We are exploring modern breakroom design trends – a year where the humble breakroom is stepping into the spotlight as a strategic space rather than a mere grab-a-coffee-and-go.

In workplaces where hybrid schedules and employee experiences are steering design decisions, the breakroom has evolved into a destination for comfort, creativity and connection. This is true across the education sector too where student breakout spaces and staffrooms are being reimagined as crucial zones for inclusion and collaboration.

Adam Smith, Managing Director and Janinne Taylor, Head of Marketing & Product Development at Morleys share their thoughts:

Can you share a short general prediction for the breakroom sector for the next 12 months in terms of sales?

Janinne: As FF&E specialists, we work across education, workplace, and public sector environments, and we anticipate around a 10% rise in project sales for breakroom refurbishments over the next 12 months. This growth reflects wider market trends, with organisations investing in spaces that support well-being and work life balance as companies embrace a hybrid working model. Modern breakrooms, whether in schools or offices, are evolving into vibrant hubs for connection, featuring quiet zones for relaxation and opportunities to step away from busy schedules.

What sustainable or eco-friendly initiatives are you implementing in your products and services? How are clients responding to these changes?

Janinne: Sustainability is now at the heart of the furniture and interiors sector, particularly in shared spaces like breakrooms. At Morleys, we’re committed to specifying and supplying furniture that’s both eco-friendly and responsibly manufactured. Polypropylene chairs are a popular choice for breakout spaces, and recent additions to our portfolio include the Titan Retold chair made from 100% recycled plastic pellets, saving 15 tonnes of plastic from landfill every year, and the Blue Finn chair made from at least 85% recycled blue wrap used in medical instrument packaging.

All of our wooden furniture is produced from FSC-certified timber, finished with low-VOC coatings, and upholstered with responsibly sourced textiles like recycled PET fabrics, organic cotton and biodegradable fibres. We also champion circular design, offering furniture audits to identify pieces that can be refurbished, repurposed or recycled. Where items are no longer needed, we donate them to charitable organisations, reducing waste while delivering social value.

As a carbon-neutral business, our supply chain partners must share our sustainability ethos. We prioritise UK-based manufacturers, use reduced packaging and work with transport providers focused on low-carbon operations. Every product we specify is built for durability, backed by long warranties to extend both its lifespan and our clients’ investment.

Our approach also considers design, with breakrooms created using biophilic design elements, natural finishes and maximising natural daylight. We integrate recycling stations and specify energy-efficient appliances to encourage sustainable habits every day.

The response has been overwhelmingly positive. In education, schools and colleges welcome sustainability as part of their social responsibility commitments, resonating strongly with today’s generation of students.

In the workplace, corporates see eco-friendly breakroom solutions as a way to meet ESG and CSR targets. In the public sector, sustainable suppliers are increasingly prioritised through procurement frameworks, making strong eco-credentials a real differentiator in tenders.

Are there any new areas in the breakroom category that you’ve ventured into that complement your existing offering?

Janinne: As breakroom design continues to shift toward spaces that promote well-being and relaxation, rather than serving solely as dining areas, we have introduced a wider variety of seating options, including soft seating. This transforms the look and feel of the space, creating a warm, inviting, home-from-home environment.

When it comes to upholstery, careful consideration is key. We recommend fabrics that not only provide a tactile and comfortable feel but also deliver durability and stain resistance to suit everyday use.

We have also noticed a rising demand for dining and breakout furniture with a “resi-mercial” aesthetic – think dining tables that would feel right at home in a residential setting or bistro sets that have an urban café vibe.

These contemporary styles complement our existing range, allowing us to meet every customer’s needs, regardless of budget or brief.

Can you walk us through your latest innovations in breakroom and kitchen products that are designed to improve employee satisfaction?

Janinne: Appliances now play a central role, ranging from luxury bean-to-cup coffee machines and barista-style brewing systems to touchscreen combi ovens and smart vending machines stocked with healthy, nutritious snacks.

Furniture innovations are increasingly integrating technology, allowing employees to relax in lounge chairs or modular sofas while conveniently charging their devices. Combined with premium kitchen appliances, these thoughtful design touches help create spaces where employees feel both valued and genuinely cared for.

How do you tailor your breakroom solutions to fit the unique culture and needs of different businesses?

Adam: We recognise that every organisation, be it a business or a school, has its own culture, priorities and way of working, so our breakroom solutions are never a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we take a consultative approach, working closely with each client to understand their vision, user preferences and budget.

Culture-led design: for creative, fast-paced environments, we might focus on flexible breakout areas and collaborative furniture. For more traditional or corporate workplaces, we may prioritize calm, comfortable zones that encourage rest and recharge.

Employee wellbeing: we consider how the space can support wellness, whether that is through quiet pods for downtime, biophilic design to boost mood, or healthy food and beverage options that promote better energy throughout the day.

Technology integration: from smart coffee systems to touchless vending and water stations, we tailor appliances to match the organisation’s size, tech-readiness and expectations for convenience.

