Conference Room Furniture: What You Need To Know

Conference Room Furniture
What You Need to Know

©2013 Office Furniture NOW!
Published December
OfficeFurnitureNOW.com experts@OfficeFurnitureNOW.com
Austin 512.448.3769 ● San Antonio 210.849.8330 ● National Toll-Free 888.910.3769
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©2013 Office Furniture NOW!
Table of Contents
Conference Room Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Used Conference Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Conference Table Sizes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Conference Table Shapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Conference Tables Seating Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Surface Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Laminate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Wood …………………………………………………… 6
Stone …………………………………………………… 6
Power and/or Data Ports ………………………………… 8
Grommets & Wire Management ………………………… 8
Videoconferencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Conference Room Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 9
Chairs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Credenzas & Hutches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Audio-Visual Cabinets & Carts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Serving (Hospitality) Carts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Podiums/Lecterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Whiteboards/Presentation Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Turnaround times. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Shipping, Delivery & Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
©©2013 Office Furniture NOW!

Conference Room Overview disperse back to their own work space are very efficient. Many
your corporate environments would best be served by lots of
The role of the conference table has changed in the modern
little conferencing areas rather than one big one.
business context. Understanding that change and how it has
come about will help you choose a solution that best suits
your organization’s needs.
The conference table that most people think of, a board room
conference table, is often the focal point of an organization’s
decision-making process. It is frequently where important
matters are decided and announced. The style and appear-
ance of a conference table can take on a symbolic importance
and play a role in a company’s brand.
However, the meaning and function of a conference table has

changed for many organizations. As companies have made
their organizational structures less formal and more collabora-
tive, meetings often happen anywhere. A good conference Mobile, modular tables allow for break-out mini conferences.
table is still a very useful item for fulfilling this function.
Oftentimes, the conference table in a modern context is less

grand. Nowadays, people use conference rooms for mingling,
eating, watching videos, and teleconferencing with people
thousands of miles away. People may need to use a confer-
ence room as a “break-out” room for multiple smaller confer-
ence groups rather than one large one.
Conference Room Furniture - What You Need to Know - Page 1 of 17

When the break-out groups have completed their work,
moving mobile tables into a large table configuration
facilitates group discussion
With the rise of videoconferencing, the role of the conference

table has shifted even more.The shape and layout of a well-
designed table designed for videoconferencing is significantly
different from that of a standard conference table. Modular
tables are available that can be adjusted as needed to fulfil
In a modern context, conference tables are often casual, like this both roles equally well.
multipurpose meeting table.
Conference rooms for meetings between people in the top
Maybe your limited physical space necessitates that one positions of major companies need to have a table that is
room serve multiple purposes, like eating and training, video functional and sets the right tone. Conference tables can
conferencing and face-to-face meetings. After a departmental range from elegant tables in high end marble, to contempo-
meeting, the same “conference” room may be needed later in rary and functional systems furniture.
the day for a training session requiring a different configura-
tion of furniture or different furniture altogether. High end marble and wood topped conference tables can be
extremely expensive. If you are located in Texas, and are look-
Conferencing or “meeting” need not only occur in a dedicated ing for a premium, centerpiece conference table at a more af-
conference room. Conferencing areas near work places where fordable price, contact us for information about our excellent
people can quickly come together, discuss a problem, then inventory in used conference tables.

Used Conference Tables

Used conference tables are a fantastic way to save 30-70% off
the price of a new conference table. Used conference tables
may be perfect - undistinguishable from a new one - or have
some imperfections. The price reflects the original value
of the table and its condition. We have a great inventory of
wood, marble and laminate surfaced conference tables rang-
ing from casual and modern laminate selections to elegant
boardroom conference tables with marble and granite sur-
faces. Several copnveniently located small confeence
tables may suit your needs better than one big
one.
Conference Table Shapes

The type of organization you are purchasing for is a big factor
in choosing the specific conference table that will be ap-
Here’s an example of a beautiful used conference table propriate for your needs. With regards to shape, the organi-
currently for sale at Office Furniture NOW! zational structure of your business can play a surprising role
Generally, it is only economical to purchase a used confer- in what you will need. For instance, if your workplace is very
ence table if it can be delivered locally by truck. Otherwise, hierarchical, you may want to opt for a boat shaped or rectan-
delivery costs might make an inexpensive used table cost gular shaped conference table that will have a specific head of
prohibitive. However, if you get a great deal on a used confer- the table for the person at the top to occupy. If your organiza-
ence table that was very expensive new, it may be worth the tion is more even in its power distribution, a round, square or
shipping costs, which might be offset by your cost savings. If u-shaped conference table might be best so that everyone
Conference Room Furniture - What You Need to Know- Page 2 of 17

