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Choosing the Perfect Boardroom Chairs for Your Meeting Space
Boardroom vs Meeting rooms – what is the right chair? The answer is not that straight forward and depends on various factors.
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About the author:
John Karle
Director
(Specialisation: Product and Market Development, Operations & Ergonomics)
“What boardroom chairs do you have?” or “Which conference chairs would you recommend for our boardroom?” The answer to these important questions is not as straightforward as one might hope. The term Boardroom has evolved into a somewhat generic term which can carry different meanings depending on who you ask. For some, it may evoke thoughts of formal meetings and high-stakes discussions, while for others, it might simply refer to any place where gatherings occur. Chairs designed for “meeting” or “conference” rooms are often included under this broad umbrella referred to as “boardroom."
Choosing the right boardroom chairs is more than just about looks - comfort, function, and style all play a role. But with so many options, how do you decide?
Let's explore the differences and how they can impact your choices.
Origins of the “Boardroom”
The term “board” originated around the 16th Century, referring to the piece of wood that Council members gathered around.
From these beginnings, the Boardroom represents power, prestige, and authority. Boardroom chairs may vary in style, with options for wheels or fixed frames, and are available in diverse materials like wood, leather, and chrome.
The 3 Important Questions to Consider before buying Boardroom Chairs
1. What is the purpose of your Boardroom?
Not all boardrooms serve the same function. Understanding HOW the space will be used, WHO will be using it, and for HOW LONG the sessions typically last, will greatly assist you in selecting the right type of chairs.
- Formal executive meetings: If your boardroom is reserved for high-level strategic discussions, opt for high-back executive chairs that exude professionalism and provide superior comfort for long sessions. Suitable seating includes ergonomic office chairs and conventional leather chairs.
- Collaborative meetings and brainstorming sessions: A more casual setting may benefit from lightweight, ergonomic chairs that allow flexibility and movement. In these meetings, participants are typically highly involved in the discussions and may even get up from their chairs to move around the room to discuss concepts and ideas. Very often, these meetings last several hours so comfortable ergonomic seating is a definite "must-have".
- Multi-purpose meeting spaces: If the room serves various functions, consider stackable or modular chairs that can be easily reconfigured. In such instances, basic office or visitor or training room chairs are a good option.
2. How long do your meetings typically last?
- For long duration and intense meetings or conferences where attendees use laptops and other mobile devices, adjustable ergonomic chairs are the preferred choice. These chairs provide superior comfort for anyone spending several hours sitting down. Furthermore, because these chairs are highly adjustable, individual users can adjust them to suit their seated preferences. Why a fully adjustable chair is important
- For infrequent and short-duration meetings that last no longer than an hour or so, visitor or training room chairs are a common choice. These chairs provide adequate short-term comfort and are often stackable to allow them to be packed away when not in use.
- In some cases meeting are very short, lasting less than 10-15 minutes. For example, Lean production meetings where participants typically stand and either no chairs are provided, or people use a sit/stand or similar seat.
3. How big is the boardroom and how much space is there for the chairs?
Planning furniture requirements is easier for new developments. For an existing boardroom, determining how much space is available will assist in selecting the most suitable chairs. For typical boardroom installations, see our Project Portfolio where we showcase various options.
Once you have defined the type and function of your Boardroom, selecting the chairs becomes a whole lot easier.
Types of Boardroom Chairs: Which One is Right for You?
1. Traditional Boardrooms
The term “Boardroom” is more old school. It is typically a room where a group of people meet on a planned regular basis, for example the Board of the company or organisation. Traditionally, the boardroom would have a large wooden desk located in the centre with large puffy chairs surrounding the table. The décor often includes paintings on the walls, a counter for making coffee, a bar fridge and an audio-visual system. In a traditional boardroom, the chairs and other fittings are large and luxurious, and aesthetics often outweigh functionality.
In a traditional boardroom, suitable seating includes ergonomic office chairs and conventional leather chairs.
2. Contemporary Boardrooms
Contemporary boardrooms have evolved to be more functional and versatile than their traditional counterparts. In today's business environment, these spaces are not solely designated for the meetings of the board of directors; instead, they serve a myriad of purposes catering to various business needs. Contemporary boardrooms are frequently utilised for meetings involving different business units, facilitating one-on-one conversations, and for meeting with customers and suppliers.
Contemporary boardrooms require a conducive environment complete with a table, comfortable chairs, and an element of privacy to foster productive discussions. Rather than relying solely on the term “boardroom,” modern terminology has expanded to include Meeting and Conference Rooms, as well as Collaboration Spaces.
a. Meeting Rooms
The term Meeting room came to the forefront with the advent of open plan offices. To accommodate staff that needed some privacy, meeting rooms and office pods were born. The room could be just a table and chairs, or include a complete audio-visual setup.
Often the meeting room is located near the open plan offices to allow easy access. Ideally you would want the meeting room to be soundproof, but often they are simply areas cornered off by filing systems or screens to make the required space available.
Meeting rooms require functional and comfortable chair options like Ergonomic office or Training Room Chairs.
b. Conference and Training Rooms
A Conference or Training room is specifically designed to accommodate a larger group of attendees for various purposes, including presentations and educational sessions.
Meeting rooms are often equipped with essential amenities such as tables, conference chairs, advanced audio-visual system, projectors, flip charts, whiteboards, televisions, computers, and various other tools.
Suitable chair options for training rooms include ergonomic office chairs and training room chairs.
c. Collaborative Space or Area
The term Collaborate, meaning working jointly on a project or activity, is the new buzzword and is a term that suggests less formality than “meeting”. Haworth discusses 4 types of Collaborative spaces, namely Inform, Do, Think and Connect. In such cases, seating requirements can be quite different and are often more casual. The term “room” now becomes a space or area.
In a collaborative space, almost any type of chair can be used.
Conclusion
The type of chairs you choose for your Boardroom is very much dependent on the look and feel of the room as well as its intended purpose. In many cases, your boardroom may fulfill several roles, in which case you must decide which is the main role and select the most suitable chairs for that application. For some great ideas, see our Project Portfolio.
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