When you’re furnishing a conference room, the first and most important piece of furniture you’ll need is the conference table. It’s important that the conference table is the centerpiece of the room, and that the rest of the décor flows naturally from the conference table.

Conference rooms are where company meetings are held, where interviews take place and where presentations and ideas are offered up for brainstorming. It’s important that employees and guests to the office see your boardroom as a place where things get done and where important decisions get made. Make sure your boardroom projects a warm, comfortable and successful image.

Getting Started

Before you get started, take a look at the conference room and decide how you’re going to set things up. How you plan to use the conference room will play a big part in which conference table. If you’ll be using the room mostly for meetings or conference calls, then a larger rectangular or boat-shaped conference table is ideal. For brainstorming sessions or interviews, a smaller modular or round conference tables provide a more intimate experience.

The conference table will be the centerpiece of the room, so make sure that it is sized and positioned accordingly. There’s nothing worse than having a too small conference table in a large room, or a huge conference table that doesn’t fit properly in small or medium-sized room. Try to find a table that is in proportion to the rest of the room.

Conference Tables

There are so many different types of conference tables in the market that it can be difficult to not only differentiate between the different types, but also to choose the best fit for your office.

Round conference tables are a great fit in smaller or regular-sized rooms. The curved table promotes a feeling of closeness when people are seated, which is a major bonus for smaller, harmonious teams. Other options for smaller rooms include modular conference tables, which can come in any number of shapes, as well as 8-shaped tables which throw in a bit of visual variety.

See how the rest of your furniture will fit with the table. If the room features a lot of curves and rounded corners, then an 8-shaped or round conference tables will probably match up. On the other hand, if the room features a lot of hard angles, a modular conference table would probably be a more natural fit.

For larger rooms, the traditional rectangle table is also a safe bet. These tables have a commanding presence, with the larger variations seating up to 12 people. If you find the rectangular conference table a little too safe, then something like a boat-shaped conference table can really liven up a room with its unique design. Bowtie and racetrack tables are other alternatives for bigger rooms, and they bring something a little different than you standard rectangular table.