a tabletop is made in multiple pieces, the probability that this can face one another and the table fosters multilateral com-
purchase is cost-effective increases. Shipping a huge one- munication.
piece table top can be cost-prohibitive.
Here is a list of the most frequently used, with their general
attributes.
Conference Table Sizes
Once you determine what furniture you want in your con- AA Rectangular. These are the simplest tables to
ference area, you must determine the maximum outside fabricate, and thus usually the most economical for a
dimensions of the table as well as the number of people to given seating capacity.
be accommodated at the conference table. To determine
the maximum dimensions of the table that can fit in your
space, first measure the room’s length and width, not count-
ing obstructions such as columns and other furniture. The
“clearance”, defined as the space between the table and the
closest obstruction, increases with the size of the room to give AA Square. These are fairly uncommon and therefore
the space the right feel. We recommend using the following there are fewer to select from. For the seating capac-
dimensions to determine the largest conference table that will ity, they take up a lot more room than a rectangular
comfortably fit in your space. or racetrack table and, in the middle of the table,
there is space that is generally unusuable.
Size of Room Minimum Recommended
Clearance Clearance
Up to 16 ft. long 42 in. (3.5 ft.) 48 in. (4 ft.)
Up to 22 ft. long 48 in. (4 ft.) 60 in. (5 ft.)
Over 22 ft. long 60 in. (5 ft.) 72 in. (6 ft.)
AA Round. Round conference tables are pretty, but

inefficient. They have only 78.5% of the perimeter of AA Boatshaped. It’s commonly believed that the
a square of the same length and width (and thus less curved side provides more seating capacity but this
seating capacity), and you have to be careful not to isn’t so unless the curve is extreme. The perimeter of
crowd users’ feet under the table. a boatshaped table is almost identical to a rectangu-
lar table of the same length and width but will have
better sight lines and a more graceful appearance
than a rectangular table.
A round conference tables sets participants on an equal

footing, but is an inefficit use of space. Boatshaped tables are very common for
boardrooms.
AA Racetrack. Racetrack tables consist of a rectangu-
lar center capped with two half circle ends. They have AA Modular. Modular conference tables are usually
12.5% less perimeter than a rectangle of comparable smaller tables of various shapes that can be used in-
length and width; this usually means that you lose dividually and/or placed together into a larger config-
1 or 2 people in seating capacity from a rectangular uration. They have the advantage of being extremely
table of the same length and width. They are, how- flexible because you can arrange the modular
ever, very common and have a more graceful look components into smaller or larger tables, depending
than a rectangular table. on the group(s) you need to seat. Seating capacity
is determined by how the tables are assembled and
arranged. Many modular tables can also be folded up
and stored, making them great for a multi-purpose
room with ever-changing space requirements.
The conference table on the left is made up of flip tables

like these on the right. They make for flexible meeting
areas that can easily be set up whereever you need them.
Racetrack tables are probably the most
common conference table, despite having AA Oval (Elliptical) Tables. The shape of an oval
less seating capacity than a rectangular table can vary. Like the racetrack tables, they usually
table.
lose seating for two people because of the shape of
the ends of the table.

during a teleconference while allowing the partici-

pants unobstructed views of a screen. Many V-shaped
tables allow the wide end to be closed, changing the
table into a traditionally-shaped conference table.
This type of table is commonly referred to as a “nut-
cracker”, pictured here.
An oval shaped table has a smaller seating capacity than a

table of the same length that is rectangular because of the
narrowed ends.
AA U-Shaped. U-shaped tables seat people along

three sides, and have an open center. They usually
come in two varieties: squared-end and rounded-
end. The seating capacity is determined by the perim-
eter of the outer edge and the amount of space per Nutcracker tables are great for videoconferencing
user. These tables must be sized to the room and are and can be easily altered to be a regular
conference table afterwards.
often custom built. Send us your room plans and the
desired number of users and we’ll determine what
works best.

AA Custom Conference Tables. If you have special
needs, a custom conference table can be built for
you. Large boardroom tables are often customized
to our clients’ particular image or user requirements.
You can pick materials, décor, shape, inlays of logos
and/or decorations, and electronic installations. Cus-
tom conference tables don’t need to be expensive.
Inexpensive laminate tables, for example, can be
customized with a shape and laminate color of your
choice.
U-Shaped tables allow easy access to the interior of the

table.
AA V-Shaped. This keystone (open “V”) shape is

becoming a standard for videoconferencing. The
wide end of the table faces the cameras and screen,
and is usually not used for seating. This configuration
permits each participant to be viewed by the camera

and tone your organization is setting. Marble and granite are

effective at conveying power, prestige and stability, whereas
a very fine wood evokes quality and style. Laminate surfaces
are practical and cost-effective for tables that get heavy use.
They don’t stain and clean easily. When mixed with wood
and/or metal trim, they can look very upscale yet retain their
practicality.
Custom tables can be build in all kinds of shapes,

