Conference rooms can be used for many purposes, from executive meetings to video calls. It is a place where people tend to congregate to connect, collaborate and communicate. When conference room planning, it is important to think about furniture and room layout, as these will have a direct impact upon safety and productivity. With this in mind, let’s take a look at some top tips for conference room furniture planning, to help you get it right first time.
Step 1: Make a plan
Ahead of buying any meeting room furniture, it is important to plan around your needs. Give some thought to:
- Who will be using the space? Will it be for internal use only, or will you be hiring the conference room out?
- How many people will the conference room furniture need to accommodate? Consider social distancing in this respect, as you will likely be planning around a lower room capacity.
- How will the space be used? For example, telephone or video conferencing, one-to-one meetings, or training? You may for example need to purchase furniture for conference room use that accommodates specialist audio visual equipment, or a smart board.
- Will the layout stay as it is permanently, or will it need to be flexible to cater for different need? If you are likely to be moving things around regularly, it may be wise to choose conference room furniture that is lightweight, or mounted on casters.
- Will you need to allow for things like storage, food and drink serving facilities or presentation equipment? If space is at a premium in your conference room, then functional furniture may be the way forward.
Taking time to think about your needs and draw up a conference room floor plan will help you make the right choices in meeting room furniture from the outset.
Step 2: Assess your conference room table requirements
Every meeting room needs at least one conference room table, although some lend themselves to multiple tables. Take some time to peruse ideas and really think about what you might need. Some examples of meeting room tables include:
Modular conference tables – these allow you to create the ideal layout that suits your conferencing needs perfectly. Go for classroom style, hollow rectangle or a U or V-shaped setup depending on your individual requirements, and vary it from meeting to meeting.
Collaborative meeting room tables – specifically designed for conference calls and tem meetings, these dynamic, interactive tables accommodate audio and visual technology and meet all today’s modern conferencing demands.
Stylish individual meeting tables – if you are looking to create an impactful first impression, and you only need space for one-to-one sessions, then an elegantly designed meeting table will make the grade.
Desk-boards – these are multi-functional desks which allow users to sit or stand. They can be flipped over and used as a handy whiteboard too for presentations. Write down ideas on your desk, then flip up and show the room what you’ve been thinking!
Also, be sure to consider these important factors when choosing a conference table:
- Cable management – you’ll need to be able to keep any technology cables nice and tidy
- Whether matching storage is available – streamlining the look of your furniture is vital
- Flexibility – will you need to adapt your conference room furniture to changing needs?
Step 3: Think carefully about conference room seating
When you are conference room planning, due consideration must always be given to seating.
First things first, it will need to be comfortable and durable. This will ensure everyone stays focused and productive during meetings, rather than getting distracted.
There is ample choice when it comes to meeting room chairs. One of the biggest considerations will be whether the chairs are static or swivel. This will largely depend upon the conference room floor plan and how the room will be used. If it will mostly be for training purposes, static chairs arranged in a theatre style layout will probably work best.
But for collaborative team meetings, you’ll probably benefit more from swivel chairs to aid engagement amongst colleagues. For the ultimate in flexibility, why not take a look at the Miro multiple combination meeting chair with its range of interchangeable bases?
Ergonomic chairs that are adjustable are also a good option if your budget allows, as they will be adaptable for different users.
Another important consideration in the age of the pandemic is chair covering. Bear in mind that fabric will be harder to disinfect between meetings, so instead opt for vinyl or leather to help keep staff safe.
Premium conference room furniture solutions from ADD office
No matter what conference room furniture solutions you are considering, ADD office has all your needs covered. We offer an extensive range of high quality meeting room furniture, with something to suit every taste and requirement.
Please feel free to contact our expert team for bespoke advice on fitting out your conference room so that it meets your individual needs.
