Conference Room Tables: How Do You Choose the Right One?
Direct Answer
Conference room tables are meeting tables designed to provide a shared workspace for discussions, presentations, training sessions, interviews, and business meetings. The right conference room table should fit the room, accommodate the required number of people, provide enough working space, and support equipment such as laptops, screens, power connections, and presentation devices.
Conference Room Tables Guide
A conference room needs more than chairs and an empty room. The table is usually the central piece of furniture and determines how people sit, communicate, work, and move around the room.
The right conference room table should match the available floor space and the type of meetings held there. A table that is too large can restrict movement, while one that is too small may leave participants without enough working space.
At Jobel Services, conference room tables can be considered alongside office chairs, workstations, desks, storage cabinets, and other office furniture when planning a complete workplace setup.
What Is a Conference Room Table?
A conference room table is a large shared table designed for group meetings and collaborative office activities.
It can be used for:
Management meetings
Client meetings
Staff meetings
Interviews
Training sessions
Presentations
Team discussions
Planning sessions
Depending on the design, a conference table may include cable management, power access, built-in storage, or modular sections.
Why Are Conference Room Tables Important?
A suitable conference table provides a central workspace where participants can communicate and work together.
The right table can help provide:
Adequate working space
Comfortable seating arrangements
Better room organization
Space for documents and laptops
A suitable position for presentation equipment
Easier communication between participants
However, the table should be selected according to the actual meeting requirements rather than simply choosing the largest available option.
Types of Conference Room Tables
Conference room tables come in different shapes and configurations.
Rectangular Conference Tables
Rectangular tables are among the most common options.
They work well in:
Corporate offices
Boardrooms
Training rooms
Meeting rooms
Professional offices
Their straight edges make it easier to position chairs around the table.
Boat-Shaped Conference Tables
Boat-shaped tables have straight sides with curved or angled ends.
This configuration can provide additional space around the ends while maintaining a clear central meeting area.
They can be suitable for boardrooms and larger meeting spaces.
Round Conference Tables
Round tables allow participants to sit around a central point.
They are useful for:
Small meetings
Discussion rooms
Interview areas
Collaborative spaces
They can also work well where equal seating positions are preferred.
Oval Conference Tables
Oval tables combine the length of a rectangular table with rounded ends.
They can provide a softer layout while still accommodating several participants.
They are suitable for medium and large meeting rooms where there is enough space around the table.
Modular Conference Tables
Modular tables consist of separate sections that can be rearranged.
They can be useful for organizations that use meeting rooms for different purposes.
For example, the same room may be used for:
Board meetings
Training
Workshops
Presentations
Team discussions
Modular furniture can make it easier to change the room configuration.
How Do You Choose the Right Conference Room Table?
Choosing the right conference room table starts with the room itself.
1. Measure the Meeting Room
Measure:
Room length
Room width
Door positions
Windows
Power outlets
Existing furniture
Available walking space
The table should leave sufficient clearance around the edges.
Do not measure only the space where the table will stand. You also need to account for chairs and people moving behind seated participants.
2. Determine the Number of People
The number of meeting participants is one of the most important considerations.
A table designed for six people will not provide the same functionality as one designed for twelve or twenty people.
Estimate the usual meeting size rather than choosing based only on occasional maximum attendance.
If larger meetings are held occasionally, modular tables may provide greater flexibility.
3. Choose the Right Table Shape
The room shape can influence which table configuration works best.
Rectangular
Suitable for longer rooms and traditional boardroom layouts.
Round
Useful for smaller rooms and collaborative discussions.
Oval
Provides a large central workspace with rounded ends.
Boat-Shaped
Can provide additional seating space around the ends.
Modular
Useful where the room needs to support multiple layouts.
How Much Space Should Each Person Have?
Meeting participants need enough room for comfortable seating and normal work.
Consider the space required for:
Laptop computers
Documents
Notebooks
Writing materials
Phones
Water bottles
Presentation materials
Avoid placing too many chairs around a table simply because they physically fit.
Participants should be able to sit, work, and leave their seats without creating unnecessary congestion.
Conference Room Table Height
A conference table should work comfortably with the chairs being used.
Consider:
Table height
Chair seat height
Armrest clearance
Legroom
User posture
Equipment placement
If the table is too high or too low for the chairs, participants may have difficulty working comfortably during longer meetings.
When buying a table separately from conference chairs, check the dimensions of both products.
Conference Room Table Materials
Conference tables can be manufactured from different materials.
Wood-Based Boards
Wood-based boards are commonly used in office furniture because they provide practical working surfaces and can be finished in different designs.
They are suitable for many professional office environments.
Metal
Metal may be used for table frames and structural supports.
It can provide additional strength, particularly in larger tables.
Glass
Glass can be incorporated into some conference tables for design purposes.
However, glass surfaces require regular cleaning and appropriate handling.
Laminated Surfaces
Laminated finishes can provide practical surfaces that are relatively easy to clean and maintain.
The right material depends on expected use, maintenance requirements, office environment, and budget.
Conference Room Table Cable Management
Modern meeting rooms often require multiple electronic devices.
These may include:
Laptops
Projectors
Monitors
Video conferencing equipment
Charging devices
Microphones
Speakers
Poor cable management can result in wires crossing the floor or becoming tangled.
Look for tables that provide:
Cable access holes
Cable trays
Cable channels
Power access
Central cable management points
This can help keep the meeting room organized and reduce loose cables around participants.
Conference Tables for Small Meeting Rooms
A small meeting room needs careful furniture planning.
A round or compact rectangular table may provide enough working space without consuming the entire room.
