In most environments, furniture just needs to be comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. But in work and learning spaces, furniture also serves to support the audiovisual (AV) equipment. That’s a big ask because AV technology is a considerable investment and essential to the operations of modern businesses, schools, and government agencies. These are some considerations when furnishing spaces at your organization.
How furniture impacts your AV equipment
Users may appreciate a table that is sturdy, provides access to a power source, and doesn’t have them knocking elbows with their peers. But the AV equipment in a meeting room–like displays, microphones, and digital whiteboards–have their own requirements. These requirements include ensuring airflow, maintaining optimal temperatures, and keeping cables out of the way.
Outside of collaboration rooms, there are PCs, servers, video walls, and more that all have environmental, management, and servicing needs. Equipment and telecommunications rooms can get even more complex.
The good news is that AV furniture is engineered to accommodate the needs of costly equipment and support its longevity. Some of the furniture you can find designed for AV equipment includes:
- Carts
- Tables
- Lecterns
- Credenzas
- Display stands
- Equipment racks
Considerations when choosing furniture for AV
To help keep your AV equipment running smoothly for as long as possible, consider the distinct needs of this kind of technology.
- Flexibility and mobility
AV equipment should be accessible and easy to set up, use, and maintain. Offices and classrooms also require the flexibility to move equipment to different spaces or to accommodate a variety of uses. - Security
Choose tamper-proof enclosures for sensitive equipment. Protect data by segregating and locking equipment. - Environmental controls
Maintain airflow and protect AV equipment from heat, humidity, and dust that can damage equipment and shorten its lifespan. - Power monitoring and management
Ensure equipment keeps running reliably by choosing furniture with surge protection, uninterruptible power supply units, and other power control features. - Storage and organization
Furniture designed for AV can include space for accessory storage and organization, as well as rackmount spaces. Cable management features improve your space and prevent bends and other stressors that can damage cables. - Ergonomics
AV-friendly furniture can also be designed to enhance the comfort, wellness, and performance of users.
In addition to those functions, consider what other features and design elements are important for your organization and users. For example, just because a piece is functional doesn’t mean style should go out the window. Consider whether you have the ability to customize furniture to fit with the aesthetic of your space.
Other considerations include the ease of installation, servicing, and use. Furniture designed for AV equipment includes features missing from other furniture.
The importance of choosing AV furniture
In offices, conference rooms, collaboration spaces–anywhere you have audiovisual equipment–thoughtfully designed AV furniture extends the life of equipment to protect your valuable technology investments.
For specifics on why the right furniture matters for your AV equipment, join the experts of Legrand AV’s Middle Atlantic for the webinar “Six Reasons Why AV Design Matters For Furniture.” They will explain why thoughtful design is important for the optimal performance, durability, and longevity of your AV equipment. They will also cover topics such as thermal management, humidity control, ergonomics, security, and cable management.
