Office tables are a multipurpose pieces of furniture that can transform almost any space. Many office tables are part of a matching office furniture set. Others are a stand-alone piece of furniture that you can incorporate into the decor of the room.

There are numerous types of office tables available. In order to choose the office table that fits your needs, consider the following office tables basics:

1. Choose boardroom tables as the centerpiece of a meeting room.

2. Make moving office tables easy by ordering modular office tables.

3. Use specialty office tables to make completing projects as comfortable and as easy as possible.

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Find an appropriate boardroom table

A conference room table is ideal for a meeting room or board room. There are numerous styles and sizes of conference tables. Small round conference tables are ideal for a meeting with only a few people. Large conference tables, which are usually rectangular or race track shaped, are ideal for meeting with a large number of people.

I recommend: OfficeFurniture2Go.com sells a varied selection of business tables. This company offers free shipping and a lifetime warranty on all items it sells. CSN Office Furniture has a large selection of conference tables, including round conference tables. This company offers free shipping on many meeting tables.

Consider purchasing modular office tables

If you need a table that is easy to move, your best option may be a modular office table. Furniture that is temporary doesn't have to match the decor of the room. You can easily camouflage a modular table with a nice tablecloth to make it work in any room.

I recommend: You can find a varied selection of modular office tables at ivgStores. This company offers modular conference tables sets that are fully customizable. Cymax Stores has numerous modular office tables for sale. This company has models with folding legs or slab legs with casters to make moving them easier.

Invest in specialty office tables

Some office tables are made for specific purposes. Drafting tables, drawing tables and writing tables are all examples of specialty office tables. Many specialty office tables are available in either plastic, metal or wood. In some cases, only plastic or metal is available.

I recommend: OfficeFurniture.com sells a varied selection of office tables, including writing tables and drafting tables. This company offers a very good warranty on all items it sells. AnytimeProducts.com offers a full selection of office tables, including drafting tables, art tables and writing tables. This company offers cash payment discounts and quantity discounts for qualifying orders.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Some office tables come as a complete set that includes chairs. If the table you order doesn't have chairs included, ask the company if matching chairs are available for the table. If you will use the chairs for lengthy meetings, consider buying ergonomic chairs with armrests.

Without office tables, it would be hard to get any work done. These simple office furniture items are a necessity in nearly every area of an office — reception area, breakroom, mailroom and conference room. Conference tables, office desks and other office tables can actually help streamline work activities. Not only that, the style you choose for your office tables reveals volumes about your business to clients and customers.

Before you buy office desks and conference tables ask yourself the following:

1. How many office tables do I need?
2. How much money can I spend on office desks?
3. Does it matter if I buy new or used office tables?
4. What size office furniture will fit?

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For basic office tables, shop office supply stores and discount retailers

If you'd like to get the feel for office tables in person, visit one of your local office furniture dealers. Taking a seat at office desks might help you better determine what size and style would be best for your business.

I recommend: You can find a number of office tables and office desks at OfficeMax in a variety of price ranges. Find hundreds of affordable office tables at Office Depot. For small office tabletops with a modern design, visit IKEA.

Buy conference tables that suit the look and needs of your business

Meeting tables come in a variety of styles and sizes - as small as six feet to as large as 30 feet. Available in contemporary and traditional styles, conference tables and boardroom tables should match the overall look of your office. Look for meeting tables that incorporate technology hook-ups.

I recommend: Modern Office offers a vast selection of conference tables, meeting tables and boardroom tables that offer access to power and data. The sleek conference tables sold by 247 Workspace allow for easy wiring from the floor to the surface and state of the art electrical and data ports. The conference tables and boardroom tables sold by jazzyexpo.com have a modern look and many provide teleconference data ports and wiring management.

Save big by buying used office tables

Used office tables offer a cost effective option, and many are in such good condition you won't be able to tell that they've been through their share of meetings.

I recommend: Search for used office tables, conference tables, office desks and workstations at FurnitureFinders.com. Better Source Liquidators offers affordable used office tables, conference tables and office desks. Also check out the online catalog of pre-owned furniture at OldWorkstations.com.

Buy specialty office tables

Do your employees need to work on drafting tables? Will you be training employees on site? Office tables are available for all facets of business life.

I recommend: If it’s cafeteria tables you’re after, these lunch room tables from Old WorkStations are available with plastic stacking chairs. National Business Furniture sells a variety of office tables, including these drafting tables and training room tables.

Purchase office tables for breakrooms, reception areas and more

When shopping for office tables, don't forget about your lobby area, breakroom and mailroom. Folding tables also come in handy for certain projects.

