Setting up a meeting space can be quite a challenge. Not only must you work within the constraints of the actual space, but it is also important to ensure that everyone attending the meeting has a good view of presenters and is able to easily communicate.

The first step in setting up meeting room furniture for a successful meeting is to choose a layout. There are actually several different meeting space plans that can be used, allowing you to select a plan that will comfortably accommodate the number of people attending the space as well as work well with the space available.

The classroom floor plan is one of the most well known and traditional plans for a meeting. This layout involves places rows of tables and chairs. The number of people that can be accommodated with this layout will depend upon the size of the tables. A six foot table can easily accommodate two people while an eight foot table can accommodate three people. The only problem with this layout is that it can be difficult for everyone to interact.

Another option is the theater floor plan. This layout features rows of chairs with space for aisles. This plan may be used in an auditorium, which is a good idea when the meeting is formal in nature.

A banquet floor plan typically involves the use of round 6′ round tables that can accommodate up to ten people each. The benefit of this type of layout is that is more easily allows for interaction among members at each table, but may make it more difficult for the entire group to interact. The banquet floor plan is more commonly used for dining events.

A boardroom floor plan is a common layout which features participants sitting around a single table environment. This layout ensures that everyone attending the meeting can have close interaction with one another.

credit

Another common floor plan is the U-shape. The table and chairs are arranged so that a U is formed at the front of the room, where a speaker will lead the meeting. The benefit of this layout is that it also allows audio-visual equipment to be placed in the center of the U shape. This is an excellent plan to use when you need an interactive presentation or when speakers need to frequently exchange ideas with meeting participants. The U-shaped floor plan is also an excellent layout to use with rectangle shaped rooms.

Finally, you might consider using the hollow square layout. This plan is much like the U-shape with the exception that the fourth side is closed off so that a rectangle or square is formed. In addition, this plan features an open space in the midst of the table. This plan is best utilized for mid-sized rooms and when you need to accommodate a fair number of people who need to be able to interact with one another. It is an excellent option to use for brainstorming sessions as well as when everyone needs to contribute to the discussion at hand.