The Office Work Horse
When discussing office furniture, the first things that come to mind are desks and chairs. These are the tools we use every day and are the trademark look of any workspace. However, one of the most used pieces of office furniture is rarely talked about -- conference tables can be the heart of any office and are used for a variety of purposes. Not all conference tables are created equally and ensuring you have the one that fits your space is crucial for comfort and office aesthetics.
Dimensions
The size of your conference table is determined based on how much space you have and how many people you want to have sitting around it. A general guideline when determining how many people can sit at a conference table is one person per one foot of table. This means an 8-foot table will comfortably sit 8 people. Keep in mind that you can fit more if you squeeze but it will be less comfortable. When discussing table dimensions, we most commonly refer to length, but width is a factor as well. There are sometimes different width options for the same length table. Larger width tables will help you fill a room and provide more surface area to work with on the tabletop.
Shape
Another factor in determining what table can make the most of an area is the shape of the tabletop. Typical conference tabletops are round, oval, square, and boat shaped. Each shape provides a different feeling, feature, and look. An oval top looks clean and provides more space to walk around the table. This top configuration works well in areas where space is tight. A rectangular tabletop provides more work surface allowing people to spread out more. The downside is it takes up more space in a room. A boat shaped table is a hybrid between the two. It provides more worksurface than an oval table does but less work surface space than a rectangle. All these styles are functional, determining which one will work best for you depends on how much space you have and what look you are trying to achieve.
Bases
In addition to having different top options, conference room tables are also available with several different bases. These bases produce the same amount of support but the look and amount of legroom under the table varies based on design. Slab based tables are simple, functional, provide lots of leg room and are the most sold but you will see many others. Circular drum bases are common as well. These provide a fuller look and can be used to match other round design aspects in a space. There are other bases as well like arch bases and a variety of metal bases. All provide a different look and feel without sacrificing stability.
The number of bases is also something to consider when purchasing a conference table. Smaller 6- and 8-foot tables will have 2 bases, but larger tables will require more bases to be structurally sound. Larger tables like 10- and 12-foot models usually have two-piece tops and a third base is required to support the joining of these two pieces. Conference tables can be made even larger than 12 feet. The number of bases required will vary based on how large the table is and how many pieces the top is constructed with.
Material and Finish
Once you have determined the size, shape, and style of your table the last thing to consider is material and size. Most conference tables are constructed with a basic laminate top. These tops are solid and around 1” thick standard but they can be upgraded. The top thickness and the pressure of the laminates can be improved and upgraded for a price. These upgrades are great for high use tables. Finally, if you want a higher end look you can investigate purchasing a wood veneer conference table. This material isn’t more functional than laminate but provides style and can make a bold aesthetic statement in a room.
Material is important when selecting a conference table, but the finishing color is what will be noticed first. Standard laminates, high pressure laminates, and wood veneer materials are the base but how we finish it matters. You can go with a modern grey look, or a traditional mahogany look on the same table and get a very different feeling from what would otherwise be identical pieces of furniture. Color matching can be simple but can also be disastrous if done poorly. Make sure to spend some time thinking and considering all color options.
Conference tables will always be an important part of the workplace. We use them to plan, to close deals, to touch base, and to provide extra work surface area. Getting the right size, shape, material, and color matter to get the most out of one. When making an investment in a table, consider it an investment in the future and make sure you are getting the features you need. If you have any questions about what table might be best for you, please feel free to reach out to us as sales@furniturewholesalers.com.