[Blogs]

Conference Room Chairs: A Buying Guide from The Office Shop

Conference room chairs get used by more people than almost any other seat in the office. Staff, clients and leadership all sit in them, often for an hour or more at a time, and a poor choice shows up fast as squeaky casters, worn upholstery or arms that won’t slide under the table.

The Office Shop has helped Ontario organizations furnish meeting rooms since 1996 through office furniture consulting that starts with how each room is actually used. This buying guide covers what to look for in conference room chairs, how The Office Shop plans and installs them, and which models are worth a look.

→ Furnishing a new boardroom and unsure which conference room chairs to shortlist? Talk to The Office Shop for a recommendation and quote built around your room.

Common Mistakes With Conference Room Chair Purchase

Most of the meeting room seating problems The Office Shop is asked to fix come from the same few decisions. Here is how they usually play out.

The chairs were picked before the table. Arm height and table apron height have to work together. When the arms hit the apron, every chair sits a foot back from the table and the room looks unfinished.

Nobody counted seats against the floor plan. Too many conference room chairs crowd the table and block the walkway behind it. Too few, and people drag task chairs in from their desks for every large meeting.

Spare task chairs filled the gap. Borrowing chairs from workstations gives the room a mismatched look in front of clients and leaves desks short.

Comfort was judged in two minutes. A chair that feels fine in a showroom can feel very different by the end of a 90 minute budget review. Seat depth, lumbar support and recline matter more in long meetings than most buyers expect.

Retail chairs ended up in a commercial room. Chairs sold for home use often have lighter mechanisms, thinner foam and short warranties. Commercial conference room chairs are built for several different users a day, every day.

The upholstery didn’t suit the room. Light fabric in a room where teams eat lunch stains quickly. A clinic or lab boardroom may need wipeable vinyl or a fabric that stands up to frequent disinfecting.

Lead times caught the project off guard. Most commercial seating is made to order in a chosen fabric and finish. Ordering conference room chairs two weeks before move in day can leave a boardroom empty for a month.

→ Are mismatched or worn chairs making your boardroom look tired in front of clients? Ask The Office Shop for a walkthrough and a seating plan that fixes it.

What The Office Shop Looks for in Conference Room Chairs

When The Office Shop’s consultants shortlist conference room chairs, they check the same handful of features every time. Use these as your own buying checklist.

Adjustments a shared chair actually needs

Conference room chairs usually have fewer controls than desk chairs, and that’s fine. People rarely stop to adjust a chair before a meeting. Pneumatic seat height and a tilt with tension control cover most users. Chairs with a self adjusting recline suit rooms where many different people sit for an hour and leave.

Mesh, fabric or leather

Mesh backs stay cool in long sessions and give the room a lighter look. Upholstered backs feel more formal and add a little sound absorption. Leather and vinyl suit executive boardrooms and any space that needs frequent wiping, such as a clinic meeting room. The comfort principles behind good ergonomic office chairs apply here too, just with fewer controls.

Arms that clear the table

Measure the table apron before choosing arms. Fixed loop arms look clean and hold up well. Height adjustable arms help when the table is lower than standard. Armless chairs fit more people around a tight table and work well in training rooms.

Mid back or high back

Mid back conference room chairs keep sightlines open across the table and suit most meeting rooms. High back chairs look at home in a large executive boardroom, though they can make a small room feel crowded.

Seat size and cushioning

A seat that is too deep presses into the back of the knees, and one that is too shallow leaves taller people unsupported. Conference room chairs with a moderate seat depth, or a seat slider, fit the widest range of users. Molded foam holds its shape longer than cut foam, which matters for conference room chairs that see heavy daily use.

Casters, glides and bases

Use hard casters on carpet and soft casters on hard floors so chairs roll easily without marking the surface. Glides suit side chairs that should stay put. A five star base with a polished aluminum or black finish should match the table legs.

