Wire Management for Your Conference Room

The Ultimate Guide to Conference Room Seating

Outfitting your conference room with the right table is one thing, but finding the best chairs for your meeting space is another matter entirely. When selecting conference chairs for your meeting rooms, consider how many people you want the room to accommodate and what type of look and feel you want it to convey. Then check out our comprehensive guide to conference chairs. 

How Many Conference Chairs Do I Need?

Before you start thinking about conference chairs, you should have already selected your conference table. 

The number of chairs you'll be able to fit in your meeting room will largely depend on the size of the conference table. A good rule of thumb is that the width of the table in feet is also the number of chairs that can be comfortably seated around it. So, for example, a 4-foot-wide table can seat 4, and a 20-foot-wide table can seat 20.

Space permitting, it's also a good idea to add side chairs against some of the walls in your conference room. This will provide some overflow seating for individuals in larger meetings when there's not enough space around the conference table. We recommend leaving at least 3 feet of walkway space around your conference table to allow for comfortable movement around the room.

What Type of Conference Chairs Do I Need?

Conference chairs have a look that’s similar to desk and task chairs. So what’s the difference? In truth, most desk chairs can also be used as conference chairs and vice versa, but there are some distinguishing features. A task-style seating option is typically referred to as a conference chair if it has fixed arms and minimal ergonomic adjustments. The fixed arms provide support to users while minimizing the opportunity for causing distractions during meetings. Likewise, the lack of ergonomic adjustments prevents users from fiddling with knobs and handles while meetings are in session. Most conference chairs have only an adjustment for seat height. 

Big and tall chairs are sometimes used in conference rooms to support big and tall users. These are conference chairs that are rated to support 300 pounds or more.

Petite chairs are not often used in conference rooms, but they certainly can be. Petite chairs have a shorter cylinder and a smaller seat pan to support users of a shorter stature.

Side chairs or guest chairs are often added to the outside walls of a conference room to serve as overflow seating when a meeting is too large to seat everyone around the table.

Stools are often used in conference rooms with a standing or adjustable height conference table. The adjustable height stool allows some members to stand while others are sitting, ensuring everyone can remain comfortable during the conversation. 

Are There Any Special Features I Should Look for?

Stacking chairs are, as the name suggests, chairs that can stack on top of one another. Because you can stack them easily for compact storage, this type of seating is ideal when extra chairs need to be kept nearby for occasional use.

Nesting chairs are similar to stacking chairs, but they nest into one another rather than stack on top of one another. Nesting chairs are also great when compact storage is needed, and they are usually mobile so you can transport multiple chairs simultaneously.

Tablet arm chairs are often used as side chairs in conference rooms because they provide a writing surface for meeting members not seated around the conference table. 

What Type of Chair Upholstery Should I Choose?

Fabric upholstery is a woven material that helps give furniture a homelike look and feel. Fabric is available in a huge range of colors and patterns, making it an ideal option for conference rooms going for a very specific look.

Genuine leather upholstery is either full-grain or top-grain genuine animal hide. Full-grain leather shows its grain and natural imperfections and is as close to its natural state as possible. Top-grain leather is the most common type of genuine leather upholstery; it’s thinner and more pliable than full-grain options. Top-grain leather is sanded to remove imperfections, giving it a more polished appearance. 

Faux leather and vinyl upholstery are man-made alternatives to genuine leather. Faux leather and vinyl are made of either polyurethane (PU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), both of which give the look of leather at a lower cost with lower maintenance.

Mesh is a textile that provides more breathability than any other type of upholstery. Mesh is durable, but it can be trickier to clean due to its porous design.

What Different Seat Types Are Available?

Pocketed coil systems are made up of a number of individual pocketed coils that help evenly distribute weight for user comfort. The coils are usually outfitted with a layer of foam on the top and bottom, with the top layer being less dense to create a cushioned feel.

Fabricated foam is one of the most common materials found on upholstered office chairs. This type of foam varies in density; the denser the foam, the more firm it will feel.

Molded foam is made from a liquid foam material poured into a mold—hence the name. This type of foam offers more consistent support and can hold its shape for longer than fabricated foam. This allows for more contour and a more comfortable feel for the users.

Memory foam has a unique chemical makeup that allows the seat to adjust to your individual body temperature. The seats, therefore, retain more heat than others, allowing them to mold their shape as the user moves. Memory foam seats are well known for providing superior customized support. In addition, this material is hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites.

TEMPUR® material is a specific type of material made by Tempur-Pedic® and designed to provide a superior level of comfort. This type of material is specially designed to conform to your body and relieve pressure points.

