Introduction
This website presents four layout options for a 14' × 17' room designed to accommodate 8 persons. Each layout is tailored for different purposes and activities, providing flexibility in how the space can be utilized.
Room Specifications
- Room Dimensions: 14 feet (width) × 17 feet (length)
- Total Area: 238 square feet
- Door Placement: Centered on one of the shorter walls (14-foot wall)
- Window Placement: Centered on one of the longer walls (17-foot wall)
Layout Option 1: Conference/Meeting Setup
Description
This conference/meeting setup features a centrally positioned rectangular conference table with dimensions of 8 feet by 4 feet. The table is oriented with its longer side parallel to the longer dimension of the room (17 feet), allowing for comfortable seating and adequate clearance around all sides.
Eight conference chairs are arranged around the table, with three chairs positioned along each long side and one chair at each short end. This arrangement provides each person with approximately 24-30 inches of table edge space, ensuring comfortable seating during meetings.
Furniture Selection
- 1 Rectangular Conference Table (8' × 4')
- 8 Conference Chairs (22" × 22")
- 1 Credenza/Sideboard (5' × 1.5')
- Optional: Wall-mounted display screen or whiteboard (6' × 4')
Advantages
- Formal setting ideal for business meetings
- Equal seating positions promote collaborative discussion
- Clear sightlines for all participants
- Sufficient space for presentation equipment
- Professional atmosphere
Limitations
- Less flexible for reconfiguration
- Limited space for additional furniture
- More formal, less casual interaction
Layout Option 2: Classroom/Training Setup
Description
This classroom/training setup transforms the room into an educational space with four workstations arranged in two rows. Each workstation measures 4 feet by 2.5 feet and accommodates two people, for a total of eight participants. The workstations are arranged in a classroom-style configuration with all participants facing the front of the room.
The workstations are positioned with their longer sides parallel to the shorter dimension of the room (14 feet), creating two rows with two workstations in each row. This arrangement creates a central aisle between the rows, facilitating instructor movement and interaction with participants.
Furniture Selection
- 4 Training Tables/Workstations (4' × 2.5')
- 8 Classroom Chairs (20" × 20")
- 1 Instructor Desk (4' × 2.5')
- 1 Whiteboard/Presentation Area (6' × 4')
Advantages
- Focused learning environment
- Clear sightlines to presentation area
- Structured setup for formal training
- Sufficient workspace for each participant
- Good instructor-participant interaction
Limitations
- Less collaborative than other setups
- Limited interaction between participants
- Fixed orientation limits flexibility
- Less suitable for interactive group work
Layout Option 3: Collaborative Workspace
Description
This collaborative workspace setup creates an open, flexible environment designed for team projects and interactive work. The layout features four workstations, each measuring 4 feet by 2.5 feet, arranged in L-shape configurations to create collaborative zones while maintaining open space for movement and interaction.
Eight task chairs with wheels are distributed around the workstations, allowing participants to easily move between individual and group work. The mobility of the chairs enables quick reconfiguration for different types of collaborative activities, from small group discussions to full team meetings.
Furniture Selection
- 4 Modular Workstations (4' × 2.5')
- 8 Task Chairs (22" × 22") with wheels
- 2 Whiteboards (4' × 3')
- 1 Storage Unit/Bookcase (4' × 1.5')
Advantages
- Highly flexible for different types of collaborative work
- Promotes interaction and communication
- Supports both individual and group activities
- Multiple visual collaboration spaces
- Easy reconfiguration for different project needs
Limitations
- Less formal than conference setup
- Limited privacy for individual work
- May be noisy during active collaboration
- Requires careful management of shared resources
Layout Option 4: Living/Social Space
Description
This living/social space layout creates a comfortable, casual environment ideal for social gatherings, informal meetings, or relaxation. The arrangement features two loveseats positioned perpendicular to each other in an L-shape configuration, creating a defined conversation area. Each loveseat accommodates 2-3 people, providing seating for 4-6 individuals.
Three armchairs are strategically placed to complete the seating arrangement, accommodating an additional 3 people. A workstation (4' × 2.5') is added in the corner to provide a dedicated space for individual work when needed. This layout brings the total seating capacity to 7-9 people, meeting the requirement for 8 persons while allowing flexibility for different group sizes.
Furniture Selection
- 2 Loveseats/Small Sofas (5' × 3')
- 3 Armchairs (30" × 30")
- 1 Coffee Table (3.5' × 2')
- 2 Side Tables (20" × 20")
- 1 Media Console (5' × 1.5')
- 1 Workstation (4' × 2.5')
Advantages
- Casual, comfortable environment for social interaction
- Flexible seating for different group dynamics
- Supports multiple conversation groups
- Accommodates various activities (discussions, games, media viewing)
- Creates a warm, inviting atmosphere
Limitations
- Less suitable for formal meetings or presentations
- Limited workspace for productive activities
- May require additional lighting for reading or detailed work
- Less efficient use of space for structured activities
Recommendations
Based on the room dimensions and the requirement to accommodate 8 persons, we recommend considering the following factors when selecting a layout:
Primary Purpose
Choose the layout that best aligns with the primary activities that will take place in the room:
- For formal meetings and presentations: Conference/Meeting Setup
- For training and educational activities: Classroom/Training Setup
- For team projects and collaborative work: Collaborative Workspace
- For social gatherings and casual interactions: Living/Social Space
Flexibility Needs
If the room needs to serve multiple purposes, consider:
- The Collaborative Workspace offers the most flexibility for reconfiguration
- The Living/Social Space can accommodate both casual and semi-formal gatherings
- The Conference and Classroom setups are more specialized but provide optimal experiences for their intended purposes
Traffic Flow
All layouts maintain minimum clearances for comfortable movement, but:
- The Conference setup offers the most consistent clearance around the central table
- The Classroom setup provides a clear central aisle
- The Collaborative and Living setups create more varied pathways through the space
Visual Focus
Consider where attention should be directed:
- Conference and Classroom setups have clear focal points
- Collaborative and Living setups encourage more distributed interaction
Each layout represents a different approach to utilizing the 14' × 17' space effectively while accommodating 8 persons comfortably. The final selection should be based on the specific needs, activities, and preferences of the users.