Boardroom furniture and design

Your boardroom says a lot about you. When board members or clients arrive for the first time, this room, above all others, should make an impact. By definition, it is the very heart of a company, and as such, should have a design that speaks of success, wealth and style.

Architecture, colour and light

Established companies may not have much control over the architecture of the boardroom, but it is important that the physical structure of the room makes a statement in itself. As well as having lots of windows to give both a view and natural light, the ideal boardroom is not simply a bare white cube (unless this minimalist stance is the point). In old buildings, bare brick or stone can give the impression of permanence and history, while cornicing and ornate door frames convey opulence and grandeur.

The colour scheme will often depend on the size of the room and how many other visual features there are. Smaller rooms will need lighter, paler shades to help them look larger and rooms that have a lot of furniture and objects will need a similar ‘blank canvas’ look to provide a suitable backdrop. On the other hand, bold patches of colour can be a focal point in themselves, and it can be useful to create a ‘feature wall’ at one end of the room.

Boardroom furniture

More than any other element in a boardroom, the furniture creates a speedy and lasting impression. Not only is it one of the first things board members, colleagues and clients see as they enter, it has a direct impact while they are sitting around the table. As board meetings and conferences can be lengthy affairs, it is important that the furniture is comfortable and ergonomically designed. The quality of the furniture is a direct representation of the company, and as such should be of good quality in order to convey success.

Traditionally, a boardroom has one large central table around which chairs are placed, but this is not the only design. Circular and U-shaped table layouts allow as much, if not more, communication than the traditional large table layout. What size and footprint of table you choose will depend largely on the size and shape of the space, and the number of chairs that are needed.

In terms of materials, there are a wide range of boardroom and conference tables available, such as those here. These include designs with real wood veneers, giving a classic warmth and richness; the cool ‘transparency’ of glass, perhaps useful for legal firms; and metal touches such as copper and chrome. Chairs could be of elegant, comfortable leather, or bright, colourful upholstery.

Details

Too often, boardrooms are blank spaces that have furniture but little else of interest. This has the danger of making the space, and therefore your company, look bland and uninteresting. Having stylish conference tables and chairs will create the overall look, but details can add character and interest. They make your company look and feel unique, and the nature of the company should be used as inspiration when choosing these finishing touches. A design company could put bold, modern artwork on the walls, whereas the traditional professions might want a more classical look. It is possible to make free-standing or hanging lights a feature, or incorporate plants for a more natural feel. The aim here is balance – a boardroom needs to make an impact, but cannot be cluttered, distracting or disorganised.

Perfect Synergi are a leading supplier of sophisticated and stylish office furniture. They specialise in enhancing workplaces through practical, flexible designs which will ‘wow’ both your employees and your clients. Whether you need space saving solutions or an Italian leather chair, Perfect Synergi can help.