How To Pick the Right Custom Conference Table for Your Space

The people who help run a business constantly make important decisions that could affect it. Budgeting, hiring, and making organizational decisions are all critical to ensuring everything runs smoothly. Many of these decisions are discussed with some of the most important people in your organization. Where do people come together to make these decisions? More importantly, where do you meet the clients and customers that make your business possible? Most of the time, major decisions and big transactions are made at the conference table.

Despite the fact that a meeting table plays a big role in every business, very few people put much thought into this table when buying it. Sure, a table doesn’t make any of the decisions easier, but your conference table is an opportunity to make a statement for your brand and to your valued clients. If it’s time for your company to buy a new custom conference table, then you’ll need to know how to pick the right table for your office.

CONSIDER HOW MUCH SPACE YOU NEED

What could be worse than hosting a meeting in a space that you’re ashamed to share, or worse yet doesn’t comfortably fit the people you need to host? Start by determining the table space you need to ensure it will fit everyone that will help make company-wide decisions.

Build it bigger. It’s recommended to size up your conference table for your biggest gatherings and future growth. For example, if your common meeting committee has 4-6 people, plan space around the table for at least 8 chairs. It’s never a bad idea to leave extra space, especially if your company has been growing quickly in the last few years.

In addition to the size of the group you plan to host, consider the size of your chairs. Conference table chairs and office chairs tend to run wider than standard chairs so you should plan for at least 30” per person to be comfortable with some elbow room. A larger table with ample work space ensures everyone has room to spread out their computer and notepad to work efficiently.

LOOK AT THE SPACE YOU HAVE

While it might seem like your best choice is to simply buy the largest table possible, this certainly isn’t the case. You also need to consider the size of the room you plan to set it up in. If you don’t have any rooms large enough to fit the table and chairs comfortably, you’ll need to downsize it a bit.

Even if all the furniture fits, that doesn’t mean you have the correct size. You need to ensure there’s enough room for people to get to their seats. A common and workable conference table width is 40” which offers a comfortable work space. Your conference table should also be at least 40” from any wall or other furniture. This allows chairs to comfortably pull out yet other meeting attendees can still pass by. Finally, consider if your room needs additional space where presenters can stand and set up materials.

Designing the room with a small credenza or technology hub on one wall creates a flexible room. This creates a natural space for a TV or display to hang, it provides a catch all for your conference room essentials, and can be utilized as a display space or coffee bar too. The bottom line here is that the size of the room is just as important as the size of the table itself.

DECIDE ON THE DESIGN YOU WANT

Of course, these considerations haven’t even accounted for the design you want to use just yet. When people hear the term “conference table,” they tend to think about a common rectangular design. While this type works well, there are plenty of other options available.

Both oval and round conference tables are great choices for promoting collaboration between people since they can see each other better. Common rectangle or square shapes can create a head of the table, while round shapes help make all participants feel equal. On the other hand, a U-shaped table will work well if you have many presenters during your meetings. Since they’ll be able to stand in the middle of the room, everyone will have a direct line of sight to the presenter.

PICKING OUT A MATCHING STYLE

While the design is critically important, you also need to take the time to consider the style of your conference table. The table’s look can greatly influence the people sitting at it. Since this is where the crucial decisions happen, you want your table to exude that feeling. Your table needs to make a statement, invite conversation, and be a visual asset to your brand. If it’s wobbly and run of the mill – the table style can set a tone for the meeting’s expectations.

Your staff likely won’t be the only ones looking at your table, it is important to consider who else will use the space. There’s a good chance you’ll have clients or other businesses come into your office from time to time, and the conference room is where you shake hands and where deals are done. That means you need a table that will make a statement. The table’s style should tell prospective clients and customers about your business and you should be proud to bring people there!

Fortunately, many styles of tables exist. You can go with a heavy industrial conference table look if that fits your company, or refined modern wood table with clean lines. Another option is rustic tables with lots of character, all of which can be the centerpieces of conference rooms. Regardless of the style, for the most durability and to ensure your investment is a long term asset, we recommend a solid hardwood conference table.

KNOW YOUR BUDGET

Don’t worry. We didn’t forget the most vital part of picking out the right conference table for your office space: making it fit your budget. Everyone knows that conference tables can get expensive, but that’s due to their sheer size. They require lots of materials to construct, so parts alone will cost a lot. After gathering the materials, the manufacturer needs to expertly build it, creating a table that will last your company for years to come.

Despite that, it’s understandable that you don’t want to spend too much on a table, which is why you need to determine your budget. It’s best to explore the size and options you need first and then research price ranges. From there you can decide your own budget and explore your options.

FIND A DESIGNER AND BUILDER THAT CREATE QUALITY TABLES

However, price means nothing if you don’t receive a quality product in return. That’s why you need to find a trustworthy manufacturer to provide you with a table that will be worth your money. At Grain Designs, we work with you to create a custom wood conference table that will fit your needs, style, and budget. We understand that this piece of office furniture will be one of the most important purchases for your company, so we’ll make sure it perfectly fulfills all your requirements..