If you’re hosting a meeting, one of the most important considerations is the meeting room layout. An optimum layout will help everybody in the room see the presentation screen and hear the main speaker while sitting comfortably and feeling engaged.
At Order Office Furniture, we understand the importance of having sturdy office desks and chairs, especially when it comes to important meetings. In this blog, we’ve got 7 boardroom setup ideas that you can take inspiration from to create a more practical workspace.
Let’s get into it!
Why do you need an effective boardroom meeting setup?
A boardroom layout is the set up of chairs and tables within a conference room or space. An effective conference room setup contributes to a positive atmosphere for collaboration, inspiring creativity, and improving overall business performance and productivity! If you generate a great meeting experience, then you can expect better relationships which could lead to a more successful business.
However, an effective boardroom setup depends on the size and style of your meeting, so bear this in mind before investing in a meeting table and chairs.
What are the impacts of an ineffective meeting room setup?
Did you know that an ineffective meeting room setup can have a surprisingly significant impact on the overall success and productivity of the meeting? If participants can’t see the presentation clearly, can’t easily interact with each other, or are physically uncomfortable then they are less likely to be engaged and want to participate. This can also lead to distractions, side conversations, and a severe lack of focus.
We recommend investing in ergonomic office chairs and other comfortable office furniture to ensure that everyone is comfortable and can focus better. Uncomfortable seating, as well as a cramped room or inadequate lighting, can lead to frustration and discomfort, with most people wanting the meeting to be over before it’s even started!
7 boardroom setup ideas for productive meetings
You now know the importance of a good meeting room setup, so are you
ready to find out about the most effective boardroom setup ideas? Let’s have a look at them in a bit more detail…
1. Boardroom style
First up on the list is the boardroom style, one of the most popular meeting room styles to date. This consists of a small group of people sitting around a large executive meeting table, and an interactive whiteboard or alternative is usually placed on one of the walls. This type of meeting would usually be led by one or two people, but those sitting down should be willing to participate.
It’s an ideal set-up for more formal meetings, executive sessions, and decision-making discussions in which collaboration is needed.
2. U-shaped style
Another popular meeting room design is the U-shape. Ideal for smaller discussions, it involves a small group of people sitting around tables in a U-shape or horseshoe formation. A speaker usually stands at the open end of the U shape and delivers a presentation or a talk. This design is great for note taking, formal meetings, or informal collaborations. You can easily move the shape and conference chairs around once the meeting has finished.
Although the speaker traditionally stands at the top, the U shape means that all participants face each other and can easily enter into a discussion. This also works well for companies with remote workers, as they can join the meeting virtually via an interactive display.
3. Theatre style
Just as you’d think of a trip to the theatre, this layout can also be classed as an auditorium style. This boardroom setup is perfect for maximising seating capacity and allowing a large number of listeners. Chairs are usually arranged in rows that face a stage or screen, where a speaker is usually standing to deliver the meeting and lead the conversation.
This is an ideal setup for larger presentations, conferences, or events where attendees don’t need to collaborate or engage in small group discussions.
4. Banquet style
As you’d expect in a wedding or other special event, a banquet style meeting features several large round meeting tables with participants sitting on chairs surrounding them. This type of meeting is often casual and great for networking events, as participants are likely to chat with others at their table. It could even involve food and drink encouraging further socialising.
There may be a speaker, panel, or presentation at the front of the room, but networking is probably the main purpose with the focus being on the people sitting around the tables. This can be the ideal boardroom setup for team-building sessions, meals, or events that require large groups of people to break off into smaller groups.
5. Classroom style
The classroom layout is similar to the theatre style but with access to small meeting tables as well as chairs. Each table should face a visual focus point, such as a screen or whiteboard. The access to a table makes it easy to take notes or place other items that they will need throughout the day. A speaker may stand at the front of the room and deliver a presentation.
This boardroom setup is ideal for lectures, training sessions, or presentations where the focus is on the speaker while participants take notes and listen. It’s worth noting that interaction and group discussions are quite limited in this setup style.
6. Cabaret style
Like a banquet style, this meeting room setup consists of groups of people sitting on smaller, round tables. However, the main difference between the banquet and cabaret style is that participants will usually sit at the back of the table and watch a presentation or speaker at the front of the room. The cabaret style is typically a bit more formal than a banquet style - it may be more focused on the speaker or the panel and less on the table participants, meaning that it’s less collaborative.
However, collaboration and interaction can still be encouraged among those who sit at the same table while maintaining a focused attention towards the front of the room.
7. Conference style
Finally on our list of boardroom setup ideas is the conference style. Similar to a boardroom style, this setup consists of participants sitting around a conference table, usually in the shape of an oval. This is ideal for smaller, more intimate groups where discussion and participation are encouraged. Face-to-face interaction is always an added bonus when it comes to collaboration.
This setup is ideal for board meetings, team meetings, and other gatherings where active participation and dialogue are essential. A shared space allows for brainstorming, problem-solving, and collaborative decision making.
Which boardroom setup is best suited to a presentation style meeting?
A presentation style meeting is usually a larger meeting with an interactive display at the front, with rows of people facing the presentation and speaker. Therefore, you might be best with a theatre style layout. However, if you are presenting a smaller meeting, you might use the boardroom or U-shaped style, ensuring that everybody can easily see the interactive display and listen properly.
Office furniture made simple at Order Office Furniture
Hopefully, this blog has given you plenty of boardroom setup ideas that you can use for your next meeting. From lectures to banquets, there are plenty of meeting room layouts that will help to maximise productivity and ensure that employees are absorbing information effectively. Remember, Order Office Furniture is the place to go for all your office essentials, helping to create a space that you love.
For more information, please get in touch. A member of our team will be more than happy to get back to you - give us a call on 01484 420 088, or come and see our furniture in person by visiting our showroom in Huddersfield.
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