materials and styling to fit your particular needs.
AA Other Shapes. Some manufacturers make some

unusually-sized conference tables either for aesthetic
or practical reasons.
A black laminate boatshaped surface, when paired with
brushed steel bases and a maple wood credenza exudes
sophistication.
Laminate
Laminate surfaces are a great lower-cost option. Contempo-
rary laminate options are highly durable and are available in
myriad patterns. Wood colors range from blonde maple to red
oak all the way to ebony and mahogany. Besides faux-wood
patterns, laminates range from tasteful off-whites, to bold
primary colors and even stone textured surfaces.
Unusual table shapes are available. However, if you
can’t find what you want, the sky’s the limit if you
choose a custom conference table.
Conference Tables: Seating Capacities

A quick rule of thumb for figuring out how many people can
sit at a conference table is: Length of table in feet equals the
number of people if one person sits at each end. For example,
a 10 ft. long table will sit ten people (four on each side and
one on each end). On page 15 of this Ebook, you will find
a more detailed reference sheet “Conference Tables: Sizes, This white racetrack laminate conference table with
Shapes & Seating Capacities” which gives you a detailed list of maple wood bases melds modernity with tradition.
seating capacities for different shaped conference tables. It is
based on an allowance of 30 inches of width around the table At Office Furniture NOW! we offer a selection of standard
per person. This will, of course, vary by the specific chairs you laminate colors that we offer when we custom-laminate a
use and your preferences for how much room someone needs conference table for you. These are the 60 Series of Wilsonart
for the function to be performed at the table. laminate. See pages 14 & 15 of this E-Book for these standard
offerings. Other laminates from Wilsonart, as well as Pyonite
Surface Materials and Formica, are readily available but cost more. The avail-
able color choices are in the hundreds of colors
The material that your conference table top is made from is
probably the single-most important indicator of the style Wood

Wood’s unique texture and grain character bring depth and from the flitch much like the pages of a book.
nature into any environment. The beauty of wood accentu- AA Slip Matched: where the pieces are joined
ates any style and adds interest to any setting. The essence of together in the order they come from the flitch, and
wood is natural. Both solid wood conference tables and wood have the same face kept up.
veneer conference tables are manufactured. However, due
to expansion and contraction of solid wood - which causes AA Radial Matched: where the veneer is cut into
a table top to warp - few tables are made out of solid wood. wedge shaped pieces and joined together.
Most are wood veneer. AA Diamond Matched: where the pattern formed is
diamond shaped.
Here’s a graphic image1 of some of the above described
veneers, as well as variations thereof:
Wood is beautiful and timeless. Like this

conference room, if you plan well your entire office

can look cohesive.
Wood veneer furniture uses less wood than the same piece
Both the type of wood and how the wood is finished can give of furniture made with solid wood. Some projects built using
a conference table a very different appearance, because of wood veneer would not be possible to construct using solid
the wood grain, the color and the sheen. Wood colors range lumber, due to expansion and contraction caused by fluctua-
from blonde to espresso and, when different wood colors tion of temperature and humidity. This is particularly true with
are paired together, can give a modern look. Mahogany and large conference tables.
cherry look dark and are used in traditional furniture.
Some manufacturers use wood from sustainable sources. To
In woodworking, veneer refers to thin slices of wood, usually qualify, the wood cannot be harvested faster than it is being
thinner than 3 mm (1/8 inch), that are typically glued onto replenished. Some manufacturers offer FSC Certified Wood
core panels (typically, wood, particle board or medium-densi- which is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC),
ty fiberboard) to produce flat panels such as doors, tops and which certifies wood to be from socially and environmentally
panels for parts of furniture. The finest and rarest logs are sent responsible forestry.
to companies that produce veneer. Making veneer greatly
expands the amount of usable wood. While a log used for Stone
solid lumber is cut into thick pieces, usually no less than 1 1/8 Stone is available in a rich variety of colors. Given that stone
inches, veneers are cut as thin as 1/40 of an inch. Very little is a natural material, it is impossible to guarantee the nature
wood is wasted by the saw blade thickness. Therefore, the of consistency in grains, marbling and color. Each new item
yield of a rare grain pattern or wood type is greatly increased, made of stone from the same quarry will be different. The
which in turn places less stress on the resource. surface feel and texture may be somewhat different as well.
The slices of veneer are always kept in the order in which they Stone can come from exotic places like Italy or Brazil, which
are cut from the tree, and are known as flitches. There are a has some of the most striking marbles in the world, as well as
number of “patterns” common to veneered work. This refers to from United States’ quarries that produce an excellent quality
the way the veneers are laid up. of stone. A key aspect to purchasing a stone surface for your
AA Book Matched: where the veneers are opened conference table, whether it is marble or granite, is transport-

