The Different Shapes of Conference Tables
Conference room tables come in a variety of shapes and sizes. There’s so many different types of meetings and spaces for them that brands make an assortment of them to ensure that every office has a conference table to fit their needs. At Madison Liquidators, we carry five conference table shapes for our customers. There are square conference tables, round conference tables, rectangular conference tables, racetrack conference tables, and boat shaped conference tables on the online marketplace. We will be looking at each type to see their strengths and how they fit within the office space to set a foundational meeting space for your business. Each shape is different from the next and this guide will help you understand the uses of each. Square Conference Table Square conference tables are obviously a four equally sided configuration. However, they are extremely versatile for the reason that they are almost always a small design for four people. Now you may be wondering how a small design can be versatile, well it’s not always the design that allows for innovation, sometimes it’s the size. Perfect for a startup with a small staff for a primary meeting space, or in a large Fortune 500 company’s executive office for their own personal meeting space, the square conference table can be set anywhere there’s a need for a gathering. Sometimes a square conference table is a necessity because the meeting space is so limited, and sometimes they are a luxury because the personal office is large enough to contain its own intimate meeting area. Bonus-Large Square Conference Table There’s always an exception to the rule, Madison Liquidators does carry a large square conference table that seats eight people. It measures 96” x 96” and is considered a double wide square conference table. It also has two larger sizes that take the rectangular conference table shape. Additional Conference Table Resources
Round Conference Table Everything I said about a square model can be applied to a round conference table. However, round conference tables also have a natural step up in size that you don’t typically see with a square model. Usually, you won’t see a round conference table made to seat more than eight people because once they start increasing in size, they start eating up a lot of square footage. So, the question in my mind that sets the square and round conference tables apart is do you want a table head or do you want everyone to appear as equals? Maybe it’s just flashbacks to me as a child playing with my plastic sword but anytime I see a round conference table, I think of the Knights of the Round Table. You know the story I’m sure, King Arthur made a table for him and his knights so that there was no one sitting as the head of the table, a place where they understood, they were all equal. Only with a round conference table can you accomplish this. Perhaps a little more versatile than a square option, the round conference table can fit in many office space needs. Rectangular Conference Table Now let’s move into the larger options and to begin we take a look at the typical rectangular conference table. You take the square version and you lengthen two sides and boom new shape it becomes a rectangular shaped conference table! Not sure the exclamation point was actually needed but here we are… Rectangular conference tables are the standard when it comes to this type of office furniture. Madison Liquidators has rectangular conference table sizes to seat between eight and twenty-four people. But more than that, if you have a larger need and must use a modular configuration with multiple tables placed together for more seating, it will almost always be a rectangular conference table to get you there. Like I said, the rectangular conference table is the standard design within most offices. They allow the conference room to seat a large amount of people compared to the previous two entries which necessitates such a design. From here we will look at the two “upscale” conference table designs. Racetrack Conference Table The racetrack conference table is a twist on a rectangular design in that it takes the corners and rounds them creating an elongated oval design. From above, it looks like a racetrack layout with long straightaways and sharp corners on the short ends, hence the name. They are used in an office space where the conference table is the focal point. They take the round concepts and expand them with a racetrack conference table. Perfect for a meeting space that needs to have a professional setting with an anchor point in the middle. Like the rectangular models found on the online marketplace of Madison Liquidators, racetrack conference tables also seat between eight and twenty-four people. Personally, of the two “upscale” designs, I view the racetrack conference table as the elegant design, while the other I consider the sophisticated one. Speaking of the other one… Boat Shaped Conference Table. Boat shaped conference tables take the idea of the racetrack and invert it. Instead of rounded corners, the long ends are flared. From above, this shape looks like an old time dingy, or if you’re from the south like I am, a flat bottom boat so they earn their name honestly. The thing that makes the boat shaped conference table stand out so much is that those flared ends allow everyone sitting at the table a better view of each other than any other conference table design. It enhances the meeting with just a small design change. Most often found in executive board rooms, boat shaped conference tables are still found in all types of meeting areas. With the ability to seat between eight and twenty-four people, finding the right size will not be hard. Like I said earlier, the boat shaped conference table is the sophisticated design style. They are the absolute focal point of the meeting room, so if you want a statement piece to gather around, select a boat shaped conference table. Final ThoughtsWhen it comes time for you to purchase a new conference table, you have five shapes with many size options and I didn’t even get into finishes that really expand your choices. Basically, what I hope to accomplish with all of this is to help you find the best office furniture for your meeting area. So, remember, small four person meeting spaces are perfect for a square conference table. The same can be said for a round conference table as well but they can get a little bigger and double the capacity. For meetings of eight or more, the standard is a rectangular conference table. Whereas if you want an upscale elegant appearance to your meeting area, the racetrack conference table will give you that look. While the boat shaped conference table will give you the sophistication of a modern look. The choice is yours, there is no wrong answer as long as it meets your needs. Should you need assistance with anything office furniture related, give us a call today at 888-831-1012. boat shaped conference, boat shaped conference table, conference, conference table, rectangular conference table, round conference, round conference table, square, square conference table, table
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