Choosing the Perfect Conference Table for Your Workspace

A conference table is the heart of your workspace. Its aim is to make productivity and collaboration feel like a breeze by providing a clear, inspiring space for your team to put their heads together. A good conference table is not just a piece of furniture; it's your go-to spot for team gatherings and brainstorming sessions. 

Whether it's a classic boardroom setup or a modular design, your conference table sets the stage for face-to-face interactions that spark creativity and open communication. Picture it as a friendly hub where ideas flow, decisions get made, and everyone feels comfortable and engaged. 

So, when choosing your meeting room table, it’s important to think about building a space which brings your team together with a dash of friendliness and a lot of productivity. There’s a lot to consider in terms of material, size, shape, formation, and style - so keep reading to find out how to choose the perfect conference table for your workspace.

Classic Boardroom Tables

This traditional conference table design provides a large shared space perfect for collaboration and productivity. All participants face each other with plenty of room for laptops, taking notes, and group discussion. The table can be used however needed - for example, brainstorming sessions can utilise the space by spreading out post-it notes or flipchart paper, allowing ideas to be shared and organised. A screen can be situated at the head of the table for presentation purposes, with a classic boardroom table allowing everyone a good view.

Boardroom tables come in many different shapes and sizes, such as:

• Rectangular conference tables, which are particularly versatile and can accommodate a range of meeting sizes. These tables are more on the formal side.
• Oval conference tables combine the formality of a rectangular conference table with a more inclusive and collaborative shape. Whilst still sleek, the lines of an oval table aren’t as harsh. However, you can lose some table space where the corners are rounded.
• Racetrack conference tables are similar in shape to oval tables, with rounded ends and a longer, more streamlined body to create a sophisticated, polished look. 
• Round conference tables encourage a more intimate and collaborative environment, ideal for smaller groups and discussions between team members.
• Square conference tables are also better for smaller meetings, and can offer an ideal table solution where space is limited.

Modular Tables

Many conference tables actually come with a modular design, enabling them to be used to fit the varying needs of a business. These modular conference tables come in many different designs and sizes, but are often rectangular and can be arranged into a variety of formations including the classic boardroom style as described above.

Other popular modular conference table formations include:

• Classroom conference tables are ideal for seminars or other meetings with a main speaker, often accompanied by a presentation and with learning as the main objective. This format allows for independent working or collaboration in pairs, depending on table size.
  
  
• Horseshoe conference tables are also ideal for seminars with a main speaker or presentation, and allow the speaker to utilise the space in the middle of the horseshoe to keep everyone engaged. This layout facilitates discussion by allowing every participant to face one another.
• Banquet conference tables are great for collaboration in smaller groups, whether the occupants are part of the same overall meeting or their own specific meetings. These tables work well for team building and group discussions.

Eco-friendly Conference Tables made from Reclaimed Wood

Sustainability and our impact on the environment is something many businesses are becoming increasingly conscious of. The second you start looking for a new conference table, you’ll find you’re inundated with options, many of which offer a quick and cheap solution to your needs but are made from materials which can break easily and aren’t entirely recyclable. 

In general, wood is one of the more sustainable options for a conference table, but we also have to take into account deforestation and the impact this has on the environment too. On top of that, about 5 million tonnes of waste wood is generated every year in the UK, and until recently, the majority of that waste wood ended up in landfills. This is where it rots, releasing methane - one of the greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change.

100% of our handmade furniture is made from carefully selected, genuine reclaimed wood. The process of reclaiming timber keeps perfectly good wood out of landfill and reduces the demand for newly sourced timber, which in turn reduces the need for deforestation. Woods such as oak are extremely long-lasting, not only making reclaimed wood furniture a fantastic sustainable option for your wooden conference table, but a sensible investment as well.

Factors to Consider when Choosing a Conference Table

Space and Room Layout

Before you can buy the perfect conference table for your room, you first need to understand the dimensions, features, and limits of the space. Start by taking measurements, taking into consideration how much space is needed to fit chairs around the table, as well as any doors, windows or other elements which can impact how much usable space is available. 

Your conference room may also include other furniture, such as a screen or projector, storage, or sofas. These can impact the ideal size of your conference table, as it’s important for the entire table to have adequate walking space around it. You should also consider the location of any power outlets and how those using the table will access them, for example, to charge their devices.

If you’re lucky enough to have a large space for your conference table, this doesn’t mean the biggest table possible is the right one for you. Consider how many people will be using the table and how often, and think about using some of the space for another purpose - for example, providing a second, more casual meeting area with comfortable seating and a coffee table. If you have a small team, an overly large conference table can negatively impact communication and collaboration. 

Seating Capacity

That brings us nicely to this next consideration - how many seats do you actually need around your conference table in order for it to fit your needs?

Think about how you’ll be using the table. Do you often host large team meetings, or will the table be used more for meetings with clients? It’s generally better to go for more seating than less, as it’s much easier to use just part of the table than to huddle around with mismatched chairs from the rest of the office. If your space is more limited, you can choose a narrow design to allow for more seating space, like in the image below.