Prioritize:
Correct table dimensions
Adequate chair clearance
Easy movement
Cable management
Storage access
Practical seating capacity
Avoid selecting a table based only on the number of chairs it can technically accommodate.
Conference Tables for Large Boardrooms
Large boardrooms provide more flexibility.
You may consider:
Large rectangular tables
Boat-shaped tables
Oval tables
Modular conference tables
Integrated cable management
Multiple power access points
Large meeting rooms may also require additional furniture such as presentation cabinets, storage units, display screens, and sideboards.
Conference Room Tables and Meeting Equipment
Think about the equipment used during meetings before buying the table.
For example, a meeting room may require space for:
Laptops
Projectors
Monitors
Video conferencing equipment
Power adapters
Microphones
Presentation materials
If equipment is used regularly, plan cable routes and power access before installing the furniture.
This can prevent expensive modifications later.
Conference Room Tables and Chairs
The table and chairs should be considered as one system.
Check:
Table height
Chair height
Chair width
Armrest clearance
Legroom
Number of seats
Space between chairs
A table may appear large enough until conference chairs are positioned around it.
For this reason, plan the complete meeting-room layout before purchasing the furniture.
Conference Room Table vs Training Table
Conference tables and training tables serve different purposes.
A conference table is usually designed for group discussions where participants face one another.
Training tables may be designed for:
Classroom layouts
Individual laptops
Writing exercises
Presentations
Flexible seating
If a room serves both purposes, modular tables can provide greater flexibility.
Common Conference Room Table Problems
Choosing the wrong table can create several problems.
The Table Is Too Large
This can reduce movement around the room.
The Table Is Too Small
Participants may not have enough workspace.
Too Many Chairs
Overcrowding can make it difficult for people to move.
Poor Cable Management
Loose cables can make the room difficult to maintain.
Insufficient Power Access
Participants may struggle to charge laptops and other devices.
Poor Table Positioning
The table should not block doors, emergency routes, windows, or equipment.
How to Maintain Conference Room Tables
Regular maintenance helps extend the life of the table.
Follow these steps:
Clean the surface regularly.
Remove dust from table joints and frame sections.
Wipe spills promptly.
Avoid placing excessive weight on unsupported areas.
Check screws and fittings periodically.
Keep sharp objects away from finished surfaces.
Avoid dragging heavy tables across the floor.
Organize cables to prevent pulling and damage.
For large conference tables, use appropriate assistance when moving or repositioning them.
How to Organize a Conference Room
A conference table works best when the rest of the room is planned around it.
Consider the position of:
Conference chairs
Display screens
Projectors
Presentation equipment
Storage cabinets
Power outlets
Doors
Windows
Leave clear walking paths around the table.
Frequently used presentation equipment should be easy to access without disrupting people during meetings.
Where Can You Buy Conference Room Tables in Kenya?
If you need conference room tables in Kenya, start by determining the meeting room dimensions and the number of people who normally participate in meetings.
Before purchasing, measure:
Room length
Room width
Door clearance
Available walking space
Table dimensions
Chair clearance
Equipment requirements
Power and cable access
Also consider the table shape, material, seating capacity, storage requirements, and meeting equipment.
Buy Conference Room Tables in Nairobi
Looking for conference room tables in Nairobi? Contact Jobel Services and ask about available office furniture and meeting-room solutions.
You can also visit Jobel Services at Gikomba, Beaver House, opposite NCBA Bank, Nairobi, to discuss your conference-room requirements.
Get the Right Conference Room Table
Do not choose a conference table based only on the number of people you want to seat.
Send Jobel Services the dimensions of your meeting room, photographs of the space, the usual number of participants, preferred table shape, and equipment requirements before purchasing.
This can help determine a suitable table configuration.
Whether you need a compact table for a small meeting room, a boardroom table for a large organization, or several tables for a training and conference facility, selecting the right size and layout can help prevent unnecessary replacement costs.
Need conference room tables in Kenya? Contact Jobel Services today or visit the shop in Gikomba, Beaver House, opposite NCBA Bank, Nairobi, and ask about suitable conference tables and office furniture solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Conference Room Tables
What is a conference room table?
A conference room table is a shared office table designed for meetings, discussions, presentations, interviews, and collaborative work.
How do I choose the right conference table size?
Choose the size based on the meeting room dimensions, number of participants, chair clearance, walking space, equipment, and required working surface.
Which conference table shape is best?
The suitable shape depends on the room and how it will be used. Rectangular, round, oval, boat-shaped, and modular tables can all serve different meeting requirements.
How many people can sit around a conference table?
The seating capacity depends on the table's dimensions, shape, and chair width. Avoid overcrowding because participants need enough personal workspace and movement space.
Do conference tables need cable management?
Cable management is useful when the room uses laptops, monitors, projectors, video conferencing equipment, or other electronic devices.
Can a conference room table be used for training?
Some conference tables can be used for training, but modular or movable tables may provide greater flexibility when the room serves multiple purposes.
Conclusion
Conference room tables are central to the way meetings, presentations, interviews, and collaborative activities are conducted.
The right table should fit the room, accommodate the required number of participants, provide enough working space, work comfortably with the chairs, and support the technology used during meetings.
Before buying, measure the room carefully and consider table shape, dimensions, materials, cable management, power access, seating capacity, and movement space.
If you need conference room tables in Nairobi or elsewhere in Kenya, contact Jobel Services or visit Gikomba, Beaver House, opposite NCBA Bank, Nairobi.
Share your meeting-room measurements, photographs, seating requirements, and equipment needs so you can identify a suitable conference table configuration.
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