Scalable solutions: whether an organisation wants a cost-effective refresh or a high-end, café-style refit, we ensure the design feels authentic and achievable within their budget and space constraints.

Our goal is to create a breakroom that feels like an extension of the company’s values -supporting employee or student satisfaction, strengthening the culture and making time spent at work more enjoyable.

What design or product trends are you seeing in breakroom spaces as companies focus more on collaboration and employee well-being?

Adam: The latest trends in breakroom products and design focuses on café-style layouts, biophilic elements, lounge zones and smart tech set-ups to improve employee well-being and collaboration.

To encourage employees back into the workplace, many companies are embracing hybrid models that promote work-life balance and reimagining spaces to feel collaborative, welcoming and enjoyable.

Furniture solutions are evolving too, with private pods and booths offering quiet zones for reading, meditation or relaxation – helping reduce stress and prevent burnout. At the same time, modular seating and flexible breakout areas encourage collaboration, social interaction and stronger workplace connections.

Green design is another defining trend. By incorporating natural elements such as living walls, plants, eco-friendly finishes and abundant natural light, companies can create environments that lift mood, enhance productivity and support overall well-being.

Providing space for fitness or leisure activities – such as a gym, a wellness room, gaming equipment, yoga or a pool table is also a good way to promote well-being and social connection.

Are you seeing a shift toward more tech-enabled or smart breakroom setups, and if so, how is this improving the employee experience?

Janinne: Yes, there is a definite shift towards more tech-enabled breakroom spaces which is transforming the employee and student experience. Technology is helping to make break times more convenient by saving time – from digital platforms that allow meals to be pre-ordered to tech-integrated furniture and wireless charging points. These upgrades don’t just modernise the space, they make break times more efficient and enjoyable.

How can furniture design support inclusivity in communal spaces – for example, accommodating neurodiverse staff or varied working styles?

Janinne: Furniture design plays a powerful role in creating inclusive communal spaces by ensuring that all employees/students, regardless of working style, accessibility needs or neurodiversity, feel comfortable, supported and able to thrive. As FF&E specialists, Morleys has decades of experience in furniture and design solutions, helping our clients to create inclusive spaces where everyone can use the space and feel that they belong.

Our in-house design team consider a number of elements to ensure the space supports inclusivity and empower people:

Choice and Flexibility – modular furniture allows layouts to be reconfigured for group collaboration or individual use. A mix of high tables, lounge seating and private booths caters to different preferences and work styles.

Neurodiverse-Friendly Design – quiet pods, screens or acoustic furniture help reduce sensory overload for those who need calmer spaces. Soft textures, natural materials and subtle colour palettes can create tranquil, low-stimulation environments.

Accessibility – height-adjustable tables, wider walkways and furniture designed with mobility in mind ensure equal access for all. Easy-to-move lightweight chairs and flexible seating options allow people to adapt the space as needed.

Comfort and Well-being – ergonomic furniture reduces physical strain and zoned spaces create social hubs, focus nooks and relaxation areas – acknowledging that not everyone recharges in the same way.

Sense of Belonging – by offering a variety of seating and layouts, employees/students can choose what works best for them in the moment, reinforcing the message that every working style is supported.

What advice would you give dealers who want to position furniture and interiors as a key part of successful breakroom solutions?

Adam: Furniture and interior design are at the heart of successful breakroom solutions. We help clients see these elements not simply as functional requirements, but as powerful drivers of culture and the overall employee or student experience.

Through our design approach and marketing, we demonstrate how well-planned interiors can positively impact well-being, productivity, collaboration and retention. A thoughtfully designed breakroom boosts morale, creates a sense of belonging and provides real value to decision-makers.

Flexibility and inclusivity are key to our solutions. By incorporating modular furniture, quiet pods and multipurpose spaces, we create environments that support hybrid working patterns, neurodiverse needs, and
a wide range of working styles.

We stay ahead of interior design trends, ensuring our spaces reflect the latest thinking in wellness, sustainability and technology integration. This gives clients confidence that their investment is both future-proof and aligned with modern breakroom expectations.

To bring ideas to life, we use case studies, project imagery and 3D visualisation, helping clients picture how their spaces could look and feel. This not only builds confidence but also inspires aspiration. Design becomes a true differentiator – helping businesses or schools attract and retain talent.

Above all, our solutions deliver value. We offer a comprehensive turnkey service, managing every stage of a project: from initial design concepts through to building works, flooring, lighting, decorating, electricals, furniture specification and supply, project management and installation. With a single point of contact, we make refurbishment or new fit-outs easier to plan and manage, saving our clients time and money while delivering measurable return on investment.

This complete, end-to-end approach positions us as a trusted, full-service partner.

The Morleys Advantage

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If you have an education project in the pipeline and would like to know more about the benefits of working with Morleys and the service we offer as FF&E design consultants, please get in touch, we would love to hear from you.