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Your office break room isn’t just a place to grab coffee between meetings. It’s where ideas are born over lunch conversations, where team bonds strengthen during casual catch-ups, and where employees recharge to bring their best selves back to work. Yet many businesses overlook the potential of this vital space, treating it as an afterthought rather than the community hub it should be.
At Office Furniture Plus, we’ve helped hundreds of companies across Irving, Austin, and San Antonio transform their break rooms from bland, underutilized spaces into vibrant areas that employees actually want to use. Here’s how the right break room furniture can revolutionize your workplace culture and boost productivity.
Studies consistently show that employees who take regular breaks are more productive, creative, and engaged. But here’s the catch: they need a space that actually invites them to step away from their desks. A cramped room with mismatched chairs and a wobbly table sends a clear message that breaks aren’t valued. On the other hand, a thoughtfully designed break room tells your team that their well-being matters.
Before you start planning, ask yourself one key question: How many people typically use the break room during peak lunch hours? This number should drive your furniture decisions. As a general rule, plan for seating that accommodates about 25-30% of your staff at any given time.
The days of hard plastic chairs are behind us. Your break room should offer variety in seating to accommodate different preferences and activities. Start by honestly assessing your existing chairs. If they’re structurally sound, they might just need cleaning or fresh upholstery rather than complete replacement.
For most offices, aim for a mix of:
The beauty of blending furniture is that you don’t need to buy everything new. Perhaps your current seating is solid but looks dated—reupholstering can give them new life at a fraction of replacement cost.
Break rooms need to accommodate various activities throughout the day. Start with one larger communal table as your anchor piece—this becomes the heart of your break room and encourages interaction across teams. Add a couple of smaller tables for intimate conversations or solo lunch breaks, and consider one high-top table for casual standing conversations.
Before buying new, check if your current tables are structurally sound. A solid table with surface scratches can often be refinished to look brand new. At Office Furniture Plus, many of our used conference tables make excellent break room additions at a fraction of the cost of buying new.
Nothing kills the vibe of a break room faster than clutter. Smart storage keeps your space functional and inviting. You’ll need cabinets for dishes and supplies, open shelving for communal snacks and coffee, and hooks or a coat rack for bags and jackets.
Here’s a practical tip: Standard office filing cabinets and bookcases can be repurposed as break room storage. They’re perfect for holding extra supplies, paper goods, and backup inventory while keeping everything organized and accessible.
If you have a larger break room, think about creating different areas for different needs. Position your food prep area—refrigerator, microwave, and coffee station—along one wall. Place your largest table where it gets natural light if possible. If space allows, tuck a couple of lounge chairs in a quieter corner for those who want to decompress alone.
A simple rule of thumb: leave enough space between furniture for people to move comfortably. You should be able to walk around tables easily, and chairs should have room to pull out without hitting walls or other furniture.
Your break room furniture should create an atmosphere that’s distinctly different from the main workspace. Choose materials that are both durable and inviting. Laminate or sealed wood table tops are easy to clean and maintain. For seating, vinyl or commercial-grade fabrics stand up to daily use while staying comfortable.
Stick with neutral base colors—they’re timeless and easy to work with. You can always add personality through affordable updates like colorful seat cushions, artwork, or plants.
Choose furniture that can be rearranged when needed. Lightweight tables and chairs allow your team to reconfigure the space for birthday celebrations, lunch-and-learns, or casual meetings. This flexibility maximizes your investment and keeps the space feeling fresh.
Here’s where smart planning really pays off. You don’t need to replace everything to create an amazing break room. Walk through your current space and sort furniture into three categories: pieces that just need cleaning, pieces worth repairing or refinishing, and pieces that need replacing.
A typical renovation might mean:
At Office Furniture Plus, we’ll assess what you have and give you honest recommendations. Sometimes a few hundred dollars in refinishing gives you furniture that looks as good as brand new pieces costing thousands.
Not every office has a sprawling break room, and that’s perfectly fine. Even compact spaces can foster community with smart furniture choices.
Focus on multi-functional pieces: a counter-height table that works for both dining and standing conversations, wall-mounted shelving to maximize vertical space, and stackable chairs that can be stored when not in use. Every piece should earn its place by serving multiple purposes.
