Does your office need a wellness room?
In her latest blog, our Head of Interior Design, Laura Baarda, explores the benefits of an office wellness room.
There have been huge improvements and investments in staff in the last few years, with companies looking to create offices that promote wellbeing, health, fitness and socialising with a considerable focus on people.
Through our clients and research, we have noticed a big drive in wellness rooms, also called contemplation rooms, renew rooms or respite rooms. Forbes reported that ‘87% of employees considered health and wellness offerings when choosing an employer,’ which is a considerable element for staff retention and talent acquisition.
A wellness room is a dedicated space for employees to focus on personal health needs; this could be stress-related, anxiety, sensitive private discussions, people administrating regular medication, pregnant women experiencing nausea, migraines, etc. This could also be a space for breastfeeding mothers or neuro-diverse individuals to remove themselves from over-stimulating work environments. Therefore, this is more of a multi-purpose room, and it’s working hard for its money!
We have researched and explored what a wellness room is, so you don’t have to. See below seven essential ingredients to a wellness room and why you might benefit from one:
- The Space
We know that space is premium within office environments; however, a wellness room could be created from an existing under-used space, like a first-aid or multi-purpose room, for example. It should be designed for one person at a time and therefore doesn’t require a large footprint.
Ideally, this room should be in a discreet location so people feel comfortable using the space without attracting attention. Depending on the area and desired use, it can be beneficial to have a small kitchen space for drinks stocked with healthy snacks and a small fridge, especially for breastfeeding mothers, to store milk. The room should not be bookable or lockable but have a discrete occupied sign to ensure privacy.
Image Credit Anton Grassl: https://officesnapshots.com/2021/05/10/boston-dynamics-offices-waltham/
- The Lighting
Usually, when you think about wellness, you immediately think of natural light – however, this is one space where natural light isn’t required. Ideally, you want to have as much control over the lighting as possible to support someone with a migraine or feeling overstimulated. Consider softer and more residential colour temperatures such as 2700K bulbs, table lamps or floor lamps to reduce glare and intensely bright light.
Image Credit Office Snapshots: https://officesnapshots.com/2019/08/30/allsteel-gunlocke-showroom-chicago/
- The Furniture
Furniture in this space should be designed for comfort, not just an extra meeting chair. At a minimum, there should be a comfortable chair and footstool and an occasional table to rest a glass of water within reach. If space allows, a small bed can be a great addition and room for another chair – should another person be required for counselling, first aid, etc. Also, consider one layer further regarding the interiors, with softer elements such as wallpapers, cushions, and throws to create a space for rest.
Always consider the desired use and the practicality of a space like this; it requires cleanability and durability similar to a healthcare environment (especially if this is a multi-use room for first aid etc.)
Image Credit Knoll: https://www.knoll.com/story/design-plan/neocon-2016-photography?epik=dj0yJnU9alJaYV9BNmRSQW5JWkJlbVlkVy1IVVNTOE9LV2JJTmYmcD0wJm49SXFybXR3Z3c0dWNfUjJjSUdUcXZlUSZ0PUFBQUFBR1JhalFF
- The Feeling
We want to create an immersive experience that feels like you can leave your troubles at the door. It shouldn’t feel like an extension of the office; therefore, the use of sounds and smells can be very transformative. Adding sounds such as birdsong, waves, and white noise can help ground someone feeling overwhelmed. Adding diffusers can help create a soft scent; however, this shouldn’t be over-powering, or this could have a contrasting effect.
Image credit Shelly Kroeger courtesy of The Wing: https://interiordesign.net/designwire/the-wing-brings-custom-designed-mother-s-rooms-to-brooklyn-office-buildings/
- The Palette
The best way to approach the colour pallet is to think of a spa and what you like to see in a calming space. Tranquil tonal colour palettes, colours that reflect nature, greens, stone, and sandy colours all support this environment. Try to avoid bright colours and keep artwork serene and calm, and none branded to ensure the space is focused on relaxation and not work.
Image Credit Bowman Riley, private client.
- The Planting
Planting within interiors can help make a space feel refreshing, rejuvenating and grounding. Consider materials within the interiors, such as timber finishes.
Picture Credit Biofilico: https://biofilico.com/recharge-rooms
- The Technology
This one is simple, nothing! This is a space to switch off.
Outside of this space, you can support your people by investing in apps like Headspace and have work programmes offering proven workplace mindfulness solutions.
This could be a simple way to give back to your employees and allow them to carry a virtual wellness space in their pockets.
Credit: Bowman Riley, Great Annual Savings Head Office Seaham
The Future of Wellness
An advanced system called Zerobody gives employees a chance to regenerate through dry float therapy; this can positively impact stress, muscle and joint pain, sleep, focus and psycho and physical recovery – so maybe the future wellness room will be a dry float space?
Image Credit IEUK: https://www.ie-uk.com/blog/why-every-office-needs-a-wellness-room
We hope this blog has given you some helpful things to consider if you are thinking about adding a wellness room to your office.
The value these spaces add to the workplace includes increased employee engagement, productivity and wellness. This area can work very hard for a small footprint, and getting the interior right will vastly affect the use of the room.
If you have read this and want to create a similar space but don’t have the luxury of an under-used or spare room, then some things can still be done. Creating wellness pieces within furniture, a booth, or a dedicated space – the lovely Steelcase Tents are a perfect example of something that could be used to create a wellness area within an open-plan office.
If you want to discuss creating a wellness space in your office, contact a member of our interiors team, Laura, Tom Shelley or Emma Black 07156 795611, we would love to help.
Picture Credit: https://www.ie-uk.com/blog/why-every-office-needs-a-wellness-room
Research Links:
https://www.workdesign.com/2020/01/tips-for-designing-wellness-spaces-at-work/