The Ultimate Guide to Conference Room Seating

How do I set up a training room that’s functional and beautiful? Although different offices will have specific needs for their training rooms, every training space should include certain elements. 

Tables

Training room tables are the staple of any good training room, but the type of table used will vary from one room to the next.

Folding tables are ideal for training spaces that accommodate meetings of various sizes. Extra folding tables can be easily stored in a nearby closet and brought out only when needed.

Flip-top tables have a tabletop that flips up, allowing multiple tables to nest together. This type of table usually has casters so you can roll multiple tables into and out of storage at a time.

Adjustable height training tables are great options for several reasons. First, users may stand at them, which can fend off some of the negative side effects of sitting all day. Second, adjustable height training tables can be set up in a stadium-style configuration so that the second row is taller than the first row and the third row is taller than the second. This ensures that everyone in the room can see the presenter.

Chairs

Training room chairs should complement the type of tables you have in the space.

Nesting chairs, like flip-top nesting tables, have a seat that flips up against the back of the chair. This way, multiple chairs can be nested for easy transport and storage.

Stacking chairs are often used in a training setting because they can be stacked on top of one another in the corner of a room and pulled out as needed.

Instructor Needs

Training room desks are not entirely needed in a training room setting, but they may be helpful for presenters who need a little extra work surface to get the job done. Training desks are usually simple and feature a basic work surface without storage. Some training rooms may use a laptop cart instead.

Lecterns are necessary in most training rooms because they provide a space for the lecturer to stand while providing a place for paperwork and other supplies. Podiums may be as simple as a small paper holder placed on top of a table or as complicated as a large unit with tons of storage.

AV carts are mobile audiovisual stands that house equipment like projectors, laptops, and televisions. Due to the technical nature of sharing information in a group setting, your training room will likely need at least 1 AV cart.

Whiteboards and projectors are almost always used in training room settings. The size of your whiteboard will depend on the size of your training room, but your presenters will want something to write on and project on to relay information to the group.

Aesthetics

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.

Shopping for a new area rug for your office can be daunting. With so many options to choose from, how do you decide? When it comes to the workplace, there’s more to consider than aesthetics. Depending on which room it’s for, you may also need a rug that’s durable, easy to clean, and of a specific size. To help you make the right choice, we’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to area rugs.

Size

Size is the first factor to consider for most spaces. In some rooms, the size of an area rug depends on style preference; in others, it is essential for the functionality of the space. Standard rug shapes and sizes include:

Rectangle:

• 2’x3’

• 4’x6’

• 5’x8’

• 6’x9’

• 8’x10’

• 9’x12’

• 12’x14’

Square:

• 4’x4’

• 6’x6’

• 8’x8’

Circle:

• 4’ diameter

• 6’ diameter

• 8’ diameter

So which size should you choose for your space? That depends on the room and what you hope to achieve. Let’s break it down by room.

For a private office in a home or corporate space, the general rule of thumb is that your area rug should be 1–2 feet shorter than the shortest wall in the room. Most importantly, you want to ensure that the area rug is large enough to contain your entire desk and task chair. 

Not only will this give your workspace a unified appearance, but it also has practical applications—you don’t want your chair to snag on the edge of the rug when rolling about the space. Regardless, you may want to order carpet casters for your office chair if you are currently using hard floor casters. 

If you’re adding a rug to the main seating area of your waiting room, be careful about the size you choose. The rug should extend beyond the coffee table and under all of the legs or at least the first set of legs of your sofas and chairs, just like in a home living room. If you select a rug that is too small or too large, it will not appear proportionate to the rest of the room. Allow around 5” to 20” of bare floor between your rug and the wall.

Entryway rugs and mats are excellent tools for directing traffic and greeting guests with a touch of style. For a small entryway, try a square or round rug in the middle of the walk-in area. For a long entryway, try a runner mat or rug in the middle of the space. In both instances, the rug should fill up most of the space but not all of it, leaving equal amounts of space on either side of the rug.

Shape

As mentioned above, rugs come in a variety of shapes, including the following:

• Rectangular rugs are the most common shape and can work in almost any setting. These rugs also come in the widest range of sizes.

• Round rugs are most commonly found in entryways but can work well in other rooms when grouping furniture.

• Square rugs are less common than rectangular ones but can effectively accent end tables and other pieces of furniture.

• Runner rugs are ideal for long entryways and can help visitors find their way to your office.

Materials

The material your area rug is made of greatly impacts how long it lasts, which can make a big difference depending on the rug’s location. Common materials include:

• Polypropylene

• Wool

• Natural Fiber

• Bamboo

Polypropylene rugs are affordable, comfortable, and durable. This material is highly resistant to staining and fading. Woolite or a compatible carpet cleaner are recommended for cleaning. Apply the cleaning solution with a soft bristle brush, rinse with water, and extract with a wet vac. The rug should then be air-dried or dried with a hair dryer at a low temperature.

Wool rugs are great at repelling water and stains, and they are soft to the touch. These are great options for high-traffic areas due to their resistance to stains, but be aware that they tend to shed. Wool rugs can be cleaned in the same manner as polypropylene rugs.

Natural fiber rugs such as jute, sisal, and seagrass are eco-friendly and very strong. They don’t have the plush feel of polypropylene rugs, but you can rest assured they’ll last a long time. You can easily clean these rugs with a vacuum cleaner—no beating required!

Bamboo mats have a sleek surface that’s easy to roll an office chair over. These durable options give the look of natural wood flooring without the high cost but can be tricky to clean. Contact the manufacturer for the best cleaning techniques for your specific bamboo mat.

Textures

The way a rug is woven is what makes it soft or hard to the touch. There are a few standard rug textures, including:

• Hand-knotted

• Hand-tufted

• Flat-weave

• Machine-made

Hand-knotted rugs are made of yarn knotted around columns of thread. The end of these knots creates the pile, and the fringes on the edges of a knotted rug are crucial to its construction. These durable rugs can last more than 20 years and generally do not shed, but you'll pay a higher cost for that level of handcrafted durability.

Hand-tufted rugs are hooked and tufted by hand. During the weaving process, an artisan wraps yarn through a canvas backing that is then protected by a layer of latex and a second backing that anchors the stitches. This type of rug can shed quite a bit and typically lasts about 3 to 10 years.

Flat-weave rugs are made of yarn woven directly on a loom. This produces an extremely tight, long-lasting weave that sheds very little and can last more than 20 years when properly cared for. Flat-weave rugs do not have a backing, so we recommend using a rug pad underneath to prevent slipping and sliding.

Machine-made rugs are woven by computer-controlled machines. Yarn is inserted into a thin mesh backing, and latex is then applied to secure and protect the fibers. This type of rug comes at the lowest cost, produces a low to medium amount of shedding, and typically lasts about 3 to 10 years.

Rug Pads

Rug pads are essential to extending the life of your rug and flooring, no matter where the rug is used. Rubber rug pads will also prevent the rug from slipping, which is essential to the safety of employees and guests alike.