Why is a chill room important in the concept of a modern office?

A chill room— a relaxation space in the office—is no longer a luxury; it’s becoming the norm in modern workplaces. More and more companies are realizing that setting aside a space for rest not only improves the team’s well-being but also boosts employee productivity, creativity, and team building.

Although the trend for chill rooms originated in Silicon Valley, these solutions are now also being adopted by smaller companies looking to create attractive and functional workspaces. Depending on the available space and budget, a relaxation area can be modest or extensive—the key is to design it thoughtfully and tailor it to the team’s actual needs.

Chill room what is it?

The trend for relaxation spaces came to us from the West. Companies in Silicon Valley were the pioneers in creating this type of space designed to promote calm in offices. A chill room is a kind of showcase for a company. The better designed and more lavishly equipped it is, the better it reflects the company’s standing. It’s a bit like those famous English lawns. I don’t need to have one, but I do because I can afford it. You can get by without a place to relax, too.

And yet, a chill room at work serves important functions. Not long ago, smoking rooms in companies fulfilled a similar role. Now, hardly anyone smokes, so chillout rooms have taken over that function. It’s generally accepted that when employees have a moment to relax, they bond. That’s obvious. But relaxation areas also serve as places for exchanging ideas. People from different departments with diverse expertise meet there, and sometimes they accidentally come up with unconventional solutions that required combining their experience and knowledge. This is how innovative projects emerge that no one expected. A relaxation room can also be a key factor in attracting new employees.

The possible uses of a relaxation area are virtually limitless. They depend on its size and furnishings—in other words, on how much money the company is willing to spend on it.

Chill room ideas

The richest leisure spaces offer their employees, of course, the aforementioned Silicon Valley companies. There you can find richly equipped gyms or swimming pools, with instructors, of course. Sometimes employees have unlimited access to the services of a massage therapist. One company provides its employees with a recording studio with instruments. And at the New York headquarters of a music streaming company, employees have a DIY workshop at their disposal. But let's come down to earth.

Light

What should a chill room be like? It should have access to daylight. The more, the better. You can meet relaxation zones with a glass roof. Access to daylight is very important for well-being, it regulates the secretion of hormones and neurotransmitters in the brain. And it should be noted that in our latitude, at least half the year we have too little light. If it is not possible to provide a sufficiently bright room, it is worth installing in the rest area led lighting with a warm color, that is, 2700-3300 K. Light of such a color allows you to calm down.

Plants

An important element, also affecting tranquility and allowing the eyes to rest, are plants. These can be, suitable for the office potted plants such as monstera hollow, zamiokulkas or Guinea sansevieria. A very good solution is, increasingly popular green wall.

Furniture and equipment

The relaxation area should, of course, be furnished with comfortable armchairs, ideally arranged in groups of two or three with a small table. In Poland, it’s no longer unusual to find a swing or a hammock. In a separate area, you could set up a nap room—a place for taking a nap.

And of course, we’ll need something for entertainment. Not everyone can relax by sitting and staring at the ceiling or reading a book. This could include board games, PlayStation, or cards. But if there’s room, it’s a good idea to provide games that involve physical activity: foosball, pool, ping pong, or darts. Or maybe there’s even room for a treadmill.

Small businesses with limited space can take advantage of the relaxation area outside the office building. Our serviced office is located in a green neighborhood, and right next door is the BUW, which offers a wide range of recreational and sports activities.