The Complete Guide to Conference Tables

Almost every office needs a conference table—a hub for bright, new ideas and a space to facilitate a meeting of the minds. Some of the best ideas form around conference tables, but purchasing this piece of furniture is no small task. You must consider several factors before choosing a meeting table for your conference room, and we’re breaking down everything you need to know.

Shapes

Round conference tables are compact options, which makes them perfect for small meeting rooms and tight spaces such as private offices and casual common areas.

 

Square conference tables are also ideal for smaller meeting areas but provide a little more work surface than round tables. Depending on the style of the table legs, multiple square tables may be pushed up against one another to create larger, rectangular conference tables, such as that found in our NBF Signature Series Horizons collection.

Rectangular conference tables are best for larger, formal conference rooms and are available in a wide range of sizes to suit the dimensions of your meeting space.

Racetrack conference tables are similar to rectangular options, but they are rounded on each end to provide greater seating capacity and easier movement.

Boat-Shaped conference tables are designed to provide clear sight lines for all meeting participants. With a wider middle, this type of table makes presentations easy for everyone to see without needing to strain to look around someone’s head.

Seating Capacity

If you hope to accommodate a certain number of people around your table, keep this general rule in mind: The length of the table measured in feet is also the number of people the table can accommodate. For example, a 6-foot-long table can accommodate 6 people, and a 20-foot-long table can accommodate 20 people. There are some exceptions to this rule, so be sure to consult an expert if you’re unsure. Read our guide to conference room seating to determine what type of chairs will work best in your meeting space.

Dimensions

The size of your room will be a limiting factor when selecting your new table. As a general rule, allow at least 3 feet of space around the table’s perimeter to serve as a safe and comfortable walkway. 

For example, if you have a 12’ x 12’ room, subtracting a 3-foot walkway around the room gives you a 6’ x 6’ table if there is no other furniture in the room. If you have furniture such as bookcases and storage cabinets along the walls of your conference room, be sure you’re measuring that 3-foot-wide walkway from the table to the nearest piece of furniture, not from the table to the wall.

Styles

Standing height and adjustable height conference tables allow you to take a stand for your health. These options bring more flexibility into the conference room and also provide the opportunity to incorporate more movement into everyone’s work day.  

 

Modern conference tables are simple and sleek. They create a polished look that comes from straight, clean lines and the idea that less is more. A modern conference room is often desirable for companies focused on innovation and the cutting edge.

Transitional conference tables are varied and versatile. This style is a happy medium, providing a tasteful combination of modern and traditional that is ideal for almost any office.

Traditional style conference tables are tried and true. Tables in this timeless style include crown molding, picture frame details, and other elegant touches. Traditional conference furniture can help create an environment of formality that’s often desired in professional settings.

 

The Complete Guide to Office Décor

The right office décor can make or break the look of any room in your home or office. To learn what type of décor you should incorporate into your space, read this comprehensive guide to office décor.

Wall art comes in all sizes and styles to complement the look of your workspace. Whether shabby chic or elegantly traditional, the options are endless, and you’re sure to find something that coordinates well with your workspace. Choose from gallery-wrapped canvas paintings, motivational posters, and framed prints. No matter what you choose, you’ll love how it instantly uplifts the mood in the room.

 

Desktop accessories include all those little items you use to keep your desk neat and organized. From letter trays and desk pads to photo frames and desktop décor, these items make it easy to keep your workspace living up to its full potential. These desktop accessories have the functionality to get the job done, and they’re also available in styles that will make your desk look better.

Artificial plants can be real mood boosters in an office setting, producing similar effects as real plants. Even nature photography will do! When images of greenery and plant life are present in the workplace, worker productivity increases.  

Accent chairs and occasional tables may be functional office furniture, but they’re also décor. These stylish additions may not always be necessary, but they look great. Choose from a huge range of styles and sizes to offer guests a stylish seat in your private office or waiting room.

Accent lighting also serves multiple purposes. These pieces of décor help illuminate a room, but they also add a little character.  

Clocks are a timeless trend that has stuck around despite the rise in cell phones and smartwatches. Whether a huge wall clock or a small desk clock, these elements of décor are true statement pieces, designed to capture attention and tell time.

Mirrors look great in almost every room when used correctly. From small sunburst mirrors that bring a pop of shine to huge statement mirrors that help a room look bigger, there are many options. Your only task is figuring out which option you like best!

Area rugs make great additions to a homelike private office or reception area. Available in many colors, patterns, and styles, the right area rug can help define a space.

Decorative boards go above and beyond your basic steel frame whiteboard. Whether it’s a colored glass board, a wood frame whiteboard, or a steel frame blackboard, these simple elements turn your everyday conference accessory into a piece of office décor you can be proud of.