Choosing The Perfect Conference Table for Your Business

A professional meeting area speaks volumes about your business. That being said, the main focal point of this essential space is the conference room table. With an extensive selection of styles available in 2014, choosing the perfect table for your boardroom can be a difficult and overwhelming task. In today's article, we'll highlight the step by step process including tips, product suggestions, and the advice you'll need to purchase the best conference room table for your specific needs.

1.) Size

The first step in choosing the perfect conference table for your business is to assess your needs. Start by measuring your space effectively to determine the size table that will work best. Most businesses use tables between 6' and 10' in length.

2.) Guests

On average you'll want to allow around 3 feet of table space per user. A 6' table will accommodate 4 users comfortably while a 10' table is made to host between 8 and 10 visitors if you choose to use the table ends. To avoid cramping, check out a few popular conference chairs or your current office chairs. Take the measurements of each being sure to take note of the seat and base widths. You can then use these figures to ensure a comfortable meeting experience for your business guests.

3.) Materials 

To choose the best conference table for your business, you'll want to educate yourself on the most popular materials being used today. Top brands like Global Total Office offer a wide range of tables including wood veneer, metal, and laminate variations that vary widely in price. In most cases wood veneer tables will be the most expensive while laminate top tables are typically the most affordable. Additional brands like OFM, Inc. are now offering attractive glass top conference room tables that are a favorite amongst interior design teams and industry professionals alike. That being said, the hottest conference room design trends of 2014 include the use laminate top tables with industrial metal bases. Products like the GR6STM Alba Series Table will give you a great idea of what's hot this year.

4.) Price

In 2014, shopping for new conference room tables on a budget can actually be quite simple. Brands like Mayline, Cherryman Industries, and Global Total Office all provide affordable solutions that look fantastic. Products like the BTCT6 Brighton Series 6' Conference Table by Mayline can be purchased for as little as $218.99 with free shipping. Higher end tables can range into the thousands depending on the material and size table you choose.

5.) Shape

Popular conference table shapes include round, racetrack, boat shaped, rectangular, and elliptical. This area of the design process is purely based on your personal preference. However, rectangular and boat shaped tables will provide the most useable space on table ends to help you accommodate the maximum number of guests. New elliptical top conference table solutions are by far the most popular this year. For smaller areas, round top styles are best.

6.) Style

Various conference table styles including modern, traditional, contemporary, and industrial should all be taken into account when shopping for your new table. Doing a simple inquiry via your favorite search engine will provide you with helpful insight as to what each looks like. Once you've done the basis research, determine what look will best enhance your corporate decor.

7.) Value

Everyone loves a good deal! That being said, it's important to find value when selecting your new conference table. Manufacturers like those mentioned above offer great products highly suggested for professional office use. In addition, be sure to inquire with your dealer of choice about bulk discount pricing, free shipping, and current closeout specials that may be available. If you're looking to purchase an entirely new furniture configuration for your space, savings should definitely be made available.

8.) Lead Times

So you've found the perfect conference table, but will it be available when you need it? All too often business furniture shoppers are faced with tight project deadlines. When searing for your new table, be sure to inquire about how long tables will take to ship. While most tables from brands like Mayline and Cherryman Industries are typically in stock, more customizable solutions like the tables from Global Total Office are made to order and take approximately 3 to 5 weeks to manufacturer. Be sure to leave yourself with ample time to ensure you're able to purchase the table you love and don't end up settling due to a time crunch. Most industry professionals recommend shopping 5 weeks before you need your products and scheduling delivery around a time that works best for you.

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How To Makeover Your Office Waiting Room

An excellent first impression is priceless in business. That being said a professional waiting room area to welcome guests is a must. In today's article we'll highlight the 5 simple steps you'll need to follow in order to design your space to perfection. From space planning to installation, the strategies and tips found here will make your project a breeze!


Step 1: Space Planning

This first important step in any office makeover project is space planning. To achieve an effective layout you'll first need to measure your waiting area. During this process make sure to notate power outlets, windows, entry ways, and any load bearing members. Once your space has been effectively measured, determine the number of guests you're hoping to accommodate. This will help you and your furniture provider to determine a layout that will work best for your specific needs.

