Resources

The wide-open space necessary for a great conference room should come outfitted with the best storage options. Keep must-haves for meetings, overflow archives, and audio/video equipment in check with alternative storage options that look great and keep your boardroom clean and organized.

Hidden in Plain Sight

Let home décor trends pave the way for an efficient and visually pleasing conference room. Take advantage of open-air storage, such as bookshelves and hanging shelving, for displaying necessities and decorations. Keeping items out in the open also ensures that binders, catalogs, and supplies are kept tidy and easy to access when necessary.

Store less modular items in wicker baskets on lower shelves to take advantage of this storage space while keeping less attractive items out of sight and out of mind. Leave a little room on the upper shelves for displaying awards and decorations, or even an artificial plant, to keep the space from looking too drab.

Under-the-Table Options

If the space beneath your table features ample legroom, consider keeping less important items in coordinating storage beneath the conference table itself. Narrow file storage can run the length of the table for expansive out-of-the-way accommodations, or a matching pedestal can be rolled away to keep smaller supplies out of sight. 

Surrounding Storage

While purchasing a conference table that suits your space, ensure you have enough room to comfortably make your way around the room. Seek a smaller-sized table to take advantage of wall space at the perimeter. Credenzas can provide a high-impact look at the front of the room and may be valuable for keeping audio/visual equipment out of the way. Consider file storage at the back or sides, particularly options with attractive laminate tops, such as the Ogden Collection, to keep the surface as functional as possible.

Optimize for Tech

With the growing need for technologically-savvy meeting spaces, there's bound to be an overflow of screens, cables, boxes, and conference phones in less-than-ideal places. Mount as many of your electronics as possible, including televisions, projectors, and speakers, while running cables through the ceiling and walls to keep things looking sleek. Keep remote-controlled items inside a credenza with glass doors or open cubbies to eliminate the need to manually control peripherals while taking advantage of screen-sharing capabilities.

 

Office Organization
Conference Rooms

More From NBF

Game of Conference Rooms

Game of Conference Rooms

According to a recent article in The Wall Street Journal, the conference room is no longer just a place to hold meetings and take conference calls—it’s a battleground.

Why? A lack of space. With private office space continuously dwindling, meeting rooms are now being utilized more than ever by more individuals. Many meetings used to take place in private offices, which isn’t an option in most modern-day workplaces where private offices are a thing of the past. 

Instead, the conference room takes the place of the private office. With more individuals using these conference rooms, conflicts come in the form of double booking conference rooms, going over your meeting time slot, and having to boot coworkers and superiors who go over time out of the space. This results in unneeded tensions in the office and confusion—both distractions from work that needs to be done.

So how do we solve the battle over the conference rooms? 

Clearly Define Conference Room Rules and Etiquette

A code of conduct for conference room usage can go a long way to dispel unneeded tensions and distractions. It may feel stilted, especially in a company with a more laid-back culture, but it’s an effective method nonetheless. 

Ensure that everyone knows the constraints and how they are expected to act. You can share this information as a company-wide email or a quick meeting detailing the issues and the new rules established to solve them. For example, making it clear that meetings should not go over the reserved time can help people avoid clashes and force more productive meetings. Constraints can be powerful motivators—knowing they only have a half hour to get everything done can keep people focused during meetings.

Create More Space for Meetings

The most obvious way to solve this problem is to add more conference rooms. In some instances, this may be all that is needed. Perhaps there is an unused office that you can easily convert into a meeting space by adding the appropriate furniture items. 

However, we understand that adding another conference room is not a simple prospect for most businesses. Space comes at a premium, and most of it is probably in use. If that’s the case, it’s time to think creatively about how you can use the space you currently have.

Think About the Office Building Beyond Your Floor 

Some office buildings have general conference rooms available for use. Some even offer these spaces free of charge—you simply have to sign up. Consider if this is an option for your company. 

Many furniture options allow you to create separate office spaces. Using dividers and partitions allows you to section off a designated meeting space that teams can use when the other conference rooms are booked. Dividers don’t have to be boring; LOFTwall creates incredibly stylish ways to divide and section off spaces.

Add Collaborative Functionality to the Breakroom

In most companies, the breakroom is occupied for only a few hours each day. This means it stands almost completely empty for most of the day. Outfitting your breakroom with multipurpose furniture will allow teams to use it as a meeting space without disturbing anyone. Consider multifunctional furniture that includes couches and adjustable height tables. With such products, employees can choose how to best use the furniture to suit their needs, whether collaborating or resting.

 

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.

 

Wire Management for Your Conference Room

Wire Management for Your Conference Room

Keeping cables at bay is an oft-overlooked part of creating a beautiful conference room or meeting space. While it may be an aesthetic choice, it's also a safety measure. Great cable management keeps workspaces clean and pathways clear so you can stay focused on the big ideas. 

Tech-Ready Designs

When purchasing conference tables and credenzas, look for pieces designed with tech in mind. Grommets are a no-brainer for keeping conference phone cords out of sight, allowing power adapters and connectors to run beneath the table instead of out in the open.

Keep your devices powered thanks to tables with integrated plugs and USB ports. Self-storing, out-of-the-way power modules may be built into the surface of the table or along the sides so laptops, phones, and tablets can stay up and running during marathon meetings and brainstorming sessions.

Safe and Streamlined 

Where there are cables, there are outlets, and sometimes they're not in the most convenient places. Avoid trip hazards and enhance workplace safety by keeping grounded cords out of the way and well-organized. If you're planning a renovation or refresh, consider installing additional outlets in areas beneath conference tables or behind credenzas.

On-the-ground cable covers are necessary for keeping data and power cables in line and are designed to be low-profile to reduce trips and falls. Consider adding baseboard or corner raceways to create smooth, out-of-the-way paths to outlets and data ports. When running cables through the walls isn't an option, keeping wires concealed is the second best choice for workplace safety.

Optional Additions 

As your technology needs change and grow, retrofit existing furniture pieces. Quick and inexpensive fixes, such as stick-on cable clips or Velcro closures, are easy to mount to smooth surfaces and offer semi-permanent solutions. Cable sleeves and spirals, as well as under-table baskets, make for easy ways to consolidate cords into a singular, streamlined run.

Use adhesives or screws to mount power strips beneath tables or behind credenzas for easy, expandable power that can accommodate any number of temporary or constant usage needs. Choose power strips rated as surge protectors to protect against unexpected electrical spikes.

Go Wireless 

There's no shortage of programs and apps that allow your computer to communicate with televisions and presentation screens. Skip the HDMI cable and share your screen during presentations or keep your computer on an out-of-the-way credenza and control the screen with a wireless keyboard and mouse.

Keep televisions mounted on the wall to save on counter space and opt to run cables through the wall instead of down it. Take your screen on the go with a mobile monitor cart, allowing you to roll your television out of sight and out of mind when you're going analog.

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