How to Make the Most of Social Spaces Within the Workplace

We’re moving towards a time where social spaces are no longer just a ‘nice to have’ feature within a workplace. They’ve become a must-have, especially for larger businesses (and increasingly for SMEs as well). So, what should employers be looking to provide in order to move with the times?

Whether you’re planning a full office refurbishment or simply looking to optimise your current layout, well-designed social areas are a key part of modern working life.

The Benefits of Social Spaces at Work

Breakout areas and kitchens are more than just places to grab coffee. They’re great for encouraging team members to share ideas and build stronger working relationships. Most people feel more relaxed and open to conversation in these informal areas compared to formal meeting rooms. 

Taking regular breaks is proven to increase productivity (The Wellbeing Thesis), so making sure your staff have a place to go to recharge their batteries after completing a project or task will benefit your business over time. Plus, investing in social spaces tells your workforce that you care about them as human beings and you trust them to manage their own output; this all makes the whole work environment a more pleasant place to be.

1. Safety First

During the global pandemic, many businesses scaled back communal areas to reduce risk. It seemed inappropriate to focus on areas of the office that encourage mixing and communication. But, as we move forward, it’s essential not to lose that sense of community that makes businesses thrive.

While health and hygiene remained a top priority, we found it was completely possible to design safe and compliant social spaces using smart commercial interiors:

• Office partitions to separate spaces and manage flow
• Clear signage for maximum occupancy and hygiene reminders
• Ventilation and air quality solutions
• Touch-free tech for appliances and access
• Regular sanitisation protocols in shared spaces

Even in a cautious climate, your team needs a way to connect. Social spaces can help prevent feelings of isolation and support mental health (without compromising safety.

2. Make Your Space Work Harder

You may think there is no room for large breakout spaces within your current set up, but chances are you’re not using the space to its maximum potential. 

Many offices have underused corners, walkways or poorly planned open areas that can easily be transformed. With space optimisation techniques such as clever layout planning, partitioning and zoning, you can create usable, productive social spaces without needing to expand your footprint.

At Contract Interior Systems, we’ve been designing and fitting out workspaces for decades. This means we can help you spot opportunities in your existing layout that you might not have noticed. For example: 

• Convert unused meeting rooms into multi-functional lounges
• Rework awkward corridors into booth seating areas
• Create micro-kitchens or coffee hubs in overlooked corners

Sometimes, it’s not about more space. It’s just using what you already have more efficiently.

3. Create Flexible Areas

Having a fancy kitchen fitted is great, but make sure that you also have adequate seating so your employees stay long enough to sit down, chat and relax. We’re sure you go out of your way to recruit the best staff in their field, so you want them to be able to share ideas easily for maximum output (rather than keeping them all confined to separate desks).

Some features of a great social space include:

• Adequate, comfortable seating that invites people to stay, relax and engage
• Creating zoned layouts with partitioning or soft furnishings to define areas without fully closing them off
• Open plan design with acoustic solutions like wall panels, rafts or soundproof dividers
• Charging stations and power points for modern work habits

Having these flexible social spaces will also help you when trying to recruit new staff and retain your current employees. It’s seen as a big plus point for job seekers.

4. Balance Comfort and Style

Of course, if you’re investing in new furniture for these spaces, you should take the opportunity to choose bold and eye-catching designs that complement your brand look; but don’t forget that comfort is key. 

If you want staff to use these areas – to eat, relax, meet or even work occasionally – then the office furniture must be ergonomic and the design should be welcoming rather than looking more like a display area only.

Bean bags might look fun in photos, but if they’re comfortable, they won’t get used. Look for: 

• Soft, supportive seating
• Durable but warm materials
• Modular furniture for flexibility
• Clean, calming colour palettes (or go bold if it suits your brand!)

What You Need to Get Started

When it comes to the office design, here’s a simple checklist to guide your planning:

• Comfortable Seating – Modular sofas, lounge chairs, cafe-style benches.
• Practical Tables – Low and high tables for dining, chatting or casual work.
• Partitioning – Use screens or glass walls to create defined zones.
• Office Lighting – Soft lighting for relaxation, bright options for eating or reading.
• Power & Tech – Sockets, chargers, screens or music controls.
• Hygiene Measures – Easy-clean surfaces, sanitising stations.
• Branding – Feature walls, colours and furniture that reflect your culture.

Let’s Get Started

Whether you need office furniture, partitioning or a whole new office design and fit out, we are here to help. We have over 50 years of experience in the industry and can help you transform your workplace into a more sociable place to be, which will benefit your staff and your business. To start planning your office refurbishment, get in touch with our commercial fit out contractors today.