The conference room design is where crucial ideas are exchanged, collaboration occurs, and decisions are made. As hybrid work becomes more common, this important space should be optimized for a variety of purposes and meeting styles.
Consider moving away from a traditional boardroom style setup that uses long rectangular tables with seats surrounding them. This visual can be distracting and inhibit communication between team members.
Colors
A conference room’s color is more than just a design choice; it impacts the ambiance of the space and the purpose of the meetings. The right color enhances productivity and conveys the desired company image.
A neutral color like white or gray is an ideal option for a conference room because it creates a background that allows furniture and other decorations to shine without overpowering the space. Neutral colors also complement any existing company branding and logo, reinforcing consistency and brand identity.
Warm colors such as orange encourage creativity and energy in collaborative environments, while dark green promotes calmness for discussions and presentations. A light yellow offers a sense of freshness and renewal for brainstorming sessions. Purple can represent luxury, ambition and creative inspiration, making it an appropriate hue for creative workshops or projects.
Lighting
Lighting plays a critical role in conference room design, improving visibility and overall AV experience. The right lighting enhances the mood and ambiance of the space, and can also help to reduce eye strain among participants.
Conference rooms, by nature, are larger spaces designed to host presentations and events with large audiences. They often feature prominent projectors and require a significant amount of lighting to illuminate the space.
Ensure that the lights in your conference room are well positioned to eliminate shadows on the face of attendees during video meetings. Install dimmers to enable you to adjust lighting levels according to meeting requirements. For example, brainstorming sessions may benefit from softer lighting that can encourage creativity, while formal presentations might require more focused illumination.
Seating
The layout and seating options for your conference room are important considerations to ensure your attendees have the best possible experience. The layout should be based on your planned functions and capacity, including the number of participants and the types of sessions you’ll have.
The most important seats in the conference room are those at the head and foot of the table. These seats are considered to have the most power in a discussion because they offer easy visibility for those speaking and the clearest line of vision to the rest of the attendees. The seats directly to the right and left of these power and opposition seats are also highly valued because they are seen as supportive allies of whoever is in that seat.
Technology
A well-designed conference room promotes productivity, collaboration, and effective communication among meeting attendees. A thoughtfully arranged layout with ergonomic furniture and integrated technology fosters creativity and maximizes comfort during long meetings.
Advanced conference room technology improves meeting efficiency with streamlined scheduling and digital displays. Smart devices and automation systems make the space adaptable to various formats and help meeting organizers avoid technical delays.
Acoustic features like sound absorbing panels prevent echoing or dead spots and ensure that every attendee is clearly heard. Visibility is also essential; ensuring that participants can see whiteboards and screens without straining. Incorporated green initiatives encourage sustainability and a commitment to environmental responsibility. Large windows maximize natural light, and indoor plants boost air quality and add a natural element to the room.
Streaming and Hybrid Meetings
Many meetings are hybrid these days, with participants tuning in from home or halfway across the world. That means conference room design must be flexible enough to accommodate these new realities.
For example, huddle spaces that focus on smaller groups can be more comfortable for attendees who will be teleconferencing in. And curved or circular tables offer better sightlines to the display and camera to make remote participants feel engaged in the discussion.
Finally, eco-conscious options such as reclaimed wood and bamboo can reduce the demand for raw materials while offering a stylish appearance. Acoustic solutions like sound masking can also help reduce distractions and maintain a focussed environment during meetings. And stable internet is essential to ensure a smooth and high-quality video and audio experience.