The Beginners Guide To Conference Room Remodeling
Posted by OfficeAnything on Oct 5th 2018
Step 1: Space Planning
First things first, you've got to properly measure your space. All successful office remodeling projects start with proper space planning. If you skip this step, you'll just be rolling the dice and hoping for the best. Start obtaining the perimeter dimensions of your conference room. Be sure to take note of all entry ways, power outlets, windows, and room obstructions that will affect the way your components are situated. Once complete, sketch out your space on paper and make a few copies. Try drawing in a few layout ideas to see what will work best for your business in terms of flow and functionality.
Step 2: Get Inspired
You don't want to rush out and buy the first conference table you see. All good designers get inspired before their projects! Start by visiting a furniture showroom in your area. This will give you a good idea on pricing and the pieces needed to complete your space. Take your quest for inspiration online. Social sharing sites like Pinterest and Instagram are invaluable when looking for good ideas to incorporate into your project.
Step 3: Set A Budget
Remodeling a conference room can be very expensive if you're not careful. Right about now, you're probably wondering how much it will cost to complete the job. Don't worry, we've got you covered. Shoppers typically choose an 8 to 10' conference table depending on their needs. They'll also need between 6 to 10 chairs, a wall cabinet, and presentation board. All in, most conference room remodeling projects cost between $2500.00 and $5000.00. Set a budget for your business before you start shopping.
4 Ways To Maximize Your Conference Room Remodeling Budget:
- Select furniture from a full service collection. This will cut down on shipping costs and time while helping you avoid mix-matching components from various brands.
- Find free shipping. There's plenty of furniture providers out there (like us) that are willing to absorb shipping costs to earn your business.
- Buy out of state. We know it's important to shop local, but conference room furniture is pretty expensive. If you buy online from an out of state vendor you won't have to pay sales tax. The savings can be substantial on a big project.
- Inquire about bulk discount pricing. If you're purchasing a new table, chairs, and accessories or your space, the order may qualify for extra savings. Contact your dealer direct about quantity deals and ways to save. You might just get yourself a coupon code!
Step 4: Select Your Table
Now it's time for the fun stuff! When selecting a new conference table for your space, the first question you need to ask is: How many people do I need to host? On average you'll want to allow for 3 feet of table space per person. For example, a 12' long conference table can comfortably accommodate 4 people per side and 1 addition person on each end of the table. We also recommend selecting a table with basic power options. Having inputs on the surface of your table really come in handy during meetings. Today's conference tables with USB inputs have really become an industry standard.
Popular Conference Table Collections:
- Zira by Global
- Medina by Mayline
- Amber by Cherryman Industries
- Superior Laminate by Offices To Go
- Series C by Bush Business Furniture
Step 5: Select Your Chairs
The conference room seating you select will play a key role in visitor comfort and the amount of operating space available. We highly recommend skipping overstuffed executive style conference chairs if you're tight on space (which most businesses are). Opting for sleek Euro style conference chairs will help you create a fashionable space that's on trend without sacrificing comfort. You might also consider going with flip seat nesting chairs like those found in commercial training areas. They're very supportive, less expensive, and offer space saving benefits that can't be overlooked.
Popular Conference Seating Lines:
- Accord by Global
- Valore by Mayline
- Eon by Cherryman Industries
- Flip by Eurotech Seating
- Joplin by Woodstock Marketing
Step 6: Accessorize
No conference room is complete without a few key accessories. Enhance your space with components designed to improve productivity and appeal. We recommend starting with a wall cabinet to keep your important presentation materials well organized. The wall cabinet can also be used as a food and beverage station for guests. From there you'll want to consider a white board cabinet or mobile presentation board. They come in handy when good ideas are being tossed around. Last but not least, consider installing a smart TV to help with multi-media presentations. When it comes to conference room accessorizing, start small. You don't need to over do-it. Meeting areas can tend to feel overcrowded when too many components are added.
Step 7: Shipping & Installation
The most difficult part of your project will be the shipping and installation portion. The good news is, it's really not that bad if you plan ahead. Once your furniture is ordered, work with your dealer to determine a ship date. This will give you a window of time to prep your space by removing old furniture, patching walls, and painting.
On the day your furniture is scheduled to ship, call to obtain tracking information. This will help you guide in your furniture. You'll probably want to enlist the help of at-least 4 people including yourself to help with off-load and assembly.
Don't bring all of the big boxes into your space. Create an open area to stage components. Bring them into your conference room one-at-a-time for assembly. This will avoid overcrowding your space. Slowly piece together your conference room as envisioned. Before you know it, you'll be up and running.
Conference table assembly is pretty basic. You'll pretty much be attaching the legs to the top and flipping the table over. Seating assembly will seem daunting at first, but it's really not too bad. The first chair will take you around 30 minutes to assemble, but after that you'll have a better understanding of how to do it and assembly will speed up. Have basic tools on hand to help will assembly. A furniture dolly, cordless drill, screwdrivers, and allen wrenches are a must.