Buying guide for best conference room tables
Every office needs at least one quality conference table. Ideally, that table would be situated in a separate conference room. This helps create a professional atmosphere free from distractions where you can brainstorm, work out business strategies, and make presentations to clients.
The table is the key component of your conference room, so of course, you’ll want to make sure you invest in the right one. It should have enough room for all the people who normally attend meetings. It should be sturdy, long-lasting, and resistant to scratches and stains. It should also be easy to clean.
There are hundreds of conference tables to choose from. You’ll find a number of configurations, shapes, sizes, and table materials available. Selecting the best one for your company is a serious matter. Our buying guide will assist you in making the right decision. Read on for important information, tips, and product recommendations.
Key considerations
Table configuration and dimensions
You have several choices here. Some tables are long, singular pieces that would be ideal for board meetings and similar events. Some conference tables come in several pieces that can be used separately or joined together. These tables offer flexibility for companies that have a variety of small-group and large-group gatherings.
Some conference room tables are U-shaped. Also known as a “triclinium table,” the U-shaped table is popular because it allows many people sitting on both sides to converse comfortably without amplification.
We can’t discuss table configuration without mentioning table dimensions. A single conference table used for executive meetings should be at least 8 feet long; most are 10 to 12 feet long. Width is normally around 4 feet and sometimes more. Once you get a heavy table like this in place, it should be regarded as a permanent fixture.
If you plan to put conference tables together, end-to-end or at right angles, you’ll likely need a series of smaller tables in the 5- to 6-foot range. These tables tend to stretch somewhere between 3 and 3.5 feet across. Many smaller conference tables are collapsible. They may have folding legs that make them easier to store and transport.
Number of people
The issue of table configuration and dimensions closely relates to how many people you need to seat at the table. Generally speaking, a 6-foot table will seat six people: two on either side and one at each end. A 10-foot table will seat around ten people: four on each side and one at each end.
How many people will be using the table at once on a regular basis? The answer to this question will help you determine how big your table should be.
Room Size
Of course, you shouldn’t buy a table that’s too big for your room. Room size must be carefully considered before you invest in a table. Even an 8-foot table can dominate a small room, leaving you with a claustrophobic feeling that will distract from your meetings. It could also lead to a lot of body heat, making the room too hot.
There should be least 4 feet between the edges of the table and the walls to allow someone to walk around the table when people are sitting at it. If there are side tables or other furniture in the room, allow 4 feet between the edge of the conference table and the furniture.
Features
Table material
High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
This popular plastic is made by stringing many ethylene molecules together, thus the name “poly” (many) “ethylene”. If you look at the bottom of a bottle of laundry detergent and see the number “2” surrounded by a triangle of arrows chasing each other, that’s the resin identification code for HDPE. It is used for conference tables because it is super-strong but also lightweight, allowing for the creation of long tables that weigh a fraction of what a comparable wood or glass table would weigh.
Thermally fused laminate (TFL)
Thermally fused laminate, often referred to as thermally fused melamine or TFM, is a melamine-saturated paper that is then fused onto an underlying surface, such as medium-density fiberboard (MDF). TFL panels are extremely wear- and scratch-resistant. During the construction process, steel press plates create the look and feel of wood grain and control the amount of gloss in the finished product. Using TFL in conference tables helps keep the cost and weight of the table down.
Medium-density fiberboard (MDF)
Many conference tables are made of high-quality MDF, which consists of processed wood chips and resins. The wood chips are ground into fine particles, combined with the resins, and compressed into dense, stable sheets of material.
For your reference, MDF has a density of 600 to 800 kg/square meter. Brazilian cherry and maple have a density of 800 kg/square meter. Therefore, a high-quality MDF will have the same weight as these fine woods. Furthermore, MDF doesn’t crack, warp, or age the way solid wood does, especially in fluctuating temperatures. It’s an excellent choice for a conference table.
