Anyone looking to furnish a conference room is faced with a wide selection of tables, chairs and, above all, advice. However, there is no need to design the office and conference room according to Feng Shui or to implement especially creative suggestions. The room simply needs to suit the company, both in terms of size and furnishings.
- General tips
- Conference room furnishing: These pieces of furniture are needed
- Conference room design: Finding the right colours
- Setting up a conference room: Designing a conference room with the right lighting
- What else belongs in modern conference room equipment?
- Conclusion: Setting up a conference room made easy
General tips
In companies with 10 or more employees, regular meetings on project progress are important. These meetings are best held in a conference room that creates a relaxed atmosphere. Important: Both employees and business partners should feel comfortable in the conference room. It is not uncommon for meetings to end with those involved leaving the room dissatisfied or with no concrete results. On the one hand, this may be due to the topics discussed, but on the other hand it can also be down to the atmosphere being uncomfortable and not very inviting. This is no environment for creative ideas or constructive solutions. Conference room furnishings should convey professionalism on the one hand and, on the other, a mix of relaxation and encouragement for communication. After all, that is exactly the point: to encourage the most intensive communication possible, helping the project or company move forward.
Conference room furnishing: these pieces of furniture are needed
Anyone looking to furnish a conference room should choose equipment that is as flexible as possible. This means that, ideally, the table is extendable and can therefore be adapted for a larger number of participants. The current trend is to set up several conference tables that can be distributed flexibly around the room. Important: If presentations are planned, the tables must not be arranged in such a way that some participants have the presentation behind them. The table itself should not take up more than a third to a maximum of half of the room, although this also depends on the amount of other conference room furniture. If, in addition to the seating and a flipchart, there are also filing cabinets in the room, the conference room table must be smaller to allow enough freedom of movement. It is also possible to add an extra desk for the conference leader or moderator to use.
The conference room furniture should complement each other and create a cohesive overall look. In other words: a conference room table that conveys a refined ambience, and is heavy and conservative, does not suit conference room chairs with a modern or abstract design. Conference room chairs are usually less comfortable than the usual office chair , but they also do not need to make such long periods of sitting comfortable. Stackable chairs are ideal, as they can be stacked neatly in a corner of the room to save space when not in use.
Conference room design: finding the right colours
When furnishing a conference room, it is just like furnishing an office: the colours need to be right! Your company colours provide a useful guide when choosing colours. General colour theory can also help. Warm colours such as yellow are ideal, for example. This creates a sense of wellbeing. Blue accents, on the other hand, give creativity room to flow. The corporate design should be taken into account when designing a conference room, although some colours may need to be used in a more muted way. A room designed entirely in red or pink simply because that colour appears in the company logo would not be particularly inviting. In that case, it would be better to use red or pink accents and otherwise focus on the rest of the colour palette. The furniture for the conference room can also be used as accents.
A word on material choice: wood is the best option for conference room furniture, as it looks elegant and modern at the same time. It is durable and easy to clean. Make sure the table has a smooth surface, and the same applies to the chairs. Velvet seat covers may look good, but they are difficult to clean. They also tend to look worn very quickly. Take your cue from office furniture with a premium standard.
Furnishing a conference room: designing a conference room with the right lighting
As with office lighting, when furnishing a conference room it is important not to underestimate the light. Only rarely is a conference room positioned in such a way that enough daylight always streams in, and in winter even that is not possible. If you want to design a conference room, you should therefore ensure even lighting that is glare-free and flicker-free. The lighting should be adjustable so that only certain areas of the room can be illuminated. Pendant lights that cast indirect light are recommended. They must not hang too low so that they do not get in the way when standing up or during projections. Dimmable and height-adjustable lights are ideal.
What else is part of modern conference room equipment?
When furnishing a conference room, selecting the conference room furniture should be given just as much attention as office furniture Buying. In general, the furniture for the conference room must be tailored to the requirements, particularly in terms of available space, lighting and an inspiring colour scheme. The room should not feel intimidating or tiring and can therefore be made to feel lighter. Plants in the office are often used – so why not in the conference room too? Pictures on the wall can also create a more relaxed atmosphere, and the choice of motifs can be relatively open and personal.
Conference tables need cable ports so that no annoying cables get in the way. In addition, the available technology must function properly at all times, so regular checks are advisable.
These points should also be considered when equipping a conference room technically:
- no reflections from surfaces
- pleasant room climate (air conditioning, humidifier)
- good acoustics
- sound insulation
- hard-wearing carpets
Conclusion: furnishing a conference room made easy
Conference room furnishings still receive far too little attention: there is still a table left over here, a few chairs there, and the room is done? When furnishing a conference room, acoustic, visual and communication-enhancing aspects must be taken into account. Only then is a sense of comfort created in the room that helps with finding solutions during meetings. The conference table and chairs should be coordinated with one another, the lighting may be individual, but must in any case be glare-free. The corporate design should also be taken into account.