ing the material to your workplace. When you order a stone- AA Surface Materials. Available materials include
topped conference table, Office Furniture NOW! handles the wood, stone (granite, marble and more), glass,
logistics. laminate and polymer surfaces. One of our favorite
surfaces is whiteboard (or blackboard) that everyone
Here’s a brief description of all the different types of stone on who sits at the table can write on with dry-erase
the market today. markers!
AA Granite - primarily granules AA Base Shapes. Here are photos of some of the
most common ones. Each manufacturer offers a
AA Marble – characterized by veins although it can
variety of bases; often you can pick the base indepen-
also have beautiful organic spots without veining
dently of the surface.
AA Onyx – Often has striking colors, consistent cren-
ellated patterns and complex marbling
AA Travertine – generally a brown or ocher color
with either straight striations or very subtle marbling
AA Semi-Precious – For an ultra-premium surface,
semi-precious stones convey glamour and impor-
tance – a really great differentiator for a company Round Disc Base
that seeks to brand itself as alluring and exciting.
They run the gamut of textures and patterns, but
can have unusual tones like purple (amethyst) and Cylinder Base
emerald green (apple jasper). Petrified wood is also a
semi-precious stone.
AA Quartzite – exotic stone with sometimes vivid
colors from emerald green to ochre red
AA Engineered – Plastics have become quite ad-
vanced over the decades and stone substitutes made TT-Base
of plastic are attractive and hard wearing enough to
be appropriate for surfaces in many business environ-
ments. While, you will not get the complex patterns Half-Cylinder Base
and marbling that you will get with a premium stone,
engineered stone will save you money and give you a
surface with a stone-like appearance that has a high
degree of consistency.
AA Samsung Radianz – This innovative product
X-Base
is made from 95% quartz ground into artistically
selected components and then bonded together
with a hard wearing polymer medium. When cut and
polished, Radianz gives a look very similar to stones Square (Cube) Base
with granular structures. Radianz also will not get the
complex patterns and marbling that you will get with
a premium stone but it is attractive, consistent and
available in a good variety of patterns.
4-Column X-Base
Custom Conference Tables AA Base Materials. The most common materials
In addition to hundreds of standard conference tables, Office are wood and metal. Metal is available in different
Furniture NOW! can design and build a custom premium or finishes, like shiny chrome or brushed with different
budget conference table to suit your exact needs for style patterns.
and function. When we help you design a custom conference AA Table Size. The sky is almost the limit when it
table, you can choose all aspects of your table, including:

comes to table sizes, from small to huge. and round

to square or U-shaped. You can pick your table size if
you order a custom table. However, typical lengths
are increments of 2 feet, starting with 4 feet long. i.e.
4 feet, 6 feet, 8 feet, up to 24 feet long. Typical widths
are:
• 36 inches
• 42 inches Even small conference tables can be ordered with data &
• 48 inches power conveniently built right into the tables.
• 54 inches The power/data center is best when integrated into the

• 60 inches tabletop, allowing it to close when not in use, for a clean
appearance. Even if you’re purchasing a used conference
AA Table Shape. You can pick almost anything, from
table, it can be retro-fitted with the data and/or power
square to U-shaped to V-shaped to boatshaped.
ports of your choice. As wireless internet becomes more
AA Edge Details. See the last page of this Ebook for prevalent,dataports may not be necessary, but the need for
some of the most common ones. When you’re look- power seems insatiable. Having built-in data and/or electrical
ing at edge details, these are the factors that should ports obviates the presence of annoying and even hazardous
play into your decision. cables.
• How rough the edge will be treated? If the
edges will have heavy use, it’s probably worth it to
pay for a really durable edge.
• Will people be leaning up to the edge? Besides

making sure to choose a durable edge, you may
want to consider that a rounder edge will be
Power and/or data grommets can be installed in any table, new
more comfortable to lean against than a sharper or used. Many grommets have covers to make them less visually
edge detail obtrusive.
• What will the edge detail look like with the cho-
sen look? If your room is full of ornate furniture, The most common materials used to make power and/or data
pick an edge that will go with the decor. ports are aluminum, other metal, and plastic. They come in
many technical configurations, a multitude of finishes and
• Do you want the edge to match or contrast with many different mounting positions. Here are a few more
the surface and/or base? Contrasting edge details examples:
will draw your eye to it more than a homogeneous
look.
Power and/or Data Ports
Many of today’s workers spend much of the day out of their
offices—in meetings, at impromptu gatherings. Intelligent
conferencing solutions, like network access, are essential for
productive group interactions.
A tabletop power/data center(s) provides convenient access From left to right are aluminum, plastic and metal power/data
for individual users, technical presentations or video confer- grommets, showing the variety of configurations and finishes that are
encing—all at the tabletop. available.
Grommets & Wire Management

