In-Demand Trends for Conference Room Design
Meetings, meetings, meetings. For teams of all sizes all across the globe, they’re an inevitable part of life when working in a shared office space, but are they always productive?
In general, many would agree that better designed spaces lead to a better quality of work. Yet office conference rooms are often neglected and fail to have much aesthetic appeal beyond a long table and matching chairs. Since conference rooms are the site of most meetings, it’s essential that their design inspires a more proactive, productive workforce.
As more people return to the office full time, one way that managers can excite their teams is to reimagine and redesign their meeting spaces, making them more modernized and engaging for employees. Here are the top trends in conference room design that are sure to have a positive impact on your meetings and team morale.
Embrace natural lighting
If you’ve ever worked in an office or meeting room that has no windows and fluorescent bulbs buzzing overhead, you know how easy it is to become restless, bored, and irritable. Studies have even shown that natural light can increase employees’ mood, energy, alertness, and productivity – making lighting a crucial element to top conference room trends.
Floor-to-ceiling windows will make any space seem instantly more open, airy, and conducive to high performance. If you are working out of a commercial property and can’t install new windows, set up your conference space in the most well-lit area of the office where light is streaming in.
Any bit of natural light will help boost employee happiness and overall engagement during meetings.
Modernize the conference table
Reporting to the same chair at the same conference table every single Monday can get old, fast. Why not inspire your employees by modernizing the conference space and adding new furnishings like a gorgeous concrete conference table?
Concrete tables are one of the latest design trends taking homes by storm, and they will look just as sleek in a contemporary office. This type of table will not only give your conference room an edgier look, but it will also be extremely durable and easy to keep clean.
Have a custom conference room table created at any length and in any design. Pair your new concrete conference table with a series of ergonomic leather desk chairs in a rich color like chestnut, and your meeting space will surely become everyone’s favorite place to brainstorm.
Add an LED video wall
There are several technology upgrades that all modern conference rooms should have, and one of those innovations is an LED video wall. Whether you choose a projector or a hanging screen, LED technology delivers the highest-quality images and colors, which is ideal for presentations, videos, slideshows, and more.
This trend is becoming ubiquitous in high-impact spaces, especially if your company regularly meets with clients or vendors that you’re aiming to impress. Both energy efficient and easy to maintain, LED video walls look great from any angle and can be the sole motivator for employee engagement in a meeting.
Go green with natural elements
A final conference room design trend is to incorporate green elements like plants, water features, and sustainable furnishings. With many companies pledging to create greener workspaces by focusing on energy efficiencies, conference rooms are one of the easiest spaces to make more environmentally conscious.
Not only are LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) interiors increasingly popular, but so is bringing in nature. Living walls – or walls designed entirely of plants – can make an excellent focal point for any conference space. Since plants are known to be mood-boosting, a whole wall of plants will surely help employees feel less stressed as they collaborate, connect, and host meetings.
Invite collaboration with open layout
Don't forget to consider the psychology behind a conference room. If you want a collaborative environment, consider an open floor plan. They allow for easy movement and visual connectivity among team members. Breaking down physical barriers can foster spontaneous interactions and idea sharing.
Instead of a traditional rectangular table, a round or oval-shaped table can encourage more inclusive discussions and engagement among participants.
Include branding
Incorporate the company's branding elements or color scheme to create a sense of identity and unity within the organization. Having a reminder of the shared vision or purpose can inspire ideas and forward progress.
At the same time, you don't want to inhibit creativity by placing limitations in the form of too much branding. Include other elements in the room that provide inspiration such as plants, paintings, and non-distracting décor.
Keep it flexible
Being able to manipulate a space can also add to creativity and productivity. Consider using movable or modular furniture to allow for flexible configurations based on the meeting's purpose and the number of participants. This adaptability allows the environment to suit different collaboration needs.
Don't be afraid to include less formal conference room furniture like couches and lounge chairs. Relaxing the environment may also make participants feel more comfortable and more likely to think outside the box.
Looking for other life-enhancing design trends to beautify any traditional office space? Here are some of the most unforgettable concrete designs for a modern, sophisticated look.