How to Set Up Your Boardroom | Planning Your Space | Source Office Furniture
How to Set Up Your Boardroom
When choosing a boardroom table, it’s important to consider the types of meetings that your company holds, and the team dynamic amongst employees. Here are a few tips to consider when setting up your boardroom:
Consider the size and shape of the room: The size and shape of the boardroom should be able to accommodate the number of people expected to attend meetings, with enough space for everyone to move around comfortably. The shape of the table should allow all attendees to face each other and facilitate easy communication.
Invest in quality furniture and equipment: It's important to invest in comfortable, high-quality chairs and a sturdy table that can withstand frequent use. The boardroom should also be equipped with the latest technology, including audio-visual equipment and conference call systems, to ensure effective communication during meetings.
Ensure good lighting and acoustics: Good lighting and acoustics are important for a productive and comfortable meeting environment. Natural light is preferred, but if not available, make sure the room is well-lit with artificial lighting. Soundproofing or acoustic panels can help reduce background noise and echo.
Provide necessary amenities: The boardroom should be equipped with amenities like a projector, whiteboard, flip chart, and markers to facilitate presentations and brainstorming sessions. It's also important to provide refreshments, such as water, coffee, and tea, to keep attendees comfortable and focused.
Keep the room organized and clutter-free: A cluttered boardroom can be distracting and make it difficult to focus on the task at hand. Make sure the room is organized, with all necessary materials and equipment easily accessible. Keep the decor simple and professional.
Choosing Conference Tables
When choosing furniture for your meeting space, it’s easy to focus on basic requirements: Get a conference table, put some chairs around it, and you’re done. Right?
Well, maybe not.
The purpose of a meeting is often to share ideas and come to consensus, and the shape of your table can have a surprising impact on the outcome.
Round vs. Square Tables
King Arthur’s knights sat at a round table specifically because it had no head; All in attendance were equal. This works great for guests at a wedding, but at a decision-making meeting someone is usually in charge. Choose a table with distinct ends to give your leader a position of authority and you’ll be amazed at how much quicker things get done.
Long and Thin Tables
The best restaurant tables encourage intimate conversation, letting you speak to your dinner companion in relative privacy. The same is true of long, thin conference tables — but that may not be good for your meeting. Choose a wider table to keep the discussion open among the whole group and cut down on distracting side-bar chatter.
U-Shaped Tables
U-shaped tables are common in classroom and training scenarios but they often discourage the kind of connected conversation needed for decision-making. Being far apart means people have to speak louder than they normally would in conversation, and that can make cooperation difficult, especially for soft-spoken personalities. Find a table that suits the size of your group while allowing for comfortable conversation without shouting.
Racetrack Conference Tables
A racetrack-shaped table has rounded ends, resembling a racetrack. This style of conference or boardroom table typically has a wider center section and narrower ends, creating a gradual curve that provides a spacious and comfortable seating arrangement for a group of people.
A racetrack-shaped table has some advantages over more traditionally-shaped boardroom tables such as rectangular or circle shapes. Some of these advantages are:
More seating space: The rounded ends of a racetrack table provides more seating space compared to a rectangular table of the same size. This allows for more people to sit comfortably around the table without squeezing against a sharp, uncomfortable corner.
Better flow of communication: Because of its curved shape, a racetrack table promotes better communication and interaction among people seated around it. With no sharp corners, everyone is able to see and hear each other easily, facilitating discussion, collaboration and teamwork.
More flexibility: The smooth curves of a racetrack table gives more flexibility in how people can sit around it. Without sharp corners and lines to delineate the different sides, the group can be as small or large as necessary and still have a productive discussion.
Aesthetic appeal: A racetrack table looks elegant and stylish, making it a great addition to any room. Its unique shape and design can enhance the overall appearance of a space, adding a touch of sophistication and modernity.
Improved Ergonomics: The oval shape of a racetrack table reduces the distance between people seated around it, allowing for more natural interaction and easier communication. It also helps to reduce eye and neck strain, as participants can see each other without having to turn their heads too much.
Boat-Shaped Tables
A boat-shaped conference table is wider in the centre and tapers as it nears the end, making the ends narrower than the middle. This shape is so named because it resembles the appearance of a boat hull.
A boat-shaped table offers several advantages over other shapes:
More seating space: The boat shape of the table provides more seating space compared to a rectangular table of the same size. This polygon shape provides a larger perimeter to place seats around.
Better flow of communication: Because of its tapered shape, a boat-shaped table promotes better communication and interaction among people seated around it. With no sharp corners, everyone is able to see and hear each other easily, facilitating discussion, collaboration and teamwork.
No head of the table: The boat-shaped table has narrowed ends, and there is no specific "head" of the table. This encourages equality and helps participants to feel like they are all part of the same team, which can be especially useful in collaborative settings.
Aesthetic appeal: The unique shape of a boat-shaped table adds an aesthetic appeal to any room, making it a stylish choice for modern offices and conference rooms.
Improved Ergonomics: The tapered shape of a boat-shaped table reduces the distance between people seated around it, allowing for more natural interaction and easier communication. It also helps to reduce eye and neck strain, as participants can see each other without having to turn their heads too much. Additionally, the wider center section of the table can accommodate presentation equipment, making it a practical choice for meetings that require audiovisual aids.
Update Your Boardroom
Updating, redesigning, or repurposing a boardroom can be a significant undertaking that requires thoughtful consideration. Our office space planning experts offer consultations to help design the new boardroom that works for your business. Contact us today to set up your personalized consultation.