Even if you don’t choose power and/or data ports for your
conference table, make sure to consider installing well-placed
grommets which serve as a conduit for cables to go from the

top of a table through the grommet to a power outlet in a cor- from home. One research report based on a sampling of 1,800
raled and neat fashion. corporate employees showed that, as of June 2010, 54% of
the respondents with access to video conferencing used it “all
of the time” or “frequently”.
Much business is transacted via videoconferencing and well-

designed videoconferencing conference room tables can do
much to support your important telepresence.
To select your videoconferencing furniture you must first

answer a few questions.
AA How many people will be videoconferencing?

AA Would you like stationary or mobile videoconfer-
encing tables?
AA Do you need dataports built into your furniture?
Video, power and phone cable pop-up connections
Top row: A metal gromet, plastic grommets & a wood as well as efficient wire management systems are
grommet. important components of videoconferencing tables.
Bottom row: A plastic tabletop grommet, an under-table
wire management trough, & an in-the -table-letg wire AA Do your video conferencing conference room
management option. tables need to match other furniture or not?
Here are some key considerations for a productive and com-
Videoconferencing municative videoconferencing session:
With the solutions available today for visual communication

AA Can you see the other person or is trying to crane
and online collaboration, videoconferencing and teleconfer-
your neck to catch a murky image of them in a moni-
encing allows people to interact in a more effective and pro-
tor just a distraction?
ductive manner than some of the more awkward technologies
of the past. AA Is your room well lit?
AA Is the light travelling in the right direction? If lights
There are many ways to videoconference:
or windows are behind a person while the camera is
AA At a laptop using Skype pointing at them, the participant on the other end
may only see an outline of the person they are trying
AA In a business meeting with a TV monitor and
to interact with.
camera
If you are going to be using teleconferencing to conduct high
AA In a video or conference call with multiple parties
level business diplomacy or win new clients, you might take
controlling and posting information to a common
a moment to compose the image that your camera will be
computer screen
sending to them while you make your pitch. It is a good idea
Videoconferences can be as simple as a conversation be- to test whether the combination of lighting and painting
tween two people in private offices (point-to-point) or involve scheme set the right tone you are working to convey. Tables
several sites (multi-point) with more than one person in large are important as well. If your videoconferencing setup is too
rooms at different sites. Besides the audio and visual transmis- thrown together with wires and speakers visible on the table,
sion of meeting activities, videoconferencing can be used you might come across as disorganized and unprofessional.
to share documents, computer-displayed information, and
whiteboards. Videoconferencing can enable individuals in dis- How often will you be videoconferencing? With a little bit of
tant locations to participate in meetings on short notice, with forethought into camera placement and setting the stage
time and money savings. Technology such as VoIP can be used in the room which you wish to work in, as well as carefully
in conjunction with desktop videoconferencing to enable low- picking a room that has favorable lighting and acoustic char-
cost face-to-face business meetings without leaving the desk, acteristics, you can arrive at an acceptable solution for most
especially for businesses with widespread offices. The technol- situations. If you will be using videoconferencing frequently,
ogy is also used for telecommuting, in which employees work or plan to use it for important communications, you may want

to invest in some infrastructure to make your outgoing image offset by productivity gained.
presentable and effectively collaborative.
Aesthetics
Once you have your requisite equipment – camera, TV moni- Many manufacturers make chairs specifically to match their
tor and microphones, or hookup to standard speakerphones, conference tables and this can be a good option for a cohe-
you’ll be surprised at how useful key furniture elements are in sive look. However, nowadays, this is not the constraint that
bringing your videoconferencing setup together. Videocon- it used to be and often contrasting chairs or chairs that are
ferencing has come a long way from its inception and you will ergonomic are often preferred over the visual cohesion of
see that furniture has evolved to facilitate its use in almost as “matching” chairs.
revolutionary a way as the technology itself. Here are a couple
of key advances in design that will tremendously improve
your videoconferencing setup.
V-Shaped Tables. Traditional conference tables can be made

to work but you will notice that they are better suited to
someone who is sitting in the room and can tilt their head to
either side. When a traditional conference table is captured
on camera from a traditional position at the head of the table,
what you end up seeing onscreen is mainly just the table and Traditionally, conference chairs matchedthe table for a
the profiles of the two people seated closest to the camera. cohesive look. Now, ergonomic chairs are often picked over
V-shaped tables eliminate this problem by sitting the partici- “matching” chairs.
pants on the outside of the V and pointing the camera in their
direction from the end of the open part. Materials
Depending on budget and style, there are many office chair
materials to choose from, including fabric, leather, wood,
metal, mesh and vinyl. Leather is often perceived as the fabric

of choice for high end executive office furniture because of
its soft hand and durability, but nowadays a good ergonomic
chair with a mesh back and fashion forward design may carry
more prestige. Vinyl provides a leather look without the high
price. Wood chairs often have padding with fabric or leather
seats and backs. There is a lot of metal on ergonomic chairs
Contemporary designs like modular, nutcracker and V-shaped and whether it has a shiny or brushed finish can change the
conference tables (pictured here) are great for video look of these chairs. For more information on chair materials,
conferencing click here.
Conference Room Accessories

