Conference Room Furniture Planning Tips

Why Some Business Experts Prefer a Round Conference Table to a Rectangular One

There are four primary styles of conference tables. At times, you might see some more “exotic” designs, like U-shaped, V-shaped, or horseshoe-shaped tables, but these are rare. The prevalent types of conference room furniture are round, oval, rectangular, and boat-shaped.

Many business change experts, management theorists, operations consultants, and executive psychologists recommend using a round conference table when possible. It is sometimes inconvenient, if not impossible to use this style of meeting room furniture because of room dimensions and architecture. A longer, narrow conference room may prohibit the effective use of a round conference table.

The reason so many knowledgeable people recommend – whether discussing a small or large conference table – the round style: Because there is no “head” or “foot”. This can be important psychologically. Rectangular tables, by definition, have smaller ends than their sides. These naturally form a “head of the table” position, implying superiority in one form or another. Those that want to create this environment should use rectangular or boat-shaped conference tables.

Those wanting to create a more team-oriented atmosphere, allowing equals to work together to achieve goals and objectives should strongly consider using a round conference table. The shape forms a unified “circle” of peers, subconsciously creating a stronger feeling of working together to reach success.

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Large Conference Table Choices and Styles

Most experts recommend Board of Director “ideal” numbers at around seven to eleven members. Yet, many companies have much larger Boards for reasons of necessity or tradition. Obviously, in these instances you need a large conference table (and an even larger conference room). Regardless of your affinity for an “every Board Member is created equal” philosophy, few rooms are large enough to accommodate a large round conference table comfortably seating a Board of Directors.

However, you have some excellent choices to seat a large Board or Committee.

• Rectangular conference tables can be found in all sizes, including those that will comfortably seat large groups. You can find these in almost any style and combination of materials to match all corporate furniture styles.
• Oval conference tables are often a perfect choice. They are appealing with rounded corners instead of the sharp right angles of rectangular conference room furniture. The “softer” corners, along with complementing the often-rounded backs of your conference chairs, allow an extra person or two to sit more comfortably than might be possible with a rectangle.
• Boat-shaped conference tables offer the same “softer” image and comfortable seating for more attendees. A boat-shaped executive conference table bows out in the middle, providing more seating and workspace, while offering a pleasant, professional appearance. The bowed portion often equals the ability of an oval table by allowing an extra portable chair or two to be added comfortably to your larger Board and committee meetings.

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What to Consider When Looking for an Executive Conference Table

Your options of executive conference tables are many. You should, however, consider a number of factors to use your conference room furniture to its most appealing and effective limits.

• Consider an executive conference table that reflects your company's image and branding efforts. For example, if your office furniture designs are all contemporary styles, in lighter woods, traditional meeting room furniture in dark woods, like walnut or mahogany, might hamper your overall office design goals.
• Consider the size and dimensions of your conference room. For instance, a fabulous round conference table that is too large for your room, causing all attendees to be in imminent danger of hitting a wall or a door, is inappropriate and will lose all of its otherwise wonderful appeal. Even if you need a large conference table, you should probably consider rectangular or boat-shaped conference tables to bring your room back into proper perspective.
• Consider the quality you need based on the level of usage your room receives. For example, if you're having budgetary issues and your conference room has only rare or sporadic use, you might consider choosing impressive looking meeting room furniture at a bit lower quality (and corresponding lower prices). Conversely, if your conference room furniture is used often for staff, committee, customer, elected official, and senior management meetings, your executive conference table should be high quality and constructed of materials that will last and require minimum maintenance.

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Luxury Meeting Room Furniture Includes Aluminum Chairs, Too

Aluminum, whether in a brushed or polished finish, is a popular component of contemporary meeting room furniture. You can find all varieties of aluminum chairs in quality levels from inexpensive to very expensive. Your choice of luxury conference chairs and tables usually depends on personal or company preference.

For example, if your style tends toward ultra-contemporary, you can find aluminum conference chairs in 22^nd century designs, some of which are stack chairs, too. The only other consideration with these styles is comfort. If your prime consideration is luxury “look” and not comfort, you'll find a number of good choices. Should the comfort factor also be important, you'll need to be a bit more discerning to find those aluminum-based chairs that are sufficiently padded to deliver a soft seating experience.

You can also find luxury rolling conference chairs in combinations of aluminum, leather, fabric, and mesh materials. Should your conference room often involve training sessions, board or committee meetings of long duration, or audio/visual presentations, rolling, more portable chairs tend to be more comfortable and useful. Check with conference room furniture experts, like BizChair.com, to see wonderful selections of styles and aluminum combinations. You can often match executive conference tables with aluminum accents to your preferred conference chairs to create a luxury meeting room.

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How to Make Your Conference Room Furniture More Appealing and Effective

Effective conference room furniture is typically appealing and tasteful. While one style of executive conference table will not appeal to everyone, there are many options for design and quality of meeting room furniture. Because meeting rooms, by definition, typically have “transient” users, some important features help make conference tables, conference chairs, and other elements both appealing and effective for a meeting room.

• Low maintenance . To keep your conference room furniture looking good and ready for the next meeting, you'll want low maintenance tables, chairs, and accessories.
• Tasteful and professional. Regardless of the typical uses for the room, you should maximize high-level professionalism. Typically, you'll opt to avoid cutting-edge meeting room furniture and install classic, traditional, or contemporary items.
• Avoid over-crowding the room. Few actions can reduce the appeal and efficiency of quality conference tables and chairs more than stuffing otherwise tasteful pieces into a room too small to handle them. Normally, you will lose the natural appeal and reduce the effectiveness of even the best, most professional furnishings.
• Keep the conference room clean. A neat, orderly meeting room will highlight the quality and appearance of your conference chairs and executive conference table.

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Some Good Choices for Meeting Room Furniture

While there are many – some might contend that there are too many, at times – wonderful choices for meeting room furniture, it is important to understand the type of room you have and the type of occupants you will attract. These two components will often indicate, if not almost dictate, the type of conference room furniture you choose. Additionally, you have to be more diligent if your conference room must perform more than one function.

For example, you need to have a breakfast meeting in the morning, a training seminar in the afternoon, and a professional Board meeting in the evening. You will want conference room furniture that is not only versatile, but also tasteful, comfortable, and professional. Whether the breakfast meeting is with the mailroom staff or a U.S. Senator, your meeting room furniture should be tasteful and comfortable. Whether your training seminar involves newly hired staff or senior management, you want your conference tables to be utilitarian and work-friendly. As your space morphs into a Boardroom, your executive conference table must exude professionalism and elegance.

The style of your meeting room furniture is not typically a critical issue; the ability to accomplish the goal of management with the room is paramount. Conference room furniture style might have importance if your company has a program regarding consistency of style (traditional, contemporary, classic, etc.). Better furniture experts, like BizChair.com, can help you select the quality, flexibility, and design for your meeting room furniture that has the “personality” you need to have a successful conference room.

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