Step 2: Select Your Seating Style

Once you've effectively measured your space, it's time to determine the seating style that will work best for your business needs and budget. Contemporary themed waiting areas commonly use beam style seating from popular brands like Global Total Office and OFM as this look is quite popular and affordable. Traditionally minded businesses looking to create an at home feel will benefit greatly from wood guest chairs and accent furniture. Healthcare environments will often use plastic and vinyl seating that's easy to clean and maintain. No matter the style you choose, keep your customer base in mind. Working with an interior design team is always a nice option if your budget permits.

Step 3: Choose Accent Furniture

Once you've chosen your seating, it's time to accent your products for optimal efficiency. Often coffee and end table sets will be available from the same manufacturer as your seating as a recommended pairing. Materials like glass, wood, and metal are the common and provide a nice compliment that doesn't over power a space. In addition to tables for waiting room applications, wall art, decorative plants, and area rugs all help to bring your decor to life.

Step 4: Prepare for Delivery

Rest assured, nothing is worse than having your new furniture and seating arrive when you aren't properly prepared. To avoid this common problem, work with your dealer or interior design team closely. Determine an estimated ship date for your products and mark the date on your calender. Once your products ship you'll have approximately 3 to 7 business days to begin prepping depending on the quantity of products needed for your makeover. Order tracking information is typically available upon request from most reputable vendors once items ship out. To prep, remove old furniture and create a staging area to keep your new products out of the way during the installation process. This will ensure a smooth transition that doesn't become overly cluttered.

Step 5: Installation

Once your items arrive you'll be ready for install. One nice thing about new waiting room furniture is that most of the top rated products ship fully or partially assembled. Items like sofas and lounge chairs make for a quick install process that's relatively hassle free. Items like individual guest chairs, beam seating, and tables may require basic tools and should be planned for accordingly. A basic power drill, wrenches, and screwdriver are definitely recommended. In several cases basis hand tools are actually included by the manufacturer but it's still best to plan ahead. A factor that's commonly forgotten about when installing furniture is the debris. Large items mean large boxes and an abundance of packing materials. Make sure you are prepared for a bit of clean up and have room in your businesses trash area to handle the amount of materials from your project.

With the 5 basic steps listed above you should be ready to take on your waiting room makeover. As previously mentioned, working with interior design teams and office furniture professionals will help to further prepare you for the project at hand. Remember, it's far better to be over prepared than under! Make sure to set a project time frame, shop online for value priced products, and have fun! The best projects are those that show personality and business ingenuity.

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Choosing the Perfect Waiting Room Furniture

 Choosing new waiting room furnishings is an important task for any business. This important area should be designed with the needs of your guests in mind while maintaining a style that matches your corporate decor. This article shares helpful tips and product suggestions sure to help you choose the perfect furniture for your visitor waiting area.

Before you begin the shopping process, you'll need to properly measure your space. There's no use shopping for stylish leather sofas and accenting products that just won't fit! When measuring your space, make sure to take note of all important electrical outlets, entry ways, load bearing members and other room obstructions.

Once you've calculated accurate dimensions and your usable square footage, sketch out a few practice layouts for your space. Simply determine the amount of guests you hope to accommodate and draw a few design ideas. When coming up with ideas, have a style in mind that will best showcase your companies prowess. While the traditional lounge area furniture look is always in style, modern office reception furniture is great for high tech work environments and high end businesses. Once you've settled on a style and layout, it's time to determine what type of seating will best meet your business needs.

A variety of waiting room chairs are available to choose from that will surely earn your space a host of positive compliments. From modular beam seating to traditional lounge furniture sets, these popular options are designed to keep guests comfortable while enhancing your workplace decor. When the time to decide on chairs comes, make sure to do your homework online. Shop for top selling waiting room furniture for sale online to give yourself the most broad range of products to choose from. You can also shop industry leading brands like Mayline, Flash Furniture, and OFM chairs for your project. These respected manufacturers pride themselves on cutting edge solutions designed for modern work environments.

Now that your space has been accurately measured, you've decided on a seating layout, and chairs have been chosen, it's time to find the perfect welcome desk to accent your space. When shopping for reception desks for sale online, you'll be greeted with ample in stock options to met your specific needs and space requirements. Popular styled include salon, L shaped, and curved reception desks with modern style. If you're in need of specific product suggestions, try Mayline reception desks as there top 10 selling casegoods lines all offer stations that are incredibly stylish, in stock, and budget friendly.

