To me, a gap isn't a bad thing. I said "unexplained gap". It's just one of many signals, not a show-stopper. I'll ask about it, and if I'm told "I did nothing" then that's not a good signal.
I've also been unemployed for about year (wife was ill), but I used that time productively and took it as an opportunity to retrain.
Having a 'break' shouldn't need to involve working in the area you are having a break from in order not to look bad.
I would be more suspicious of someone who doesn't know how to have a break. That would be my red flag... "so you spent your year off in front of a computer?"..."um, yeh, I am self-motivated". Red Flag blows in wind.
I've also been unemployed for about year (wife was ill), but I used that time productively and took it as an opportunity to retrain.
I look for someone who's self-motivated.