coffee and random snacks leftover from months ago.

Fresh, quality options matter, so expand your options. That means you should provide a wide variety of quality coffee brews for your employees and utilize a quality coffee brewer that is up to snuff. It’s also a bonus if your brewer can also make drinks like lattes!

Provide snacks and beverages that cater to different preferences and dietary needs. And, of course, have appliances that properly work. Nobody likes waiting half an hour for the toaster to heat up a single bagel.

Then there’s the furniture. You want comfortable seating that doesn’t feel like a doctor’s waiting room, proper lighting, and enough space for people to relax without feeling cramped. The space should be inviting and functional, as well as fully stocked.

Building a Breakroom into Your Existing Business

The good news is that you don’t need to demolish walls or blow your budget to create an amazing breakroom. You just need the right partner to help you think it through.

At Guernsey, we specialize in transforming ordinary breakrooms into functional spaces employees want to use. We can upgrade your drink offerings with everything from coffee brewers and fresh local beans to sparkling water dispensers that keep everyone hydrated. With our snack programs, we provide traditional favorites alongside healthier options to keep your team well-nourished and on the premises.

We can also help you beef up the ambiance with furniture made for comfort and connection. For example, think of lounge seating for that inviting coffee-shop vibe. And for smaller spaces, consider counter-height tables and chairs.

If you’re thinking, “This all sounds great, but we don’t have the space for a breakroom,” we have solutions for that as well. We’ve been serving businesses throughout the DC, VA, MD, and PA regions for decades. From the initial concept and design through installation and the finishing touches, we’re with you every step of the way. We even offer on-site equipment repair and installation services for our customers.

Your breakroom should be an asset, not an eyesore. Ready to make it happen?