Most boardroom tables are sold by length, but the number that matters is how many people can sit around them comfortably. A boardroom table that is too small crowds the meeting, and one that is too big leaves no room to walk behind the chairs. This guide covers seating per table length, the clearance a room needs, table shapes, bases and cable access, with seven tables and prices.
The tables here come from our boardroom tables range, with sizes and seating taken from the product pages.
How many people a boardroom table seats
A simple rule of thumb is to allow about 600mm of table edge for each person, or more for a roomier meeting. Count the seats along both long sides, then add one at each end if the table is wide enough. The table below applies that guide to common sizes, and notes where a product page states its own seating.
| Table size | Seats, as a rough guide | Examples in this guide |
|---|---|---|
| 900mm round | Up to 4 | Logan Round Meeting Table |
| 1200mm round | 4 to 6 | Logan Round Meeting Table |
| 1800 × 900mm | 6 | Typhoon Boardroom Table |
| 2400 × 1200mm | 8 to 10 | Virginia Walnut Potenza, stated as 8 to 10 |
| 3000 × 1200mm | 10 to 12 | Casnan Potenza Large and Novara Large, both stated as up to 12 |
| 3200 × 1200mm | 10 to 12 | Typhoon Boardroom Table |
| 3600 × 1200mm | 12 to 14 | Plantation 6 Leg Large Boardroom Table |
| 4800 × 1200mm | 16 to 18 | Typhoon Boardroom Table or Plantation 6 Leg Large |
Leave room around the table
The room has to fit the chairs as well as the table. As a practical guide, allow about 1000mm between the table edge and the wall so people can pull their chairs out and sit down. Allow closer to 1200mm where people need to walk behind seated guests, or where a credenza stands against the wall.
To check a room, add the clearance to both sides of the table. A 2400 × 1200mm table with 1000mm all round needs a clear floor area of about 4400 × 3200mm.
Boardroom table shapes: rectangular, boat and round
Straight-edged tables are the most flexible, and they scale well. The Typhoon Boardroom Table (from $586) comes in 1800 × 900, 2400 × 1200, 3200 × 1200 and 4800 × 1200mm sizes. The largest size is made from two 2400mm tables. Smaller sizes use a single-stage frame and larger ones a dual-stage frame, on a polished aluminium base with adjustable feet.
A boat-shaped table is wider in the middle and narrower at the ends, so people along the sides can see each other more easily. The Logan Boat Conference Table ($507) is 2400mm long, 1200mm wide and 730mm high, with a 25mm top. It comes in Beech and Ironstone, White and Ironstone, or Oak and White.
For a larger boardroom, the Novara Boardroom Table - Large (from $2,927) seats 10 to 12 people at 3000 × 1200mm. Its boat shape is designed to improve visibility and communication around the table. The two-piece top is zebrano timber veneer on aluminium feet, with an optional cable tray.
Round tables put everyone at the same distance from each other, which suits smaller, less formal meetings. The Logan Round Meeting Table (from $189) comes in 900mm or 1200mm diameters, at 730mm high with adjustable feet. More options are in our meeting tables range.
Bases, legs and knee room
The base decides where people can sit. Legs at the corners can get in the way of the end seats, while legs and frames set in from the edge keep more of the perimeter clear for knees and chair arms.
The Virginia Walnut Potenza Boardroom Table (2400mm x 1200mm) (from $1,709) seats 8 to 10 people around a one-piece melamine top with shark-nose edging. It stands on aluminium feet and can be ordered with or without a cable tray.
The Casnan Potenza Boardroom Table - Large (3000mm x 1200mm) (from $2,160) adds a third leg under its two-piece top. The legs are black and chrome with aluminium feet. It seats 8 to 10 people, or 10 to 12 at full capacity, and also has an optional cable tray.
For the longest rooms, the Plantation 6 Leg Large Boardroom Table (from $1,497) comes in 3600 × 1200mm or 4800 × 1200mm. Six solid oak legs carry a 25mm E1 melamine top in Studio White or New Oak, supplied in two pieces. The table is 720mm high and has a 10-year warranty.
Planning a boardroom in an Australian office
- Cable access. Screens, laptops and video calls need power at the table. The Potenza and Novara tables offer a cable tray to keep cords tidy, so plan where power and data will reach the table.
- Finishes. The tables here cover walnut and zebrano looks, oak, beech and white, so the boardroom can match the rest of the fit-out.
- Chairs. Seating changes how a table feels as much as its size does. Our guide to boardroom chairs covers the options.
- Delivery. Tables arrive flat-packed unless the product page says assembled, and delivery is to the ground-floor entrance. Each product page has a Delivery line naming its metro cities.
Not every meeting needs a boardroom. For four to six people, a round meeting table often does the job in a smaller room.
Boardroom tables — frequently asked questions
How many people does a 2400mm boardroom table seat?
Usually 8 to 10. The Virginia Walnut Potenza at 2400 × 1200mm is stated to seat 8 to 10 people.
How much space do you need around a boardroom table?
Allow about 1000mm between the table edge and the wall for chairs to pull out. Allow closer to 1200mm where people need to walk behind seated guests.
Is a boat-shaped boardroom table better than a rectangular one?
It depends on the meeting. A boat shape helps people along the sides see each other, while a straight-edged table can be extended, as the largest Typhoon size joins two tables.
When is a meeting table enough?
For four to six people in a smaller room, a round meeting table such as the 1200mm Logan Round usually works better than a boardroom table.
Shop the range
Every table in this guide is listed below in the order it appears. For seating, browse our meeting and boardroom chairs.
- Typhoon Boardroom Table (from $586): four sizes from 1800mm to 4800mm on a polished aluminium base
- Logan Boat Conference Table ($507): a 2400mm boat-shaped table in three two-tone finishes
- Novara Boardroom Table - Large (from $2,927): a 3000mm zebrano veneer boat-shaped table for 10 to 12
- Logan Round Meeting Table (from $189): a 900mm or 1200mm round table for smaller meetings
- Virginia Walnut Potenza Boardroom Table (2400mm x 1200mm) (from $1,709): seats 8 to 10, with an optional cable tray
- Casnan Potenza Boardroom Table - Large (3000mm x 1200mm) (from $2,160): a 3000mm table on three legs, seating up to 12
- Plantation 6 Leg Large Boardroom Table (from $1,497): 3600mm or 4800mm long on six solid oak legs
Metro delivery is a flat $75 per order, and prices include GST.
