The How To of Conference Room Planning


There is more to creating a powerful conference room than simply finding the right fit and size for your room. It requires quality, style and personalized service to order a new table.

This conference room planning guide is offered as an efficient tool that can help you get started on the process of selecting and buying your conference room furniture. There are practical size & code requirements for fitting conference furniture into a room. The most important consideration is the size of your room because the conference table’s size, its shape, the size of the chairs and any ancillary storage credenzas,  must be planned according to your room’s capacity.  It is very important that the room does not appear cramped or crowded.

The charts and guide lines provided here are a starting point. You must know what size table you are going to need in order to obtain accurate quotes.  When you look at a photo and see 10 chairs around a table generally you’re looking at a 10’ table with four chairs on each side and one chair at the ends of the table.  A quick way to find the appropriate size table is take the length of the room and subtract 10 feet. This allows 5 feet at the head of the table for walk space. If you have a 22 foot room a 12 foot table is a great fit. Yes, you can go for a larger table if you are willing to sacrifice walk way space. But remember that there are code minimums that need to be considered Not all conference tables have the same kneespace clearance and you might have to settle for fewer chairs around the table than the standard guide lines that are listed here permit.





Spacing Guidelines:

  • Allow 48″ between table and wall for minimum clearances
  • Allow 56″ between table and wall for more comfortable space
  • Allow 16″ to walk sideways between chair and wall
  • Allow 24″ to walk between chair and wall without turning sideways
  • Allow 30″ side to side per chair
  • Allow 32″ to 34″ between table and back of chair to rise from chair
  • Allow 38″ to 40″ between table and back of chair to rise from chair when confined by other sitters
  • Allow 56″ between table and visual display board
  • Allow 36″ bending space to use under counter cabinets or lower shelves of bookcase
  • Allow 72″ between table and wall for 24″-deep storage towers and credenzas
  • Allow 30″ between table and back of chair to use keyboard
  • Allow 24″ to 30″ for standing and presenting material on wall
  • TV or monitor viewing recommended at 30 to 45 degrees from center of the screen.

Size and Seating Capacity “Cheat Sheet”

Conference Table Size Seating Capacity Suggested Room Size Minimum Room Size
72″ (6′) L x 48″ W 4-6 15′ 4″ x 13′ 4″ 14′ x 12′
84″ (7′) L x 48″ W 4-6 16′ 4″ x 13′ 4″ 15′ x 12′
96″ (8′) L x 48″ W 6-8 17′ 4″ x 13′ 4″ 16′ x 12′
120″ (10′) L x 48″ W 8-10 19′ 4″ x 13′ 4″ 18′ x 12′
144″ (12′) L x 48″ W 10-12 21′ 4″ x 13′ 4″ 20′ x 12′
150″ (12.5′) L x 48″ W 10-12 21′ 10″ x 13′ 4″ 21′ x 12′
168″ (14′) L x 48″ W 12-14 23′ 4″ x 13′ 4″ 22′ x 12
120″ (10′) L x 58″ W 8-10 19′ 4″ x 14′ 2″ 18′ x 12′ 10″
144″ (12′) L x 58″ W 10-12 21′ 4″ x 14′ 2″ 20′ x 12′ 10″
150″ (12.5′) L x 58″ W 10-12 22′ 4″ x 14′ 2″ 21′ x 12′ 10″
168″ (14′) L x 58″ W 12-14 23′ 4″ x 14′ 2″ 22 x 12′ 10″
180″ (15′) L x 58″ W 12-14 24′ 4″ x 14′ 2″ 23′ x 12′ 10″
192″ (16′) L x 58″ W 14-16 25′ 4″ x 14′ 2″ 24′ x 12′ 10″
240″ (20′) L x 58″ W 18-20 29′ 4″ x 14′ 2″ 28′ x 12′ 10″
288″ (24′) L x 58″ W 22-24 33′ 4″ x 14′ 2″ 32′ x 12′ 10″

Seating Capacity: Chart suggests a range from comfortable seating to full seating.

Suggested Room Size: Allows 56″ to walk between wall and chair back, 32″ to rise from table, and 24″ to walk.

Minimum Room Size: Allows Minimum of 48″ to walk sideways between wall and chair back, 32″ to rise from table, and 16″ to pass.

Storage: If you are adding credenzas and storage remember that most storage is 20” or 24” deep. You must also take door swing clearances into consideration.



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Disclaimer: These guidelines are offereds for general reference purposes only; each space planning project is different and should be managed with the guidance of an experienced professional. Ambience Dore offers these services, please inquire for details. Ambience Dore assumes no liability for consequences resulting from data errors, or potential misinterpretation or misapplication of the information presented on this web site.

Pay attention to the room entrance, the windows and any columns that will  impact the placement and size of table and chairs.  If you have any questions make a quick sketch of your room layout, fill in the measurements and email the sketch to [email protected] . We’ll be happy to help you with your conference room space plan.