What you choose for your conference room accessories furni-
ture is dependent upon the use to which you plan to put your
conference room.
Chairs
When electing conference room chairs, it is important to con-
sider ergonomics, employee status, mobility, materials, and
the aesthetics of your conference room design.
Leather conference chairs are prestigous but high quality
Ergonomics ergonomic chairs in other materials are also highly regarded.
When selecting a chair, make sure you purchase good ergo-
Mobility
nomic office chairs, built for comfort. Conferences are time
Most people prefer conference room chairs with casters,
consuming and a good ergonomic chair will ensure the com-
enabling them to move and turn easily. There is a range of
fort of attendees and help keep them focused at the task at
quality in casters and it is important to purchase a chair with
hand. Additional costs for a good ergonomic chair are quickly
high quality casters to minimize problems with them. Also,

it is important that the casters match the surface on which speakers and microphones. They can be purchases to match
they’ll be rolling. The harder the floor, the softer the caster your other conference room furniture or be bought as stand-
and vice versa. alone items.
The humble but important caster. Most people want Audio-Visual cabinets can be ordered to match the rest of
them on conference chairs and, often, on conference your conference room furniture.
tables to enhance mobility.
Serving (Hospitality) Carts
When people are bringing food into a conference room
Credenzas and Hutches and clearing dishes away, a serving cart - sometimes called
Credenzas are generally used for storage and/or food service. a “hospitality cart” - is invaluable and can be purchased to
A credenza can contain a filing cabinet, shelves for coffee match your other conference room furniture. It can be used
cups, important papers or a TV. It also is a statement piece, for things other than food, for example, to bring in laptop
holding beautiful flowers or corporate mementos. They come computers or papers to be distributed during a meeting.
in many sizes and with many internal options. Hutches are
often placed above a credenza and provide additional storage
space. Generally, it is a good idea to buy a credenza and hutch

at the same time you buy your conference table so they are of
the same materials, be it wood veneer, laminate or something
else. Sometimes, for aesthetic reasons, a credenza and hutch
might contrast with the table rather than match it.
Serving cards can come in very handy. You can purchase one
to match your other conference room furniture or go more
informally with a less expensive option.
Podiums /Lecterns
Iff speakers are going to be present and your conference room
is large, you might want a podium or lectern. They help the
speaker to stay organized and on task, and enable the speaker
to convey their message to the audience.
Manufacturers build all kinds of conference room furniture
that matches each other - from serving cards, credenzas, and There are three main types of podiums:
hutches to bookcases and media cards. It’s important to buy a
whole set at one time so you don’t face being told an item has 1. Floor podiums which are free-standing, and
been discontinued at a later date. require the speaker to stand behind them when they
are giving a presentation
Audio-Visual Cabinets & Carts
Audio visual furniture, which contains audio visual equipment,
can be an important part of a conference room in which there
is videoconferencing or film watching. They can contain a TV,

Floor units are more expensive than tabletop units. If you

need an audio system, the podium price will increase substan-
tially. Materials used in the construction of the podium, fin-
ishes, and customizations can also cause the price of podiums
to vary.
Whiteboards/Presentation Boards
Whiteboards and/or more elaborate presentation boards are
an essential conference room accessory. Cabinets for them,
made to match your conference table, credenza and hutch,
This floor podium is constructed to
easily integrate a computer and other
enhance the look and function of your conference room.
AV equipment into it. Nowadays there are also more versatile and complex paper
and presentation management tools that incorporate white
2. Stackable podiums can be placed on a tabletop. boards, tack boards, electronic presentation boards, and stor-
This podium will give the speaker flexibility in where age in room-wrap panels that turn your conference room into
they can give a presentation, and it allows them to a dynamic center for learning, planning and strategizing.
use the audio system more freely.
3. Tabletop podiums are for panel presentations
where one speaker sits next to others.