Tempered glass
Tempered glass, usually around 5/8-inch in thickness, is a sturdy material for medium-size conference tables. The downside to glass is the weight. It has a density of 2,270kg/square meter, which is nearly three times denser than wood or MDF.
Stainless steel
Conference tables mainly use stainless steel in the frame and/or legs. Often, it is powder-coated black or grey.
Solid wood
Conference tables made of solid wood are rare due to the advent of HDPE, TFL, and MDF. When you do find a wood conference table, it is usually made of hardwood and is generally two or three times more expensive than the alternatives.
Shape
Rectangle: A rectangle is the normal shape for a conference table, where the long side will be anything from 6 feet long up to 18 or 20 feet long.
Boat: A boat-shaped table is one in which the middle of the table is wider than the ends. It has a smooth curve that bows outward in the middle of the table and curves in toward the ends. However, the ends don’t come to a point. The end of a boat table is usually flat and about three feet wide.
Oval: Some oval-shaped conference tables are also called racetrack tables. Racetrack tables have straight sides and rounded ends, like the track around a high school football field. These conference tables tend to be shorter than rectangular and boat-shaped tables.
Sections
The shorter a conference table is, the more likely it is to come in one piece. Maneuvering an 8-foot table through an office can be a challenge, particularly if it’s a heavy table.
The longer a conference table is, the more likely it is to come in two, three, or more sections, each in a separate box. Thus, there will be, as the saying goes, “some assembly required.” If you’re in a small office, you might be doing all the assembly work yourself; keep this in mind as you make your selection.
"Eating at the conference table is generally considered bad etiquette. It’s also unsanitary for the next person."
STAFF
BestReviews
Accessories
Conference room chairs: 2xhome Modern High Back Tall Ribbed Conference Room Chairs
What good is a conference table without chairs? 2Xhome has a good selection of colors in their high-backed chairs. The chairs are tilt-adjustable and height-adjustable swivel chairs on casters with covered armrests.
Tabletop podium: SourceOne Modern Clear Thick Acrylic Podium
Occasionally, you may need a tabletop podium. This thick acrylic one from SourceOne can be used with any style of conference table. At less than 17 pounds, it is easy to move around and store when not in use.
Refreshment cart: Safco Products Impromptu Refreshment Cart
Long meetings require you to keep refreshments close at hand. This wheeled cart from Safeco Products can be brought in from the kitchen or break room as needed. It has double doors for storing cups, plates, and similar. The cherry top has a safety rail to prevent anything from falling off.
Conference room table prices
Inexpensive: The low price range for conference tables runs from $46 to $100. Most of these will be plastic folding tables suitable for arranging in rows or U-shaped configurations.
Mid-range: Over $100 and up to $1,200 is the fairly wide middle price range. However, most “mid-range” tables cost more than $400. These will be traditional-looking conference tables consisting of manmade materials. Some will have a more modern appearance.
Expensive: The high price range is anything over $1200. In fact, you will find some high-end tables that cost $5,500 or even more. This is where you’ll find one-piece 16-foot tables, built-in power modules, signature named furniture, and solid hardwood tables complete with upholstered chairs.
Tips
- Long conference tables are heavy. Constantly moving a table like this risks breaking it from its own weight or hurting yourself by setting it on a foot or straining your back. If possible, find a permanent location for your long conference table.
- Detailed woodwork is beautiful, but in the workplace, simplicity is often key. A sleek, modern table would fit in any office.
- If you have a large conference room, go ahead and get a large conference table to match. There will always come a time when you’ll be glad you did.
FAQ
Q. How important are data and power grommets in a conference table?
A. There’s no perfect answer to that question. It depends on how often people use laptops and other electronic equipment at the table. If there are regularly more than three or four, you should probably consider getting a table with grommets.
Q. Can conference tables be used on carpet?
A. Yes, but after an extended time, the table will leave permanent marks on the carpet.
Q. Which conference table is best for large groups?
A. A U-shaped or triclinium table, with seating around the outside, allows large groups of people to see each other better than most other shapes.