Commercial build and warranty

Look for chairs tested to ANSI/BIFMA commercial seating standards and backed by a long manufacturer warranty. A boardroom chair may see several users a day for ten years or more.

→ Not sure which features matter most for how your team meets? Ask The Office Shop to narrow the options to a short list that fits your room.

How The Office Shop Helps You Choose Conference Room Chairs

Any online store can ship a box of chairs. The Office Shop’s value sits in the planning before the order and the support after the chairs arrive.

It starts with how the room is used. A consultant asks who meets in the room, how long meetings run, and how often clients visit. A boardroom that hosts monthly board meetings needs different conference room chairs than a huddle room used for daily stand ups or a training room that gets rearranged every week.

The room is drawn to scale before anything is ordered. Through the space planning and design service, The Office Shop places the table, chairs, credenza and door swing in a CAD layout and shows you a 3D view. You see how many chairs fit with comfortable clearance before you commit.

The recommendation isn’t tied to one brand. The Office Shop works with more than 60 manufacturers and holds premium dealer status with Global Furniture Group and Groupe Lacasse. Consultants can compare conference room chairs on comfort, price and lead time, then suggest the best fit for your budget.

Budget is planned room by room. The executive boardroom may justify premium conference room chairs, while huddle rooms and training rooms can use more economical lines from the same manufacturer. The Office Shop shows where spending makes a visible difference and where a lower priced chair does the job just as well.

Chairs are matched to the table and the floor. Frame finish, base color and upholstery are coordinated with the conference table, reception seating and workstations so the whole office reads as one design.

Ergonomics are part of the decision. The Office Shop’s ergonomic solutions team reviews seat depth, lumbar support and arm height for the people who will use the room most, including leaders who spend half the day in meetings.

One team handles delivery and installation. The Office Shop’s own crew delivers, assembles, checks each mechanism and removes the packaging. When you add staff later, the team can order matching conference room chairs from the same line so the room stays consistent.

→ Want one team to plan, supply and install your meeting room seating? Book a consultation with The Office Shop and see the layout before you buy.

Conference Room Chairs Available Through The Office Shop

The lines below are conference room chairs The Office Shop supplies and installs across Ontario. Most come in several fabrics, frame finishes and back heights, so a consultant can match them to your table and budget.

Groupe Lacasse Atto Conference Task Seating

Groupe Lacasse Atto Conference Task Seating is designed for meeting rooms where people also settle in for long working sessions. Groupe Lacasse is a Quebec manufacturer and The Office Shop is one of its premium dealers, so Atto pairs naturally with Groupe Lacasse Quorum Boardroom Tables when a client wants the table and chairs from one source.

Workspace 48 Executive Conference Seating

Workspace 48 offers three executive conference lines through The Office Shop: Mode, Metro and Balance. Clients furnishing a client facing boardroom often compare all three on styling and price before choosing.

Global Accord Executive Seating

Global Accord Executive Seating comes from Global Furniture Group, another manufacturer The Office Shop holds premium dealer status with. Accord suits leadership boardrooms that call for a more formal chair.

Global Luray Management Seating

Global Luray Management Seating is a practical choice for everyday meeting rooms where several rooms need matching chairs and the budget has to stretch.

Humanscale Liberty Ergonomic Seating

Humanscale Liberty Ergonomic Seating uses a self adjusting recline, which suits shared rooms where nobody stops to change settings before a meeting.

Keilhauer Cona Executive Seating

Keilhauer builds its seating in Toronto. Keilhauer Cona Executive Seating works well in boardrooms where design matters as much as comfort.

Krug Me Task and Executive Seating

Krug manufactures in Kitchener, Ontario. Krug Me Task and Executive Seating can cover both the boardroom and the leadership offices nearby, which keeps the floor consistent.

Global Duet Stacking Chairs

For training rooms and multipurpose spaces, Global Duet Stacking Chairs stack away when the room is cleared for an event.