A tabletop lectern is mobile and
simple. Sometimes it may be all
you need! Podiums and Presentation Boards are often designed
to match your other conference room furniture so the
Podiums, also known as lecterns, can be made of metal, plas- office will look cohesive.
tic, or wood. Wood veneer podiums are one of the most popu-
lar choices because they are extremely durable and give the Turnaround Times
presenter a professional look. Laminate finishes are synthetic When you’ll get your conference room furniture depends on
and usually less expensive. what you order from Office Furniture NOW!
There are many features that a person should consider when AA Items we have In-Stock - Used or New. Most
purchasing a podium, including items can be delivered to your office in 1-3 business
days. If you have a truck and want to take any furni-
AA Wheels that lock ture with you, you can!
AA Adjustable heights, AA Quick-Ship Items: 1-3 weeks
AA Built-in clock, and AA Special Order & Custom Items: 3-12 weeks. The
AA Shelving on the inside more elaborate and/or customized your special order
You should make sure that the dimensions of the wooden conference room furniture is, the longer it will take.
podium fit your space requirements and that you know your Shipping & Installation
audio requirements. You should examine the wattage of the
speakers, whether they are wired, or wireless controls, and A key consideration in purchasing an item as large as a confer-
if the podium includes a microphone. Inputs, outputs, and ence table is shipping and delivery. For an item that is too
power supply must also be considered. far away from the desired destination, the cost of shipping
can overtake the price of the item being shipped and render
The price of a podium will depend on a number of factors. shipping impractical. A particular concern with large solid

wood and stone items is whether they can be separated out a mover.
into component leaves. If so, they are stackable and much Don’t let the above details keep you from buying the confer-
easier to ship and deliver since, while the weight is the same, ence table of your dreams. At Office Furniture NOW!, we deal
the footprint is much smaller and they are easier to pack and with these issues day in and day out. However, be prepared
protect for breakage. for being asked about the building and specific office to
Some high-end marble and granite-topped conference tables which we’re delivering your conference room furniture,
are carved from a single slab of marble. Moving a whole because these are the details we need to know to install your
slab of stone presents challenges with shipping in a vehicle conference table!
because an item that heavy must be balanced in the truck. 1
http://www.next.cc/journey/discovery/wood
The shape of a table top makes this a challenge because the 2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Videoconference
marble generally has to be balanced on its side to fit into the
cargo bay. Doing this is a delicate balancing act because the
slab has to be padded at the bottom so the weight of the
stone does not crack it during handling. Also, the box must be
secured within the cargo bay so that it does not shift around.
Here ends “Conference Room Furniture: What You Need to
This means that an entire cargo bay of a truck may be needed
Know.” Hopefully, it’s been informative. Attached are the fol-
to ship a single-piece conference table. As a result of these
lowing:
considerations, the price of shipping increases dramatically.
AA Office Furniture NOW’s Standard Laminate Colors
Another consideration with moving large and heavy items,
like conference tables, is installation. It is easy to forget that AA Conference Tables - Sizes, Shapes & Seating Ca-
the furniture you are ordering must be able to fit through the pacities
parts of the building it must travel through in order to get to AA Conference Table Edge Details: - Custom Options
the area where it is to be installed. The primary criteria that
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading this E-Book. We have more
must be addressed when installing a large item are:
in the works which we’d love to share with you. Just send an
AA Width of doorjambs and hallways – Are they email to experts@OfficeFurnitureNOW.com requesting them.
wide enough for the item to fit through?
AA Elevators and freight elevators – Is the elevator
large enough for the item to fit inside? Also, is the
elevator rated to carry the weight of the item?
AA Stairs – Will the piece have to be carried up a
stairwell?
AA Furniture and other office fixtures that may
have to be moved in order for the item to be in-
stalled. This is frequently overlooked until the last
minute but should be dealt with immediately be-
cause delays can cost you money, or, worse, require
for the item to be held back until the area is prepared
for installation.
Factors to consider when preparing an area are:
AA What furniture items will need to be moved?

AA Who in your organization will move them?
AA Where will the items be stored while your delivery
takes place?
AA What other fixtures within your workplace might
need to be temporarily taken down? These items
include light fixtures, doors, or carpets that might trip
Standard Laminate Colors

Wilsonart - 60 Series Page 1 of 2
Room Furniture
Conference Room
Conference You Need
WhatYou
Furniture --What Know Page
to Know
Need to 17
14ofof16
- Page13
Standard Laminate Colors

