The boardroom may not be a room that is used on a daily basis, but it still remains one of the most important spaces in the office – not only because it is one of the first opportunities that you get to make a good impression on clients, but also because some very important decisions are made here.
This is why everyone should be comfortable in this space. In certain cases, office managers tend to just focus on the needs of the client, but it must be remembered that the boardroom is often used for internal meetings with employees as well, so it should be a space that they also enjoy. It should foster creativity and comfort, and not be intimidating to those who have to do valuable work in it.
Your boardroom board table and chairs should create the impression of professionalism without being too stiff and formal, and the layout should be designed to provide everybody with an unobstructed view of everyone else around the table. A well-designed boardroom can enhance your brand image, provide a welcome atmosphere, and promote a productive space. This leads to a more collaborative audience and a better reception from anyone who finds themselves in this space.
There are two major factors that play a role in the look and feel of your boardroom. Appearance is vital – it has to represent the brand and company culture. The aesthetics should echo everything the brand or company stands for, and should ideally incorporate the company colours and elements of the logo to reinforce the message.
The other important quality of a highly effective boardroom is practicality (or functionality). Ideally, it should contain all the technology and high-tech elements needed for a variety of effective meetings. For instance, microphones, a good sound system, drop-down screens, television monitors, and projectors – to mention but a few. An abundance of hidden electrical points should also be available for laptops and other technology.
Attractive supplementary additions, such as pot plants, decorative items, or paintings can be well placed to make the boardroom seem less boring. These should be tasteful and not visually overwhelming.
Here are some tips on choosing a boardroom table and chairs:
The table is probably the most important part of the boardroom, as it forms the centrepiece of the room. While it should be large enough to accommodate a certain amount of people, it should also not take over or dominate the entire room. People often opt for a boardroom table and matching chairs in dark wood, but with all the new materials available on the market, there is a large variety of tables that could suit the company or the brand much better. Just ensure that the table and chairs create an impression of high quality and reliability – because this is how you want your clients and employees to view your company.
The shape of the table has to suit the room and leave enough space around it for people to move freely. Innovative new designs allow for a large table to be put together like a puzzle, so although it has the appearance of a solid table, it can actually be dismantled and reconstructed into different shapes to suit different amounts of people and layouts.
The shape can also play a role. Traditionally, long rectangular or oval shapes with someone sitting at the head create a feeling of hierarchy, and round tables foster a more collaborative attitude.
When choosing a boardroom table, the chairs are also important. Comfortable seating is always vital because some meetings may carry on for many hours. Spending a long time in a beautiful yet uncomfortable chair can stifle creativity and result in body aches. Ideally, the chairs should be ergonomically designed and spaced far enough from each other for meeting attendees not to bump into each other or rub elbows. There should also be enough spacing for laptops and notes.
Whether you are looking for a boardroom table and chairs or other office furniture, we can help. Our team at Quantum Office Furniture is on standby to provide you with all the tasteful and well-designed items you need for your office.