A Wellness Room of One’s Own
- Choose a discrete, out-of-the-way location where employees won’t feel any pressure or judgment when they need to use the wellness room. Size-wise, a room no smaller than 9×9′ is ideal, so long as it can accommodate the furniture you choose for the space.
- Wellness rooms are for both physical and mental health, so they should remain somewhat sterile and easy-to-clean while inspiring calm and comfort. Ensure that all surfaces can be wiped down and that smaller items can be disposed of and replaced to promote cleanliness. Choose laminates surfaces and polyurethane fabrics that deviate from clinical and hospital-like looks without sacrificing function.
- At minimum, every wellness room should include a recliner, however an ideal space will include a longer sofa or bench that allows employees to lay down. A simple end table or coffee table will suffice, providing space for a glass of water or health and wellness-focused magazines that can be easily replaced as they become weathered and germ-filled. Consider adding a second, smaller chair, just in case an employee would like a supportive colleague or friend in the room with them.
- Indirect lighting sources are key and natural light should be avoided or completely blocked, especially as migraines and photo-sensitivity-causing headaches are a primary use of wellness rooms. Total control of lighting is incredibly important so use upward-facing light fixtures or gentle lamps for as-needed lighting with every source controlled by dimmer switches.
- Paint color and artwork sets the tone for the space. Neutral tones that aren’t too dark and aren’t too light should be used; a taupe or bluish-gray is ideal. Avoid yellows and greens, as they can make people feel queasy, and red, as it inspires anger and increased energy. Artwork should be simple, serene, and relaxing.
- Provide amenities, when possible, and consider the many small things that can make a difference during a difficult time. Tissues, hand sanitizer, water bottles, and a small first aid kit are necessities. An emergency phone, and neutral snacks provide added benefit as well. Ensure that your trash can has a closed lid, just in case an employee becomes particularly nauseous.
- Nobody can anticipate a sudden illness or crisis, so these rooms should not be available to book on a shared calendar. While it is also important to put a discrete “occupied” indicator on the outside of the door, they should not lock, and employees should be encouraged to tell a trusted coworker to check up on them if they’re gone for a significant amount of time.
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A Holistic Space for New Mothers
Today, mothers are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. workforce and one-third of working mothers return to their jobs within three months of the birth of their child. These new mothers face postpartum responsibilities that extend beyond maternity leave and the right accommodations can make the transition to work comfortable and easy, even when life at home becomes more hectic. While it is often overlooked, office design becomes more important than ever for breastfeeding and pumping moms who need time and space to themselves.
Beyond corporate common courtesy, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires the accommodation of breastfeeding mothers in the workplace. Furthermore, state laws often ensure greater accommodations in private and public spaces, however it is the FLSA that champions mother’s rights at work. Under this law, employers are simply required to provide both a “reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk,” as well as a space “shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public,” so long as it is not a bathroom. These are reasonable and simple tenets, though they leave a lot of room for interpretation from decision makers.
But more companies are choosing to go above and beyond these standards to create dedicated mother’s rooms that emphasize comfort and discretion. Though they are somewhat similar to wellness rooms, these lactation spaces are often bookable and designed to be completely private while in use. Their added amenities can be anywhere between subtle and extravagant:
I hope that you enjoyed reading about wellness spaces in the office environment. If you have any questions, please leave me a comment below.
In addition to being a Philadelphia residential Interior Designer, I also design boutique hotels, fitness centers, office spaces, multi family development projects, other commercial spaces such as retail spaces, and the senior living community throughout the tri state area. We work here in Philadelphia, the main line, and even Nationally! If you enjoyed reading this piece please leave a comment and let us know. AND, let's get social. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and connect on LinkedIn!
About our Founder
Tina Delia, a native of Ocean County, NJ, current resident of Philadelphia, is the Founder and Principal Interior Designer of Delia Designs. For the past nine years, Tina has been steadfast in her vision and continues to develop herself personally and professionally. She is dedicated to excellence and insistence on forward thinking design.
At the forefront of her designs is the idea that our spaces have the ability to transform our lives. She is looking to move us, inspire us to see, think and create freely. After all, it's not only about creating beautiful spaces, it's about touching the lives of the people who live, work and walk through those spaces.
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