Conference Room Furniture - Tables and Chairs

We suggest a minimum of 36” between the table edge and the nearest piece of conference room furniture or wall to accommodate chairs for your meetings. However, ideally, you’d aim for at least 42” - 48” to allow greater accessibility throughout the space, especially for people with mobility aids. Additionally, it’s important to weigh several factors, when choosing your conference room table’s dimensions, including:

 

• Consider the usable floor space rather than just the room dimensions - Your conference room may be 18’ by 12’, but if there’s a counter or other table along the back wall for refreshments during long meetings, your usable floor space is much smaller. 
  
   
• With few exceptions, conference tables will be rectangular or boat-shaped - These shapes generally accommodate more people and the typical format of a conference room. If you host a lot of presentations, the boat shape may actually be the best option. By having a curve throughout the table, individual heads are more staggered so all participants can easily look towards one end of the conference table without having their vision obscured. 
  
   

• Consider what types of meetings you’ll be having in the given space - For example, easels with presentations require more area than a wall-mounted monitor or TV for slideshows. Give your presenters space to work with in the room.

Solid Wood - Various hardwood species cater to different price points, making them accessible for a range of budgets. Furthermore, wood can effortlessly embody both traditional and contemporary design schemes; if you choose to revamp the conference room three years from now, your wooden table can continue to serve you well. Additionally, solid hardwood is incredibly robust, capable of withstanding regular use while camouflaging minor abrasions.
 

Live Edge Wood - Though this conference table option falls within the solid wood category, its popularity made it too great not to emphasize, separately. A live edge wood table is crafted to retain the natural edge of the tree, showcasing the unique shapes and characteristics of the wood grain. The result is conference room furniture that feels unique and modern without being too attention-seeking. 
 

Glass - Glass and metal materials can create a modern or industrial feel. However, glass has several drawbacks: it can feel cold to the touch, easily shows fingerprints and scratches, and its transparency can make every fidget or bouncing knee more distracting to others.
 

Stone or Marble - We've all heard the expression "hard as a rock," and it certainly applies to marble or granite conference room furniture. These materials are highly resilient to dings, spilled coffee, and other everyday mishaps. However, they come with noteworthy drawbacks: they are expensive, require ongoing maintenance, and are incredibly heavy—making it a challenge to move the table aside for your next in-office mixer!
 

Laminate - The pro and con of laminate is one and the same: it’s cheap. This makes the conference room furniture easier to damage and overall leads to a lackluster first-impression.

Examples of ways you can modify a conference table to meet its users' needs include adding a charging station or discrete drawer storage. 

While these are not all necessary, reflect on who is using the space and how. One of the many benefits of buying a made-to-order conference table from Countryside Amish Furniture is that we’ll gladly incorporate such features into the conference room furniture, regardless of whether it’s offered within the initial design.

• Ability to pivot - Chairs with a swivel base enable users to turn easily, fostering better communication and accessibility to different areas of the conference table
   
• Caster wheel systems - Look for conference room chairs equipped with high-quality casters that ensure smooth movement. This feature is especially beneficial in dynamic environments where frequent comings and goings occur, accommodating punctuality and ensuring easy maneuverability throughout the day.
   
• Adjustable heights - Ensure that your conference room chairs have adjustable height settings to accommodate various users' preferences and ensure ergonomic comfort
   
• Adjustable tension tilt - Chairs with adjustable tension tilt mechanisms allow users to customize the resistance when reclining, providing tailored comfort and support
   
• Overall ergonomic design - Opt for furniture that supports good posture, with features like lumbar support, armrests, and contoured seats to reduce strain during long meetings
   
• Sturdy materials and construction - Ensure that the furniture is well-built and can withstand regular use without wobbling or deteriorating quicklly

At Countryside Amish Furniture, we’re big fans of a carefully chosen fabric, whether it provides a pop of unexpected color or an upbeat pattern to diversify a space. However, when it comes to your conference room chairs, leather is the clear way to go. This is because:

• Easy Maintenance - Leather is easier to clean and maintain compared to cloth, which can stain and wear out more quickly. What’s more, it is less likely to trap odors or allergens like dust and dander, helping to maintain an overall cleanlier conference room
   
• Durability - Leather is more durable and can withstand heavy use, making it a long-lasting choice for high-traffic areas like your conference room
   
• Professional Appearance - Leather offers a sleek, professional look that enhances the aesthetic appeal of the conference room furniture 

When choosing the number of chairs for your conference room, allocate at least 30 inches per person for comfort and mobility. When arranging the furniture around a large table, aim to provide everyone with clear sightlines and access to power sources if needed. Balance seating to avoid overcrowding while maximizing available space.

