What is the role of a conference chair?
Conference chairs surround the conference table, of course. But more importantly, they're a critical part of what makes efficient meetings. Most conference room chairs are uniform, minimizing their distraction or overstimulation. And of course, sleek conference room chairs look inviting to attendees. But beyond their looks, it’s their function that really makes them important.
What is the difference between a conference chair and an office chair?
Conference chairs and office chairs are often interchangeable in everyday conversation. However, they have one key difference: Conference chairs are for short-term sitting. Office chairs are for long-term sitting. If your conference chairs are supportive, comfortable, ergonomic, and adjustable, they could easily be used as everyday office chairs.
How do I choose a conference chair?
Conference chairs strike a balance between comfort, uniformity, style, and efficiency. Employees will typically spend anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours in them during the working day (depending on the length and frequency of meetings). Every office will be different. If you're not sure where to start with conference chair selection, here are some things to consider as you choose:
Number of employees
One of the first things to consider when choosing the right conference chairs is how many employees you need to fit around the conference tables. If you have relatively few employees or host small meetings, you might splurge on larger, more comfortable conference seating.
Keep the future in mind, too. Take a practical look at how much your company may grow over the coming years. For example, if you have 10 employees but plan to grow over the next 5 years, consider purchasing extra conference chairs now. This helps honor your budget and guarantee uniformity in the future, as prices and availability may change in 5 years.
Style and shape
Any conference chair you choose should represent the style and culture of the office. Is it more formal, business casual, or casual? What kinds of meetings will be held in the conference room? Will you be talking to clients or investors in the conference room? If so, you may want to focus on comfort and a style that sets a professional tone. If your conference room is multi-purpose, stackable meeting room chairs can be a helpful feature. That way, you can easily move the chairs and tables for conferences, parties, or any other workplace event.
Ergonomics
In conference and meeting settings, people's bodies should be optimally supported. The backrest plays just as important a role as the seat surface, armrests, and the mechanism of the swivel chair. The more supported and aligned the spine, the happier and more comfortable employees will be during longer meetings. With ergonomic meeting chairs, meeting attendees will be better equipped to pay attention, make contributions, and engage. Some chairs also have features like an adjustable height, a swivel mechanism, or arm rests. These options are entirely up to your preferences, company size, and budget.
Budget
Your budget is inevitably going to help determine the type of conference chairs you select. Certain qualities can affect the price, including ergonomics, adjustability, durability, comfort, movement mechanism, appearance, and storage and use. It's up to you to decide which features are worth spending extra money on.
When choosing office furniture for meeting rooms, keep in mind any additional amenities you'll be factoring into the budget. These may include an AV/multimedia cart, microphones for conference calls, whiteboards, screens, televisions, conference tables, or other presentation tools.
Meeting type and length
What kinds of meetings will you hold in the conference room? If they're typically very short, you may be able to get by with more functional stackable or foldable chairs. In general, those are best suited as visitor chairs or waiting room chairs that are easy to move or store.
Conference chairs usually have wheels for easy movement around the table. If your company has extensive meetings, then swivel chairs with added comfort may be the right choice. If you're still unsure about which conference chairs to purchase, talk with your employees about their needs and preferences.
Choosing the right conference chairs
The right conference chairs can keep employees happy, healthy, and productive. When choosing conference chairs, or even a home office chair, consider the comfortable, stylish, and ergonomic solutions offered by Sedus. Whether you need a hundred chairs or just one, Sedus has office furniture to suit you perfectly. Get in touch to find out how Sedus experts can help your business reach its full potential.