Last but certainly not least you'll need to add accent furniture to compliment your waiting room. Believe it or not, the little details often make the biggest difference in terms of boom or bust when it comes to the guest welcoming area. Adding products like modern coffee tables, accent lighting, and wall art helps to create more inviting spaces sure to make a great first impression. In addition to your new office furniture, you might consider adding accessories like literature racks to help keep your space neatly organized. Simply laying magazines all over your waiting room tables won't cut it! In the long run, a well designed and organized visiting area will keep your valued clientele comfortable and coming back for a second trip. Strive to make a lasting impact on guests with your professionalism and high class decor and you'll be on the path to success!

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The Complete Guide to Creating A Professional Home Office

Working from home is a common necessity that's often difficult for those just starting out in business. That being said, maximizing your square footage with a well thought out office furniture layout will improve your business effectiveness. In fact, creating a home office to be proud of can be quite simple. You just have to follow a few simple guidelines for success.

As Funds for start up home businesses are typically tight, you'll want to set a reasonable budget for furniture expenditures. Determine the most important products that will improve your efficiency while working. The office desk, chair, and file cabinet are a great place to start. Adding in top ergonomic office accessories like a keyboard tray, articulating monitor arm, and CPU holder are all great ways to stretch your budget while adding products that really come in handy.

Once you've set your budget and determined the furniture you'll need, it's time to conceive a general layout. For this step, measure your space and notate power outlets, windows, doors, and any other important details of your area. Once your sketch is made, shoot a few copies if possible.

Now it's time to get creative! Draw out a few furniture designs and configuration ideas. Get input from family members and encourage them to draw there best layout. The kids will love it! Working with an interior designer is always an option for those wary of this step. Keep in mind, this will eat up a large chunk of your budget. Quite honestly, this step is nothing to be scared of and will really provide a sense of pride when your new office furniture project is completed.

The time has now come to start the shopping process. Visiting a showroom is a great way to start but generally unnecessary. Shopping online for home office desks and furnishings has become incredibly user friendly and will save you money! Utilizing comparison shopping engines like Amazon, Price Grabber, and Kaboodle are all great. That being said, Google product search is the preferred method as it offers the largest selection of home office furniture from a variety of industry leading dealers and manufacturers. Companies choosing to list their products here have the ability to offer coupons and specials for added savings. As an added bonus, Google pulls company reviews from a variety of sources to give shoppers the most information possible to make the best purchasing decision possible.

When shopping for office chairs online the selection will be vast. You'll want to find a popular ergonomic seating provider that can provide helpful suggestions for your price range. Choosing a single dealer for your products is a luxury but not a necessity. One benefit of using a full service provider is the ability to minimize deliveries. However, choosing products from a variety of companies might help you to maximize your budget! In the end, the choice is yours. Do your homework and find the best products that will work for your new home office.

Once you've selected from the slew of home executive furniture and seating online it's time to prepare your space for the arrival of new furniture. Schedule a delivery window with your furniture provider if possible. Next, take pictures of any old furniture, remove it from your space, and stage it safely. The pictures will come in handy if you'd like to sell or re purpose old items. Now that your space is cleared your ready to receive your products effectively.

In most cases, curbside delivery will be included with your purchase. This includes the delivery company bringing the items to your home but not inside. Extended services like inside delivery are always available but will generate an extra charge. Most office chairs will ship via a common carrier like UPS and should be brought to your doorstep. When it comes to executive office desks, 2 people can typically handle the boxes. If you're unsure, it's best to inquire about inside delivery as it might be worth the extra money.

Installing your new items should be relatively simple. Instructions should be included for any reputable product. Often, a small wrench and screwdriver are the only tools you'll need. In most cases, the most difficult part of furniture installation is debris removal! Most executive office chairs and desks are very thoroughly packed and create quite a bit of fodder.

Once your furniture is installed. It's time to get to work. Hopefully your project has gone smoothly from start to finish. For added help, we've added a list of resources below to utilize during the shopping process. These manufacturer's furniture solutions are all extremely well made and affordable. Enjoy!