Wilsonart - 60 Series Page 2 of 2
Conference Tables
Sizes, Shapes & Seating Capacities
The following suggested seating accommodations are based on the

average chair width of 30”.
These figures may vary depending on the end users’ chair width, style
Round and base selection.
Dimensions Dimensions Seating
(In Inches) (In Feet) Capacity
30” diameter 2.5’ diameter 2
36” diameter 3’ diameter 3
48” diameter 4’ diameter 4
60” diameter 5’ diameter 5 ‐ 6
72” diameter 6’ diameter 6 ‐ 7 Rectangular Boat Shaped
Dimensions Dimensions Seating Dimensions Dimensions Seating
(In Inches) (In Feet) Capacity (In Inches) (In Feet) Capacity
36” x 72” 3’ x 6’ 6 36” x 72” 3’ x 6’ 6
42” x 84” 3.5’ x 7’ 6 42” x 84” 3.5’ x 7’ 6
48” x 96” 4’ x 8’ 8 48” x 96” 4’ x 8’ 8
48” x 120” 4’ x 10’ 8 48” x 120” 4’ x 10’ 8
48” x 144” 4’ x 12’ 8-10 48” x 144” 4’ x 12’ 8-10
Square 48” x 168” 4’ x 14’ 10-12 48” x 168” 4’ x 14’ 10-12
Dimensions Dimensions Seating
48” x 192” 4’ x 16’ 12-14 48” x 192” 4’ x 16’ 12-14
(In Inches) (In Feet) Capacity
60” x 120” 5’ x 10’ 8 60” x 120” 5’ x 10’ 8

30” diameter 2.5’ diameter 2 60” x 144” 5’ x 12’ 8-10 60” x 144” 5’ x 12’ 8-10
36” diameter 3’ diameter 4 60” x 168” 5’ x 14’ 12 60” x 168” 5’ x 14’ 12
42” diameter 3.5’ diameter 4 60” x 192” 5’ x 16’ 14 60” x 192” 5’ x 16’ 14
54” diameter 4.5’ diameter 4 60” x 240” 5’ x 20’ 18 60” x 240” 5’ x 20’ 18
Bowed Racetrack Elliptical

Dimensions Dimensions Seating Dimensions Dimensions Seating Dimensions Dimensions Seating
(In Inches) (In Feet) Capacity (In Inches) (In Feet) Capacity (In Inches) (In Feet) Capacity
36” x 72” 3’ x 6’ 6 36” x 72” 3’ x 6’ 6 36” x 72” 3’ x 6’ 4-5
42” x 84” 3.5’ x 7’ 6 42” x 84” 3.5’ x 7’ 6 42” x 84” 3.5’ x 7’ 6
48” x 96” 4’ x 8’ 8 48” x 96” 4’ x 8’ 8 48” x 96” 4’ x 8’ 9
48” x 120” 4’ x 10’ 8 48” x 120” 4’ x 10’ 8 48” x 120” 4’ x 10’ 8-9
48” x 144” 4’ x 12’ 8-10 48” x 144” 4’ x 12’ 8-10 48” x 144” 4’ x 12’ 8-10
48” x 168” 4’ x 14’ 10-12 48” x 168” 4’ x 14’ 10-12 48” x 168” 4’ x 14’ 10-12
48” x 192” 4’ x 16’ 12-14 48” x 192” 4’ x 16’ 12-14 48” x 192” 4’ x 16’ 12-14
60” x 120” 5’ x 10’ 8 60” x 120” 5’ x 10’ 8 60” x 120” 5’ x 10’ 8
60” x 144” 5’ x 12’ 8-10 60” x 144” 5’ x 12’ 8-10 60” x 144” 5’ x 12’ 8
60” x 168” 5’ x 14’ 12 60” x 168” 5’ x 14’ 12 60” x 168” 5’ x 14’ 12
60” x 192” 5’ x 16’ 14 60” x 192” 5’ x 16’ 14 60” x 192” 5’ x 16’ 14
60” x 216” 5’ x 18’ 16 60” x 216” 5’ x 18’ 16 60” x 216” 5’ x 18’ 16
60” x 240” 5’ x 20’ 18 60” x 240” 5’ x 20’ 18 60” x 240” 5’ x 20’ 18
60” x 288” 5’ x 24’ 20 60” x 288” 5’ x 24’ 20 60” x 288” 5’ x 24’ 20
Conference Table Edge Details

Laminate Custom Options
PVC Edge PVC Knife Sydney PVC ABS Edge ABS Knife
Self Edge T-Mold

Laminate Inlay
Resin Edge
Square Edge Bullnose Edge Waterfall Edge Bevel Edge Knife Edge
Veneer - Wood Edge
Micro Edge Remington Edge Bevel Edge Rio Edge Winchester

Dover Denver Double Radius
Laminate Inlay - Wood Edge
Micro Edge Remington Edge Bevel Edge Rio Edge Winchester
Dover Denver Double Radius

Natural
Stone
Square Eased 3/4” Bullnose 3/4” Waterfall 3/4” Knife 3/4”

Conference Room Furniture: What You Need To Know

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What You Need to Know

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However, the meaning and function of a conference table has

Oftentimes, the conference table in a modern context is less