For project offices, short leases or tight budgets, The Office Shop’s rentals, used products and consultations service can supply quality commercial conference room chairs at a lower cost.

→ Shortlisted a few conference room chairs and can’t decide? Ask The Office Shop to compare them in your floor plan with pricing and lead times.

How The Office Shop Plans Conference Room Chairs Around Your Table

The number of conference room chairs a room can hold depends on the table, the walls and the way people move through the space. The Office Shop works through these points in every boardroom layout.

Allow about 30 inches of table edge per chair. That gives each person room for a laptop and a notepad. Rooms used for short meetings can tighten to around 24 inches per seat, though wide executive chairs need more.

Leave space to push back. Plan at least 36 inches between the table edge and the wall so people can stand up without bumping it. Where others need to walk behind seated guests, 42 to 48 inches feels far more comfortable.

Choose the table and chairs together. Table shape changes how many chairs fit and how they face each other. A boat shaped or racetrack table, for example, improves sightlines for video calls. Matching table height, apron depth and chair arms is easier when the conference table and seating are specified at the same time.

Plan for overflow. Large rooms often need a row of side chairs along the wall for extra attendees. Stacking or nesting chairs can live in a storage room and come out only when needed.

Match chair type to room type. Rolling conference room chairs with arms suit boardrooms. Armless or side chairs suit small huddle rooms, and stacking chairs suit training rooms that change layout often. Planning the full set of meeting rooms at once keeps conference room chairs consistent across the floor.

Think about technology. Chairs with lower backs keep the camera view clear for remote participants, and a clear walkway to the display wall makes presentations easier.

→ Wondering how many conference room chairs your boardroom can really fit? Send The Office Shop your floor plan for a scaled layout and seat count.

Industries The Office Shop Furnishes With Conference Room Chairs

Meeting rooms look different in every sector, and The Office Shop adjusts its seating recommendations to match.

Corporate and professional service firms. Law firms, accounting practices and consulting firms want boardrooms that impress clients and hold up to daily use. The Office Shop’s commercial office furniture projects often cover the boardroom, private offices and open plan areas on one floor.

Financial establishments. Banks, credit unions and wealth management firms need formal client meeting rooms with seating that looks polished for years. The Office Shop has a dedicated practice for financial establishments.

Healthcare organizations. Hospital administration offices, clinics and dental practices need conference room chairs with cleanable upholstery and sturdy frames. The Office Shop supplies healthcare office furniture for administrative and clinical spaces.

Educational institutions. Schools, colleges and universities furnish board rooms, staff rooms and training rooms that get rearranged often. Stacking and nesting chairs play a big part here, and The Office Shop supports these projects through its educational institutions practice.

Home offices. Executives who run video meetings from home need a chair that looks professional on camera and supports long calls. The Office Shop’s home office furniture range brings commercial quality into a residential setting.

Startups, real estate firms and construction companies round out the client list, along with operators planning coworking space furniture for bookable meeting rooms.

→ Furnishing a clinic boardroom, school staff room or client meeting space with specific needs? Tell The Office Shop about your sector and get seating options that fit.

Where The Office Shop Delivers and Installs Conference Room Chairs

The Office Shop is headquartered at 366 Denison St in Markham and serves organizations across Ontario and Canada.

The team regularly delivers conference room chairs to offices in Toronto, Markham, North York, Mississauga, Vaughan, Oakville, Ottawa and London. It also serves Brampton, Burlington, Newmarket, Bolton, Barrie, Kitchener/Waterloo and Sudbury.

Delivery and setup run through The Office Shop’s office installation and reconfiguration service. Chairs arrive assembled and checked, placed around the table as planned, with packaging removed. The process follows the same steps used for full office furniture installation projects, scaled to the room.

When a new boardroom is part of a larger move, The Office Shop’s moving and relocation management team builds seating delivery into the move schedule. Ordering meeting room furniture early belongs near the top of any office relocation checklist, since most commercial seating is made to order.

