The meeting room table is an element of fundamental importance within an office and therefore must be chosen with the utmost care, in order to adapt to the specific needs of the work activity and the environment in which it is placed.
In recent years we have witnessed a real evolution regarding this furniture: we have moved from the classically elegant and representative table to a more modern and functional solution , capable of bringing together and optimizing group work, a place where you work, but also train, communicate, create, share opinions and tasks, as well as toast any successes.
In short, it is a multitasking piece of furniture and, as such, must comply with very specific rules, in order to best represent the useful characteristics for each type of work that must be carried out; Furthermore, it is worth underlining that the term meeting room itself is somewhat reductive: in fact this type of table can be found in conference rooms, meeting rooms, training rooms and many others, so it is advisable to think about what type of room it will be used for.
Let us then consider that during a meeting, whatever the work activity of the office itself, verbal interventions are often accompanied by a good dose of dynamism, useful both for communicating with the various participants and for reaching the screen or blackboard used to expand the explanations.
Therefore the chosen table must guarantee the possibility of movement of all those taking part in the meeting, and not only that!
Let's see together some practical advice for choosing the meeting room table best suited to different needs, focusing later on the most important characteristics of this furniture.
Some preliminary advice
Before proceeding with the choice of the table for the meeting room, it is advisable to evaluate some important aspects.
The first is certainly the type of work carried out within the office, so as to determine what kind of meetings take place. It is possible that you are dealing with formal occasions, such as board meetings, or with meetings that more closely concern company staff, such as work sessions, brainstorming sessions, video conferences or training meetings.
Let's then consider the size of the room that will host the table: this is because it will have to fit perfectly with respect to the number of seats, allowing the right space for all occupants.
Bearing in mind that each meeting station measures approximately 80 cm , another important aspect must also be considered, namely the technological equipment that must be present on the table: screens, monitors, microphones, cameras and more. Precisely as a function of these instruments, we must also not forget the possible presence of cable glands which are almost always integrated into the structure of the table.
Another element to reflect on is the estimated duration of the meetings and whether the working methods are fixed or change depending on the participants. In this case, in fact, it may be useful to think about flexible furnishings (such as folding desks), which allow you to quickly change the general appearance of the room.
Last but not least, let's also focus on the comfort that the meeting room must give to all participants. For example, we are talking about improving the acoustics of the room, using special sound-absorbing solutions such as panels, curtains and even carpets. All this must happen without neglecting lighting, which must be adequate both in natural and artificial form, even if monitors are used or images are projected.
The role of the table in the corporate image
It is important at this point to underline the centrality of the meeting room in the image of the company or office.
It acts in a certain sense as a business card , given that it is almost always the place where a potential customer is welcomed.
It therefore goes without saying that the furnishing of this environment cannot be left to chance and must be taken care of down to the smallest details, starting from the choice of the table.
The table for the meeting room must therefore represent the company in question, but also match the predominant style of the office: it can therefore be classic or more modern, in materials such as glass or crystal (which are particularly valuable), but also in wood , melamine and polycarbonate , a very popular material in recent times thanks to its versatility and its particular robustness.
The choice of style and material is completely subjective, however it should not be underestimated, as it also contributes to strengthening the company image which is transmitted to both staff and customers.
The shape and size
Meeting tables can have very variable shapes and sizes, which is why the choice can fall on different models, as long as the type of meeting that will be held and the number of participants are taken into consideration.
The meeting tables have at least 4 seats , although their size must also be chosen based on the overall dimensions of the room.
The 8-seater meeting table , due to its size, can be considered a cross between small tables and very large tables, therefore it is perfect for environments with not very large capacity.
If the room allows it and if there is a need to accommodate more people, it is possible to opt for meeting tables with 10 , 12 and even 16 seats .
However, the ideal meeting table must be neither too small nor too large, so as not to be distracting if there are only a few of you or sacrificed if there are more of you than expected; in fact, it must allow all occupants to be able to move easily and have the right comfort.
As for the shape of the table, it is never random: the rectangular shape is preferred for more formal meetings (with a clear hierarchical division, given that the leaders tend to occupy the shorter sides), while square or round tables are chosen for operational meetings, in which both visual contact and interaction between participants is facilitated.
Clearly we cannot ignore the situation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic when talking about the size of the meeting table, which sees new safety parameters dictated by interpersonal distancing.
It must be said that many meetings currently take place via the internet, but in any case it is good to think that we will soon return to normality, using large tables (so as to allow correct distancing) and with fewer participants than before.
The furnishings of the meeting room
The entire furniture of the meeting room should be studied adequately, so as to allow those who will have to work inside it to maintain the right concentration and good productivity.
Fundamental ingredients of meeting room furnishings must be multifunctionality and versatility .
Many hours are spent in a meeting room, not only working, but also conversing and relaxing in preparation for more or less formal meetings; Therefore, interaction between colleagues is important.
So let's see what furnishings are the protagonists of a meeting room.
The table , as mentioned, must be chosen based on the size of the room, allowing maximum freedom of movement for the various occupants. It can be rectangular, square, oval or round, as long as it guarantees a hierarchical division, where applicable, and good visual contact between everyone. The materials can be different, as long as the general style of the rooms is respected.
The seats , be they chairs or armchairs , must guarantee the comfort of the occupants, very often even for several consecutive hours. This is why ergonomic chairs (such as Bellelli's office armchairs ) are particularly suitable , as they provide the right support to the body with their anatomical shape that adapts perfectly to the natural curve of the back. The seats in a meeting room can be equipped with armrests, casters and other special options depending on use. For example, wheels are recommended for types of meetings that involve a certain degree of dynamism.
The furnishing accessories complete the workstations and optimize their comfort. We are talking, for example, about sound-absorbing panels (which have a decorative but also acoustic function), but also about displays useful for organizing meeting material, bookcases and storage units, but above all about lamps capable of guaranteeing the best possible lighting.
The furnishing style, obviously, depends on personal tastes; However, it is useful to remember that the choice of colors is important: it is advisable not to focus on nuances such as white, gray or beige, which can convey a sense of coldness to workers, which can be exacerbated by neon lamps.
Instead, brighter colors are recommended, such as green and blue, as they are colors capable of encouraging a general sense of well-being, as well as improving concentration and productivity.
So you can decide to focus on tables with colored worktops, or on multicolored seats, such as colored polycarbonate chairs : the important thing is to break up the monotony with touches of colour.
You can think of classic furnishings that reflect the general tone of the company, but also of more distinctly modern solutions to represent the attitude to progress: everything must refer to the image of the company itself.
Generally , more modern furnishings are preferred , as they are considered more chic and designer , in addition to the fact that they guarantee greater versatility and multifunctionality of the work spaces; the materials themselves contribute to giving lightness and harmony to the environments, including metal, glass and polycarbonate.
In conclusion, the choice of the table for the meeting room, like the furnishings of the room and other areas, deserves the right consideration, since it must fit harmoniously within the company, representing it in the best possible way both towards potential new customers, both towards collaborators.
Everything must contribute to creating the ideal working environment, in which you can concentrate, interact with colleagues and superiors and, when possible, perhaps relax a little!
