The Meeting Room Is Changing. Is Yours Keeping Up?

The conference room with 12 chairs, one long table, and a screen at the end? It might be time to rethink it.

For years, traditional conference rooms were designed to accommodate larger groups. But with the rise of hybrid work and changing collaboration styles, businesses are taking a closer look at how their meeting spaces are actually being used.

And sometimes, those big conference rooms aren’t so full.

In its workplace research, Allsteel highlights an important consideration: if large meeting rooms are consistently being used by just two or three people, dividing that space into smaller meeting areas may be a more effective use of the office.

The Shift Toward Smaller, Smarter Spaces

Today’s workplace needs to accommodate everything from quick team check-ins to hybrid meetings with colleagues joining remotely.

Instead of relying entirely on traditional conference rooms, companies are incorporating smaller huddle spaces, informal collaboration areas, and multipurpose rooms that can adapt throughout the day.

And the furniture is changing right along with them.

Mobile tables allow teams to rearrange a room in minutes. Modular seating creates more options for collaboration. Integrated power and thoughtful technology placement help remote participants stay connected.

Even acoustics are becoming a bigger part of meeting room design, particularly in open offices where privacy can be hard to find.

Take a Look at Your Calendar

Before redesigning your meeting spaces, consider the meetings happening in your office each week.

How many people typically attend? How often are remote employees joining? Are your largest conference rooms sitting empty while smaller spaces are constantly booked?

The answers can tell you more about your workplace needs than square footage alone.

Rethinking your meeting spaces means thinking smarter and, sometimes, smaller. Connect with Union Office Interiors to start creating spaces that work better for your team.

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