I recommend: CSN Office Furniture sells a variety of office tables, including reception area tables and folding tables. Find breakroom tables and reception area tables at National Business Furniture. Mity-Lite offers a range of folding office tables for a variety of temporary uses.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If your used office tables look a little tired, give them an inexpensive facelift with a fresh coat of paint.
• •  Measure the dimensions of your conference room so you don't purchase conference tables that are too big or too small for the space.
• •  Many office furniture retailers offer payment plans that let you pay for your office tables in installments.
• •  Allow at least four feet of space around meeting tables for chairs and walking space.
• •  The number of users corresponds to the size of conference tables and boardroom tables. For example, if your table is 10 feet, it can accommodate 10 people.

Office tables can be used in a variety of ways. Many office tables match other office furniture. In some cases, the table, such as a boardroom table, is the centerpiece of the room. Other times, the table is simply an accent piece of furniture.

Making the most of office tables in your business means that you are getting as much use of the tables as possible. Consider these suggestions to make the office tables work for you:

1. Use office tables to show off your product or promote your business.

2. Hide clutter and store items under your tablecloth topped meeting tables.

3. Encourage teamwork and productivity by placing office tables in pairs or clusters.

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Showcase your promotional items or product samples on a boardroom table

You can use office tables, such as large conference tables to display promotional items or representative samples of your products for prospective clients or investors. Adding a tablecloth and a few risers or decorations can complete the display on the table. If you need to use the table to hold a meeting, consider placing a display of items or samples in the center of the table. Remember to make sure that everyone can see each other while seated if you do this.

I recommend: OfficeFurniture.com offers office tables in various sizes and shapes, including quarter round, trapezoid and half moon, that can be used for a display table. This company offers a good warranty on all items it sells. CSN Office Furniture has a varied selection of office tables, including training tables that are ideal for portable functional displays.

Store large items under a conference table

Placing a tablecloth over a standard or modular meeting tables gives you some extra storage space for boxes of files or bulky items, such as an overhead projector. When you use your office tables as a makeshift storage area, make sure that the tablecloth grazes the floor on the front and sides to fully hide the things under the table. Some square and rectangular conference tables have a center partition. In this case, you can place the table against a wall so you can store items behind the partition while people work on the front part of the table.

I recommend: Everything Furniture sells numerous office tables. Some of these tables feature drawers to make storage easier. BizChair has a varied selection of business tables, including adjustable height tables to make storing large items under the table easy.

Increase productivity by clustering office tables

Some office tables can be hooked together or placed against each other. These types of office tables encourage teamwork. A team that works together is more likely to stay motivated to work since their team members are watching them. Employees that are motivated are more productive than employees that aren't motivated.

I recommend: You can find a varied selection of office tables, including training tables and team workstations at AnytimeProducts.com. This company offers volume and cash payment discounts. Ergo In Demand sells cluster office tables which can be used individually or in sets to encourage teamwork.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Any table can, even folding tables, can make a good conference room table. You can place multiple tables together and cover them with a tablecloth, which can serve as a large conference table.

While it might seem like a mundane detail, buying office tables actually involves a number of considerations. Different types of office tables facilitate much of what goes on within a company, from team meetings to client meetings, as well as important brainstorming sessions. Knowing about some of the terms involved in picking out quality office tables will help managers and buyers make good style choices, find the tables that will deliver results and outfit their companies for the 21st century.

Action Steps
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Meeting tables

A meeting table is any kind of table that companies use to facilitate meetings. That said, there are more common types and styles of meeting tables. When buying meeting tables, it's important to think about sizes, shapes and other features that will complement uses and make office spaces both functional and professional in appearance.

I recommend: See more about meeting tables in various styles at Ergo in Demand.

Wiring

Wiring is putting wires into a table to facilitate advanced technology. 'Wiring' a table is a somewhat new phenomenon, and wiring for technology hookups can be built into a modern office table design.

I recommend: See some visual details on wiring a conference table at Stoneline Designs.

Data ports

Data ports are cabled socket hookups that serve laptops, modems and anything else that needs to be plugged in around a table. Buyers can also find data ports equipped with USB connectivity for laptops and other gear.

I recommend: Get visuals on data port options at Everything Furniture.

Laminate

One kind of office table material that gets a lot of attention is laminate. Laminate is a synthetic material that provides a lot of durability for many consumer products. In addition to wood, metal or glass, buyers can choose this type of material for a synthetic 'wooden' look.

I recommend: Find out more about laminate office tables at 360 Office Furniture.

Wheelchair-accessible tables

Wheelchair-accessible tables are tables that include various features for the wheelchair-bound. Buyers can look for these designs for reaching ADA compliance or for accommodating a worker with a physical disability.

I recommend: Find visuals and details on wheelchair accessible tables at Hertz Furniture Systems.

Gauge

Gauge is the weight and strength of a piece of steel. The gauge of steel used in constructing metal office tables has an impact on the durability of the tables for everyday use. Inspect tables thoroughly or get sufficient specs before purchasing.

I recommend: Find out more about gauge of steel and some other great quality indicators for office tables at BuyerZone.