A Guide to Choosing the Correct Furniture | Westcountry Group

Choosing the right classroom furniture for schools is a key part of the interior design process. You need to find tables and chairs that are right for your students and the school environment – this includes furniture that is functional, aesthetically pleasing, and cost-effective.

Here at the Westcountry Group, we have been helping schools across the UK with their interior design needs for many years. In this article, we take a look at some of things you need to consider when choosing furniture for schools.

Size

Like all children, students grow. Between their first and last days in school, they will grow a lot, whether in primary or secondary education. Finding classroom furniture that accommodates all year groups can be difficult, so most schools design different areas of the school to be suitable for different age groups. By choosing the right sized furniture, you can ensure everyone is sitting comfortably and with correct posture.

The European Classroom Furniture Standard (BS EN 1729)

A quick and simple way to ensure you have the right sized furniture for schools is to purchase tables and desks that are compliant with BS EN1729 guidance. This recommends standard heights for classroom furniture based on the average height for a given age range. This makes it easier to buy suitable furniture in a variety of sizes, knowing that they will still put to good use year on year.

Size mark 1 | Colour code: Orange
Age 3-4
Chair Height: 260mm
Desk Height: 460mm

Size mark 2 | Colour code: Purple
Age 4-6
Chair Height: 310mm
Desk Height: 530mm

Size mark 3 | Colour code: Yellow
Age 6-8
Chair Height: 350mm
Desk Height: 590mm

Size mark 4 | Colour code: Red
Age 8-11
Chair Height: 380mm
Desk Height: 640mm

Size mark 5 | Colour code: Green
Age 11-14
Chair Height: 430mm
Desk Height: 710mm

Size mark 6 | Colour code: Blue
Age 14+
Chair Height: 460mm
Desk Height: 760mm

Built to Last

Classroom furniture needs to withstand regular use by enthusiastic children. This means they need to be well-constructed with no safety concerns associated with student clambering over them, sitting on them, moving them around the room, and so on. Find a furniture manufacturer or supplier with a reputation for providing long-lasting furniture.

Mobile and multifunctional

Most modern classrooms don’t follow the traditional trend of rows of desks facing forward. Different layouts allow for more effective teaching methods and these might change from one class to the next. You need classroom furniture that can easily be rearranged to provide a suitable learning environment for the lesson at hand, while also having the right safety features in place to prevent trapped fingers, injured shins, and so on.

Cost-effective

Cost-effective is not the same as cheap. There are many budget lines of classroom furniture that can only be considered tables and chairs by default. Real value for money comes with quality furniture that offers a comfortable classroom environments and promises to be an investment, still being used by generations of students to come.

Here at Westcountry Group, we cover every aspect of school interior design, including choosing the right furniture for you and  your students. We design the ideal school interiors to meet your specific requirements. Contact the team today on 0330 030 0330 to arrange a consultation or to get a free, no-obligation quote for our services.