Meetings are a vital part of working life, but too often they can feel dull, static, or unproductive. At Clerkenwell Design Week, we were inspired by the influx of innovative meeting furniture designed to transform how teams collaborate. From soft seating and standing meeting tables to private meeting pods, the right setup can make every office meeting more engaging and productive. Here are a few design-led ways to improve the way we meet.
Break the mould with soft seating
When you picture a meeting room, more often than not, you’ll imagine a rigid setup. But this doesn’t have to be the case. Soft seating is being used more frequently in meeting areas for a variety of reasons. It invites relaxed conversation, encourages creativity, and is perfect for anything from informal brainstorms to one-to-one meetings. Soft seating can enhance dedicated meeting environments, but it also works brilliantly in breakout zones or open-plan offices. Paired with a coffee table, it creates a flexible space for casual meetings or quick catch-ups.
Armchairs and sofas bring a warm, welcoming feel to the workplace, helping to make meeting spaces more dynamic, collaborative, and relaxed. The Bow Lounge range by Espattio was designed to create softer spaces that encourage conversation and the exchange of ideas, making it an ideal choice for a modern meeting environment.
Get energised with standing meeting tables
To add variety to the types of meetings you host, a standing meeting table can offer many benefits. Standing meetings are often shorter and more focused, making them ideal for daily catch-ups, quick check-ins, or team updates. Using a standing desk for your meeting encourages movement and better posture, while adding energy and variety to the workday. For flexibility, pair a sit-stand meeting desk with a few high stools so staff can choose whether to stand or sit during their meetings.
Create focus with meeting pods
Meeting pods come in all shapes, sizes, colours, and finishes to suit every business need. They provide a private, enclosed space without requiring additional rooms in the office. Popular uses include private meetings, interviews, hybrid meetings, or focused collaboration sessions. By adding a meeting pod, even the busiest open-plan offices can benefit from a dedicated private meeting space that enhances concentration and reduces distractions.
Meeting pods can be adapted to suit different needs. One of the best meeting pod systems we saw at Clerkenwell Design Week was the Orangebox Campers & Dens range. This is a unique, demountable system that can be removed and repositioned, additionally useful in case of moving offices. Campers & Dens offers unrivalled adaptability and is built for today’s fast-evolving and constantly changing workplace. Each system can be custom designed to suit your needs.
Combine to suit your culture
Every business is different, so you can mix and match these elements to meet your meeting needs. Layering the options available for meetings adds flexibility to your office, accommodates different personalities and supports a variety of meeting styles.
At Love Your Workspace, we believe the right meeting furniture can completely transform the way your teams connect and collaborate. From soft seating and standing meeting tables to fully equipped meeting pods, we can help you design spaces that make every meeting more productive and enjoyable. Get in touch with our team today to explore how we can create meeting solutions tailored to your workplace culture.