While the table and chairs form the primary backbone of your conference room, they won’t be the only furniture you need. Incorporating additional pieces like storage units not only minimizes visual clutter but also reduces interruptions by keeping essential items nearby. The specific furniture requirements for your conference room will depend on the office layout and the room’s typical functions. Examples include:

Most conference rooms will benefit from furniture designed to store a broad assortment of supplies, from power cords to supplies to perhaps even glassware and liberations. Ideally, shelves should be concealed and doors should be opaque to minimize any visual distractions or messiness, as seen with many of our solid wood office credenzas. A clear, hutch-free top can double as a refreshment station if you choose to serve coffee or snacks during particularly long meetings.

Nowadays, it’ll be rare to have a meeting that doesn’t require props of some sort, whether that be a whiteboard for collaborations, a screen to display remote participants, or a method of displaying presentation slides for all to see. Consider what these tools are for your particular office and what may be needed to support such functions, whether it’s a centralized data port, a chalkboard, or otherwise.

• Reflect on the size of most meetings and whether the space is too large for the need - When it comes to your conference room, bigger isn’t always better. After all, a table with seating for 30 can feel cold and intimidating to a group of four. If you find that the vast majority of meetings fail to “fill the space,” consider establishing one room as your day-to-day casual conference room and another for your more professional, client-facing interactions.
   
• Be extra mindful not to obstruct areas where people walk - The tall fern may look lovely, but if its leaves risk brushing against people as they navigate to their seats, it has to go. Ideally, your conference room furniture layout should provide ample space for colleagues to move around easily, and even allow someone to slip into a meeting late without causing a disruption.
   
• Keep the number of decorative pieces minimal - There’s nothing wrong with showing your company’s personality throughout the space; in fact, it’s actually encouraged! However, opt for one or two larger art pieces rather than a greater number of smaller pieces. This helps maintain a clean and uncluttered aesthetic that promotes focus and professionalism. 
   
• Be strategic with lighting - Inconsiderate lighting can significantly impact productivity within your conference room. Dim lighting may cause drowsiness and reduce attendees' alertness. Fluorescent lighting can negatively affect mood and has been associated with eye strain and other symptoms. Additionally, flickering lights can be highly distracting and disrupt concentration. Consider using blinds to control natural light, allowing for a more comfortable and productive meeting environment.

Authentic Amish craftsmanship - Countryside Amish Furniture prides itself on authentic Amish craftsmanship, ensuring each piece of conference room furniture is meticulously crafted with traditional techniques passed down through generations. 
 

Option to tailor furniture to your vision - Countryside offers extensive customization options, allowing you to tailor conference room furniture to your specific vision. Whether you need a particular wood species, size, finish, or upholstery, our dedicated team will do our best to fulfill wishes. 
 

Attention to detail for superior quality - Countryside pays meticulous attention to detail from start-to-finish, and our hard work shows! Take, for example, our finishing process of their hardwood conference tables; we use a clear catalyzed conversion varnish that not only enhances the natural beauty of the wood but also provides a durable, protective layer. Comparatively, many less-dedicated woodworkers opt for oil-based finishes that can make the conference table appear more yellow than intended. 
 

Best-in-class materials - Countryside uses only the finest materials for our furniture, including solid wood and full-grain leathers. This commitment to quality materials not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of their conference room furniture but also ensures longevity and durability. 
 

Communicative customer service and customer-first mentality - Countryside Amish Furniture takes the time to provide thorough, responsive customer service. We’re here to answer all questions, provide regular updates on your order, and arrange the delivery day and time that works best for you.