You can also fit more people around your conference table by choosing a sleeker chair design, without bulky arm rests. Foldable or stackable chairs can also help you utilise your space by allowing you to customise the number of seats around the table for smaller or larger meetings.

It’s important to consider how much room each person has when sat at the conference table - a general rule of thumb is to allow about 75cm of table width per person. This gives you room for things such as laptops and means you can take notes without bumping elbows with the person next to you. 

Technology Integration

We’ve mentioned the importance of considering where the power outlets are in your conference room before deciding on a table. If the nature of your business means your conference table will often be used with laptops or other devices, think about including built-in cable management solutions such as grommets (pictured below). Combined with thoughtfully placed extension leads, these can minimise the amount of wires spread across your table, maximising space and making it look much neater. Tidy space, tidy mind!

Aesthetics

If you’re investing in a conference table, chances are you’ll be using it as your base of operations for a lot of different things. Whether it’s a brainstorming session with the team or a project pitch with a client, it’s important that your conference room reflects your overall company identity, whether you need something sleek and minimalist or rustic and warm. Even subconsciously, this will help build the correct image of your brand in the eyes of your clients and will put your team in the right mindset for productivity.

Conference Table Customisation and Personalisation

No two conference rooms are the same, which means there’s a huge benefit in having a bespoke meeting room table made for you. Not only will you be able to customise your conference table to your exact specifications (no matter how odd), you’ll be able to choose the finishing touches of the design to make it uniquely yours. 

As a material, real wood is full of distinct characteristics which makes each piece of furniture different to the next. This includes the grain of the wood, the colour, and the hardness. Reclaimed wood takes this to another level, as not only does the furniture showcase the life of the tree, it also reveals the history of the planks when they were used before we reclaimed them.

Materials

Choosing the right wood for your bespoke conference table is important, especially if your table will be used daily. Robust hardwoods such as ash, oak and walnut are ideal for particularly high traffic areas, as they are more durable than softwoods like pine. However, as the table will be in a professional environment, rather than in the home or in a restaurant where spills are common, pine is a less expensive option which still offers a high level of durability.

The type of wood you choose has a huge impact on the overall style of the table. Pine is characterised by its light colour and visible grain, and its relatively soft nature allows for intricate detailing. Ash is similarly pale in colour, whilst oak takes on warmer hues, and walnut brings a sense of luxury with its rich, dark tones.

There is also the option of mixing a wooden tabletop with a metal frame or legs for added contrast. This can also be a good space-saving option, as these frames tend to take up less space than chunky wooden table legs.

Finishes

Wood stains are a fantastic way to easily transform the look and feel of your bespoke conference table. At The Bespoke Carpentry Co., we offer the following stains:
Cool-toned finishes like the Belgium Grey conference table can make your space look modern, sleek, and sophisticated. Darker stains, like walnut and dark oak, pair well with light, bright soft furnishings which add a layer of depth and contrast to your conference room.

As well as changing the colour of your wooden conference table, you can also opt for a live edge wooden table to create a more rustic or industrial look.

For more ideas and inspiration regarding your table’s finish, view our full Finish & Colour Guide as well as our Guide to Stained Wood Furniture.

Maintenance and Durability

A high quality, bespoke wooden conference table can be a sizable investment. However, wood is a wonderfully durable material, especially when properly finished and maintained. 

At The Bespoke Carpentry Co., we only use the highest quality wood and long-lasting finishes to ensure your furniture pieces are water resistant and durable against constant use to ensure your conference table lasts as long as you need it to.

To properly maintain your wooden conference table, make sure you avoid using any harsh chemicals or materials when cleaning, as these can damage the wood. Instead, gently wash your boardroom table with warm soapy water. If necessary, take a wood cleaner and cloth and wipe the furniture down, removing any dirt or markings.

We finish all our handmade wooden furniture in a hard wax oil layer before it leaves our workshop, and we recommend reapplying this every 6 months to ensure the quality and finish of your conference table is maintained. 

The hard wax oil creates a water-resistant protective layer to the furniture, ensuring that any spillages can be easily wiped away with a lightly dampened cloth, and is available in 5 colours to perfectly match the original stain on your bespoke furniture. 

Handmade Wooden Conference Tables from The Bespoke Carpentry Co.

Here at The Bespoke Carpentry Co. we offer an extensive range of solid wood furniture that celebrates the beauty and uniqueness of natural materials. Each piece is meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans who take pride in their work, ensuring you get a product that not only looks stunning but also stands the test of time. Each piece is made-to-order, which means we can create the furniture according to your specific dimensions - whether you’re going to adhere to the standard heights or not!

The Bespoke Carpentry Co. offers a wide array of solid wood furniture including:

• Dining tables
• Coffee tables
• Desks & Conference tables
• TV Stands
• Outdoor Furniture
• Shelves & Shelving Units
• And much more!

Browse our range of solid wood furniture online today or alternatively get in touch to discuss your furniture requirements with our friendly and knowledgeable team.