Conference rooms are the heart of collaboration and discussions within any business, and choosing the right size conference table is a crucial decision for any workspace.
Whether you’re needing a collaborative meeting area, hosting client presentations, or internal team discussions, the right table can enhance the functionality, as well as the atmosphere of the room.
But how do you decide on the perfect shape & size? Well, this will depend on more than just the number of people using it. Factors like room dimensions, seating comfort, and the type of meetings you host will all come into play when shopping around.
This is where we can help.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the essentials of conference tables - what they are, what they're used for, and how to choose the ideal shape and size for your space.
What Is a Conference Table and What Are They Used For?
In simple terms, a conference table is a large, central piece of furniture designed for group meetings, discussions, and collaborative work in professional settings (boardrooms, meeting rooms and general office spaces).
These tables are designed to fit multiple people comfortably and some may even feature built-in technology like power outlets, cable management, or video conferencing equipment to support efficient communication and presentations.
Due to the large surface area, participants can gather, share ideas, and review materials, all in one place.
Are Conference and Meeting Tables the Same Thing?
Conference and meeting tables are very similar in terms of their purpose, but they slightly differ when it comes to size and design.
Typically speaking, conference tables are a larger and more formal type of surface, designed for boardrooms or executive spaces where large groups gather for presentations and important discussions. In terms of size, they usually accommodate more people (anywhere from 6 to 20 individuals) and, as mentioned above, may include built-in tech like power outlets or screens for presentations.
Meeting tables on the other hand are generally smaller (seating between 4 to 8 people) and used for casual everyday team discussions and brainstorming sessions, and often found in smaller meeting rooms or collaborative spaces.
Looking for large tables for your organisation? Shop our wide range of high-quality conference and meeting tables on our website, all available with an impressive 10 year guarantee for complete peace of mind.
Depending on the model, we can also manufacture our height adjustable tables to meet your exact requirements. To bring your unique design to life, email us at sales@friskadesk.com.
The Different Types of Conference Tables
Conference tables come in a number of different shapes and sizes, the most common shapes including circular, square, rectangular, racetrack, and boat-shaped tables.
Each of these unique shapes offer distinct features and capacities to suit different room sizes and functionalities.
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Circular tables - These rounded tables are ideal for small group discussions and promoting equality within a group. As there is no head or foot of the table, participation is actively encouraged.
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Square tables: These are similar to the above in terms of offering a collaborative environment and equal seating positions, and great for small to medium-sized meetings.
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Rectangular tables: Rectangular tables can accommodate a larger number of individuals around the surface, and are most commonly used for board meetings, client presentations, and formal gatherings.
Browse our range of quality rectangular standing conference tables, such as the Trosa Adjustable Conference Table or the Solna Adjustable Conference Table (featuring bluetooth control).
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Racetrack tables: This type of table features rounded ends and a longer rectangular shape, offering a modern and sleek look to a room. Due to their size they provide ample seating opportunities and are suitable for both formal and informal settings.
- Boat-shaped tables: Known for their distinctive curved design, this type of table provides clear sightlines for all meeting participants, and are particularly useful for presentations and large group discussions, ensuring everyone can clearly see and engage without straining their necks.
The Solna Adjustable Conference Table is a fantastic conference table, featuring height adjustable controls, Bluetooth and a maximum load is 160kg, comfortably enough for the heaviest board meeting.
What Size Conference Table Do I Need?
There are a few factors that come into play when determining the best size for your new conference table, such as the circumference of the room, how many people you intend to fit around it and seating arrangements. Let’s look at these in a little more detail…
To determine the ideal size conference table, you need to consider:
1.Size of the Conference Room
Firstly, you need to understand the size of the room you’re working with. There’s no point in choosing a large conference table if the room can't accommodate it comfortably.
So, measure your room dimensions and subtract space for chairs, walking paths, and any additional furniture in the room. You want to ensure there is at least 6 feet of clearance on all sides of the table so that people can move around the room comfortably while people are seated, without bumping into anything.
For example, a six-person table that’s 6x3 feet would need a room that’s at least 12x9 feet.
2. How Many People You Intent to Fit
Once you’ve determined the dimensions of your room size and calculated the maximum size of your table, it’s just as important to figure out the minimum capacity of the table.
Most conference tables are approximately 30 inches high, yet there’s a wide variety of lengths and widths available in order to accommodate a variety of individuals.
Here’s a breakdown of the minimum table dimensions, depending on the size of your team:
- 8 people - 8 x 4 ft
- 10 people - 10 x 4 ft
- 12 people - 14 x 4 ft
If you need some more help determining the ideal size of your conference table, give our experts a call on 020 8064 0600. We’d love to help!
3. Seating Arrangements
The final, yet super important factor you need to think about are the seating arrangements.
If you want to be as economical as possible, the general rule of thumb is that there can be 30” of space for each seated team member. However, if people will be using their laptops and documents while at the table, you may want to give everyone at least 42 inches of table space, so that they can comfortably use their tech and materials.
It’s also important to understand that different types of seating arrangements, such as boardroom-style or U-shaped layouts, can affect the ease of interaction and visibility. For this reason, you must ensure that everyone has a clear line of sight to presentations, screens, or other participants.
At Friska Desk, we’re proud to say that there is a 10 year warranty on all of our products, including chairs, standing desks and accessories, and our customer service representatives are available 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday via our enquiry form or 020 8064 0600.
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We hope this blog has provided you with valuable insights and considerations to guide your office chair decision-making process. Check out our wide range of ergonomic office chairs on our website, as well as our award winning standing desks and accessories.
For more tips and insights into the world of office furniture, check out our standing desk news page.