Shopping for conference tables

The right conference tables can make a great impression on clients and job candidates that visit your office, as well as your employees who use them for everyday meetings. With quality materials, sturdy workmanship, and an attractive appearance, this furniture can bring a high level of professionalism to your business.

Appearance shouldn’t be your only concern when shopping for conference tables, however. You also have to think about how large you need the table to be, what kind of materials it will be made from, and how you’re going to use it.

Here are some important things to consider when purchasing the best conference tables.

Conference table construction and dimensions
Most conference tables are made of wood with a mahogany or cherry finish. Higher-quality wood is usually the most expensive but also the most durable, lasting 10 to 15 years or longer. Less expensive wood can usually be furnished with a glossy laminate to protect the surface.

Conference tables are available in a variety of shapes from traditional rectangular models to oval and even triangular designs. The tables can also have corners with steel brackets for additional security, or smooth rounded corners. You want a table shape that’s useful, but also gives your business a unique identity.

Conference tables can range in size from 6’ to 30’ and larger. Think about how many people will sit at the table at once when picking a size – the general rule of thumb is one seat for each foot of the table. You should leave about 4’ of space around the table to comfortably fit chairs and aisle ways.

You should also know the dimensions of your office and doorways – if the table comes fully assembled, you need to make sure it will fit. If your space is too restrictive, you’ll have to find a table that needs to be pieced together.

Customization
You can customize wooden conference tables with a top made of marble, granite, or scratched glass. Depending on the furniture dealer, you may also be able to customize tables with decorative etchings or logos, drawers, compartments for concealing wiring, electric connector panels, and lecterns.

Quality rating
Even though you can find cheap conference tables for a few hundred dollars, they probably won’t last very long. Look for high quality ratings to gain a sense of how strong and durable the table will be. Quality ratings are usually based on four considerations:

• Material – The strength of the wood, tabletop, metal, or glass
• Components – Ensures all hinges and screws are tightly secure
• Joints – The tighter and smoother the joints, the better the rating
• Assembly speed – Conference tables should be easy to setup and install

Price
As the bottom line concern for most businesses, you should know what you’re getting for your money. A quality conference table that will last you for many years will cost about $3,000 to $5,000. If you find one priced considerably lower, it should raise some concerns. Are you getting a used model that has been through the ringer? Is it poor quality? Is it made from lesser materials?