→ Moving offices and need your boardroom ready on the first day? Ask The Office Shop to build chair delivery into your move plan.

What Else The Office Shop Handles Beyond Conference Room Chairs

New conference room chairs are often the first step in a bigger refresh, and the same team supports the rest of the office.

When the existing boardroom table and credenza are still in good shape, The Office Shop can plan an office furniture reconfiguration that keeps them and replaces only the seating. Leadership suites can be planned around a new executive desk with matching chairs, and breakout areas next to the boardroom can be furnished with office lounge furniture for informal conversations after a meeting.

Consultants also help companies decide where to buy commercial office furniture when the budget has to cover workstations, reception and meeting rooms at once. Teams that want to improve comfort across the whole floor can pair new seating with wider ergonomic office furniture upgrades.

→ Planning more than a boardroom upgrade this year? Ask The Office Shop for one plan that covers the whole floor.

Choosing Conference Room Chairs With The Office Shop

Good conference room chairs fit the table, suit the length of your meetings and hold up to years of shared use. Most seating problems start when chairs are bought from a photo before the room is planned.

The Office Shop works the other way around. Consultants learn how each room is used, draw the layout to scale, compare conference room chairs across more than 60 manufacturers and install everything with the company’s own team. The result is a meeting room that looks right on day one and stays comfortable as your team grows.

→ Ready to furnish a boardroom your team and clients will be comfortable in? Contact The Office Shop today for a consultation and a custom quote.

→ Want more office planning ideas and new product updates? Follow The Office Shop on LinkedIn.

Conference Room Chairs From The Office Shop: FAQs

Which conference room chair brands does The Office Shop carry?

The Office Shop carries conference room chairs from Groupe Lacasse, Global, Workspace 48, Humanscale, Keilhauer and Krug, among more than 60 manufacturers. Popular lines include Groupe Lacasse Atto, Workspace 48 Mode and Global Accord. Consultants can recommend options at several price points and styles.

How does The Office Shop work out how many conference room chairs fit in my boardroom?

The Office Shop measures the room and draws it to scale in a CAD layout. Consultants place the table, chairs and walkways, allowing roughly 30 inches of table edge per person and enough clearance to push chairs back. You see the seat count in a 3D view before ordering.

Can The Office Shop match new conference room chairs to our existing table?

Yes. The Office Shop checks your table height, apron depth and finish, then recommends chairs with arms that clear the apron and frames that suit the table. This works well when the table is in good condition and only the seating needs replacing.

How long does The Office Shop take to deliver conference room chairs?

Lead times depend on the manufacturer, fabric and finish. Some chairs ship quickly, while made to order upholstery takes longer. The Office Shop confirms timing with your quote and schedules delivery around your move or renovation date.

Does The Office Shop install conference room chairs?

Yes. The Office Shop’s own installation team delivers the chairs, checks each mechanism, places them around the table and removes the packaging. The same team can reconfigure or relocate the chairs later.

Can The Office Shop recommend conference room chairs for a clinic or school?

Yes. The Office Shop supplies healthcare and education clients with chairs that suit those settings, such as cleanable vinyl upholstery for clinics and stacking chairs for school training rooms. Consultants match the chair to the cleaning routine and the way the room is used.

Does The Office Shop offer rental or used conference room chairs?

Yes. The Office Shop offers rentals and used commercial furniture for project offices, short leases and tighter budgets. Consultants can mix rental or used chairs with new pieces where it makes sense.

Which areas does The Office Shop serve for conference room chair delivery?

The Office Shop is based in Markham and delivers across Ontario, including Toronto, North York, Mississauga, Vaughan, Oakville, Brampton, Burlington, Newmarket, Barrie, Kitchener/Waterloo, Ottawa, London and Sudbury. The company also supports projects elsewhere in Canada.