Offices

Breakout Area Small Space Design for Offices

Keep one clear route and make infrequent activities share a footprint. Measure what happens when the room is occupied.

Explore the ideas
Open dining and living area separated by a wood partition
Shared-space inspiration: distinguish dining and lounge zones with a light divider.

Plan in this order

  1. Remove items used elsewhere and list what still needs to fit in the room.
  2. Put frequent-use storage against a fixed edge and test whether shallow storage works there.
  3. Tape the occupied footprint of the largest movable item, including the user and the space needed to operate it.
Worked example

A small family dining area doubles as a homework spot, and the chairs block the kitchen route when pulled out.

Use a compact table with a bench on the wall side and chairs only where pullback is needed. Tape the occupied setup and test both a meal and a schoolwork session.

How to test it

Rehearse the busiest moment with everything open or pulled out. If the route disappears, change the furniture size or position.

Apply it to this space
Layout
Place soft seating near team areas but buffer it from focus desks with storage or a change in flooring.
Detail
Combine wipeable tables with comfortable upholstery and a separate local light switch.
Trade-off
A central lounge is easy to reach but spreads conversation noise widely.
  • Listen from the nearest desk
  • Check that furniture leaves a direct route through
Two lounge chairs and a sofa arranged around a shared coffee table
Gathering inspiration: varied seats oriented toward a shared center.

The Elixir portfolio

Details worth a closer look

Photographs for design inspiration
Entry corridor opening toward a dining area with a glass-front cabinet
Arrival inspiration: keep the route into a shared dining space legible.
Dining area with a six-seat table and pendant light
Dining inspiration: a central table beneath focused pendant lighting.

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