Did you know that there are many ways to design your meeting room? No matter your design choice, it is important to ensure the room meets the needs of your team. But how do you get this right? Well, it boils down to the furniture. Whether you’re designing for creative brainstorming sessions, high-stakes board meetings, or quick daily stand-ups, your choice of furniture plays a crucial role in shaping the room’s success. Here’s how to design a meeting room with furniture that truly works for every team.
Start with Flexibility
Flexibility is the cornerstone of a great meeting room, so how flexible is your room? Today’s teams are dynamic and often switch between different working modes. Hence, your meeting room furniture should support a variety of meeting types, including formal, informal, in-person, and hybrid.
Modular furniture is a great investment. Tables that can be rearranged or grouped in different configurations allow teams to create the setup they need. For example, the tables can be pulled together for collaborative projects or separated for breakout sessions. Similarly, nesting chairs or lightweight stackable seating can be easily moved or stored, keeping the space free and uncluttered.
Choose the Right Table
The meeting table will always be the focal point of your room, so choosing one that suits both the size of the room and the typical group size is essential. Thankfully, there are many suitable options to choose from out there. A rectangular table is ideal for formal meetings, while a round or oval table fosters equality and open dialogue, which can be beneficial for brainstorming sessions.
Consider tables with integrated cable management or built-in power modules. These make it easy to plug in laptops, charge phones, or connect to a screen without messing up things.
Incorporate Ergonomic Seating
With some meetings likely to last hours, your team will need ergonomic and possibly adjustable chairs. Chairs with features such as lumbar support, adjustable armrests, and breathable materials tend to be the best bet in this regard. And you could offer a mix of seating styles if your meeting room serves multiple purposes or teams. You can have some more relaxed, like lounge chairs or cushioned armchairs and more structured options for formal settings. This variety allows teams to choose the seating that best fits their needs.
Make Tech Integration Seamless
With technology being central to modern meetings, especially in hybrid work environments, your furniture should support tech integration rather than hinder it. Use media walls or AV carts to make displays and conferencing tools accessible without dominating the room. Conference tables should offer easy access to power and data connections, and ideally, hide cables to keep the space tidy. Consider a media table designed specifically for video calls, with integrated screens and speakers for small rooms.
Plan for Accessibility and Inclusivity
Ensure that your furniture choices and room layout accommodate everyone. This includes wheelchair-accessible tables, chairs with armrests for easy movement, and adequate space for maneuvering. Inclusive design ensures that every team member, regardless of ability, can participate fully.
Don’t Forget Acoustics and Privacy
Effective meetings require both focus and clarity, and poor acoustics can ruin even the best-designed room. You can use sound-absorbing panels, acoustic partitions, or upholstered furniture to reduce noise levels. As for privacy, go for acoustic pods or movable walls that can transform an open area into a semi-private meeting room when needed.
Sure, the best meeting rooms don’t just host meetings; they help teams do their best work.