Home Office Furniture and Seating Resources

Mayline Office Furniture

Cherryman Industries

OFM Furniture

Eurotech Seating

Offices To Go Chairs

ESI Ergonomic Solutions

Furniture Coupon Resources

Tjoos.com

RetailMeNot.com

CouponFollow.com

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Popular Reception Desk Shapes To Consider for Your Space

With a seemingly limitless selection of reception desks available, it's important to educate yourself on the available styles and shapes offered. This article highlights the 3 main desk styles and their features in order to help you make the best and most informed purchasing decision possible. Enjoy!

Curved Reception Desks

Perhaps no style of reception area desk is more popular these days than those with a curved design. Manufacturers are scrambling to release the hottest new curved reception desk solutions possible on an ongoing basis. For that reason, the first desk shape to highlight had to be curved.

The benefits of a curved station are simple. In terms of space, desks with this shape allow interior designers and consumers alike the ability to maximize square footage potential. Aesthetically speaking, curved desks promote a welcoming feel that is visually appealing to visitors. From the standpoint of privacy, they ensure a secure shape that doesn't leave employees exposed, or their belongings.

Manufacturers like OFM, Inc. provide a wide variety of curved desking configurations with modular attributes. Modern Marque series reception station solutions are available in single units starting at $993.99. These space saving units are available in three popular finishes that are typically in stock. Marque reception desk units can be added to form configurations large or small based on the needs of your space. OFM, Inc. understands the needs of your growing business and for that reason this collection has been a huge hit.

Rectangular Reception Desks

The most common form of desk for the reception area are those with a rectangular shape. These discount reception desks appeal to those on a tight budget and with space limitations. Additionally, rectangular models can be found in a variety of traditional and modern styles to meet the decor needs of any space. These easy to spec solutions are available from a variety of key furniture manufacturers and offer the simplicity and functionality desired by all businesses.

The most valuable benefit of a rectangular station come in terms of space. These small reception desks are typically desired by businesses with limited square footage. In addition, rectangular models are typically offered with the ability to add storage pedestals for added versatility and organization. In some cases, manufacturers will offer units standard with pedestals included for added value. Undoubtedly, this shape of desk is the most affordable. As they are typically the smallest, less materials are obviously involved in construction therefore bringing the price down. However, do not be fooled! Several of the industries best and most popular units feature this common shape and do not lack in terms of style and commercial appeal.

When it comes to modern style, Cherryman Industries Furniture from the new Verde casegoods collection is hard to beat. And for that reason, the VL-816 reception station definitely deserves the spotlight when it comes to reception area desks with rectangular design. Available in two rich finishes, the VL-816 station is typically in stock and ready for quick shipment anywhere in the continental US. This modern station is accented with a contemporary transaction counter and luxurious curves. Priced at only $674.99, this unit is an excellent buy. Matching products are also available including modern lateral file cabinets, and a variety of luxury executive desks to create a full an cohesive look throughout your business.

L Shaped Reception Desks

For larger reception areas, L-Shaped stations are the most common choice. This form of desk typically consists of a modular reception desk with a left or right return. The two products combine to form.... you guessed it, an L shape. Often L-Shaped units will be available in ADA compliant variations for the needs of handicapped visitors. L shaped desks add to the versatility and functionality typically considered when purchasing new reception furniture for any office.

The benefit of an L-Shaped reception unit can be summed up in one word. That word is versatility! These fully functional stations allow for added storage as well as increased usable desk space. L-Shaped models are typically used to accommodate a single receptionist but larger styles are available for multi user applications. The modular design of L-Shaped stations is also an excellent feature. Most manufacturers make stations with non-handed returns that allow you to reconfigure your station based on the needs of your current furniture layout.

Almost every top office furniture manufacturer offers L-Shaped reception desks. However, the one brand that stands apart is Mayline furniture. With 10 industry leading casegoods furniture collections available, it's hard to argue their selection quality. Mayline reception desks from lines like Aberdeen, Napoli, and Luminary are long time favorites. Take the NRSLBA wheelchair accessible reception desk for example. This station is perfect for areas requiring ADA compliance and still offers fantastic modern style. For those with more traditional tastes, the SRCSL Sorrento Reception Desk features a luxurious wood veneer construction and marble transaction counter. No matter your preference, Mayline has a solution for you!

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