Last week, we took a look at what the “Digital Natives” in Generation Y expect from a user-friendly workspace. This week, we’ll put together a sample collection for the modern office environment—the all-important lounge area. Don’t let the name fool you. Serious work can be performed here if the furnishings support the way younger employees get things done.

Swooping in to Save the Workday

From Herman Miller’s Brian Kane comes a curvaceous collection of lounge seating options that fits the relaxed attitude of Gen Y workers. He designed the Swoop sofas and chairs with sweeping arms and backs to fit the way young people actually use furniture. According to Kane, they “don’t really sit in a chair. They sprawl. They lie. They perch. With their MP3 players and computers, they can be totally tuned out in a busy environment as long as they’re comfortable.” Youthful office workers can swing their legs over the side or fling an arm across the back of a swoop chair to find their own most comfortable position.

Gather Around the Campfire

The Steelcase Personal Table (from the Campfire Collection by Turnstone) is a perfect accessory for the business lounge. Its sturdy “C” shape allows workers to keep their technology close. Rather than hunching over a laptop or tablet in their lap or leaning forward to operate a device on a coffee table, employees can pull a up a personal table at just the right distance for maximum comfort. At less than 14 pounds, this mini-desk is portable enough to be repositioned with ease. Don’t let the photo fool you, the table is supposed to be on its side like that.

Indoor/Outdoor Work Café

If there’s any way to locate the lounge near a patio or other outdoor area, you can take the idea of al fresco work to a whole new level. The Pensi Table from Knoll features an anodized aluminum base and is available with a metallic laminate top that doesn’t get too hot in the sun. It’s available in round and square styles and in sizes that accommodate solo or duo projects all the way up to teams of half a dozen employees working together. Pair this table with the Twist stools or stackable Toledo chairs so workers can create their own impromptu indoor or outdoor meetings with ease and style.

What other office furniture pieces would you launch in your “Digital Native” work lounge? Share your ideas in the comments.