For very small spaces, consider a fold-down table attached to the wall. It provides extra seating when you need it and disappears when you don’t.
Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to make missteps when furnishing a break room. Here are the most common mistakes we see—and how to avoid them.
While it might seem easier to order everything from a single source, this approach often leads to cookie-cutter spaces that lack personality. Worse, it usually means paying premium prices for pieces you could get for less elsewhere. Instead, blend furniture styles and sources. Mix new pieces with quality used finds and your existing furniture. The result looks more intentional and unique while saving you money.
That sleek, modern chair might look amazing in photos, but if it’s uncomfortable after 15 minutes, no one will use your break room. Always prioritize comfort, especially for seating. If possible, test furniture before buying. Sit in the chairs, lean on the tables, and imagine using them daily. Beautiful furniture that goes unused is just expensive decoration.
Cramming too much furniture into your break room creates a chaotic, frustrating space. People need room to move around comfortably, especially when carrying food or hot beverages. Leave adequate clearance around tables and between furniture pieces. A break room that feels cramped will see less use, no matter how nice the furniture is.
Break rooms take a beating. Coffee spills, food stains, chair scratches—it all happens. Choosing delicate materials or light fabrics might look elegant initially, but they’ll show wear quickly. Opt for commercial-grade materials designed for heavy use. Laminate table tops, vinyl or performance fabric seating, and sturdy metal or solid wood bases will look better longer and require less maintenance.
A beautiful break room can quickly become cluttered chaos without adequate storage. Don’t wait until after furniture arrives to figure out where supplies, dishes, and personal items will go. Plan storage from the start. Cabinets, shelving, and designated spaces for everything keep your break room looking clean and inviting.
This might be the costliest mistake of all. Many businesses assume they need to start from scratch, but often existing furniture just needs attention. A professional cleaning, some repairs, or refinishing can transform tired-looking pieces into furniture that looks brand new. At Office Furniture Plus, we help you honestly assess what’s worth keeping versus replacing, ensuring you invest wisely rather than wastefully.
Ready to upgrade your break room? Here’s a simple checklist to get you started:
Assess Your Current Situation
Define Your Needs
Explore Your Options
Execute Your Plan
Most break room projects take just 3-4 weeks from planning to completion. We handle everything—delivery, assembly, and removal of old furniture—so your space is ready to use right away.
Your break room is an investment in company culture and employee satisfaction. With thoughtful furniture choices, you can create a space that brings people together and helps them recharge effectively.
At Office Furniture Plus, we believe you shouldn’t have to choose between quality and affordability. Our blended furniture approach and inventory of new and used options mean you can create the break room you envision without breaking the bank.
Ready to transform your break room? Contact us today for a free consultation, or visit one of our showrooms to explore the possibilities.
Do You Know?
We Offer NEW Furniture From 200+ Manufacturers?
Office Furniture Plus’s has an amazing manufacturer lineup! No matter what you need for your business—whether it’s for your boardroom, mailroom, office, or common area—we have options for every taste and budget. Some are niche, some are obscure, and we’re always here to make recommendations for you. Would you trust us with one meeting?
Do You Know?
We Offer Over 200 Plus Manufacturers, Short Lead Times, Qualitative Choices and Great Pricing!
Our website and showrooms display immediately available used office furniture options that are one call, one delivery from working for you; great economics, immediate delivery. Would you trust us with one meeting?
Couldn’t Decide Between New or Used?
Why Not Both? Create Your Custom Furniture Blend.
You don’t need to replace everything? Our budget-friendly approach maximizes value. Combining your existing furniture with carefully selected additions not only saves you money but also guarantees your needs are met while satisfying your wants. Would you trust us with one meeting?
400,000 square feet of office furniture in the heart of DFW.
Our showroom offers an expansive selection of space dedicated to ergonomic chairs, spacious desks, and collaborative workspaces. We cater to every office need – from the small office to sprawling corporate spaces. Our elegantly designed showroom ensures a delightful shopping experience, helping you envision the transformation of your workspace. Would you trust us with one meeting?
