Published: 19 May 2015

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: School seating

The best school computer desks are those that facilitate learning and help the students and teacher connect with technology. They need to function and they need to last, even under the rigorous conditions of hours of use. A little form should follow the function, too. Style shouldn’t be ignored just because something is used in school.

The computer desk is a relative newcomer to the school supplies list. Its role has evolved and changed so much in the short time it’s been a “must have” item for most schools. Just a few years ago a computer desk was located in a computer lab and used only for learning the basics of computing. Ethernet connections dictated desk placement and the goal seemed to be to cram as many screens into one room as one could. Student interaction wasn’t even a consideration. Now that technology has been integrated into the entire school day and distance learning has become a viable choice, the needs have changed and the furnishings need to follow.

Now it’s possible to create an engaging, interactive and dynamic learning space where technology is naturally integrated into the environment. Don’t assume you have to follow the old rules. You have a lot of choices now.

Consider how you want your space to function and let the design flow from there. Do you need a place where students can interact and collaborate? Do you need a multimedia display to be the focus? You can split a large room into dedicated zones to serve many needs or focus on a single function. The choices you make will determine the school computer desks you need to purchase.

Once you’ve decided on the function, a little style can be added to the mix. We have custom colors and bold designs that make learning fun. Get creative with your school computer desks and you’ll see that creativity reflected in your students. Our reliable brands and top-notch service will help your vision come to light.

There are a lot of decisions to be made when it comes to choosing the best school computer desks. You’ll need more than a catalog as a guide. Two of the best things you can have is a trained, educated and experienced consultant and a long-standing company with a reputation for excellence.

Carroll Seating has been in business since 1950, working with just like yours. Our consultants are knowledgeable and understand how to fit all your needs while maximizing your budget. We’ll make a great team!

Published: 28 April 2015

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: School seating

Food court seating is all about maximizing seating space without compromising personal space. It’s not an easy task, even for a professional designer. If you’re an industry outsider tasked with planning a break room or similar space, it can seem overwhelming at first. Trust a professional company like Carroll Seating to teach you the rules of food court seating.

Be practical.

The choices in a catalog can look amazing. Professionally photographed tables and modular seating arrangements can really make an impression. However, the shiny pictures might not be at all what your space needs.

Multi-functional pieces in modular designs will give you flexibility. If you space will be multi-use, you need your items to serve in a few different capacities. Even if the space is dedicated solely to food service, you may need the furnishings to grow or shrink with your population.

Be aware (but also beware) of trends.

Those pictures likely feature the newest color, texture and styles. That’s great for choosing an up-to-date feeling. You don’t want your space to be dated before it’s completed after all. Pick up on all the design trends, learn what’s hot now and what the projections may be and then take a step back.

Being on-trend now mean you’ll be out of style eventually. Your space needs a certain amount of timelessness in order to maintain a comfortable feeling and look. It shouldn’t be dated right away but maybe you don’t have to use every new trend either. Talk to your consultant to get a feel for looks that last.

Stay on budget.

It never pays to overpay. Set a budget and stay within the confines you’ve chosen. Your sales consultant can help you make the most of a budget of any size so make good use of their knowledge.

Carroll Seating has more than 60 years of experience helping people create spaces just like yours. Let us show you what we can do for your space.

Published: 6 January 2015

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: School seating, Seating Solutions

Palmer-Hamilton Cafeteria Solutions: The Right Choice

School cafeterias must serve many roles these days. They’re no longer simply spaces for eating and socializing in the middle of the day. Now they often serve additional purposes outside of lunchroom meals. In some cases, they must be storage space. In others, they serve as additional classroom space. With so many different roles to play, the right solutions for storage, seating, and more are a must, and when you need the perfect cafeteria solution, there’s only one name we recommend – Palmer Hamilton.

Innovative Beauty
Even in cases where cafeterias are just used to serve food, setting the right tone for students is essential, and good furnishings can do just that. Palmer Hamilton has a unique corner on the market there. Their tables and food court style seating isn’t just useful for the multi-functional needs of today’s cafeterias, but it’s also absolutely gorgeous. Eye catching and durable, it’s all completely customizable, so adding logos to the tables that feature mascots and motivational quotes is never a problem.

A Variety of Options
The other real benefit of Palmer Hamilton is the number of options available to schools. The traditional cafeteria tables are certainly a choice, and there are a range of possibilities there. From standard bench tables to a variety of shapes and those that come with stools, standard cafeteria tables don’t have to look quite like they once did. If you need something a bit different like food court style seating, Palmer Hamilton can help there too with booths, free standing tables, and even comfortable lounge furniture for a corner area of your cafeteria.

What’s going to work for your school cafeteria? We can help you find the right solution. With our design services and Palmer Hamilton’s catalog of options at your fingertips, we’ll create the perfect space to reflect the needs of your school.

Published: 30 December 2014

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: School seating

When you think back to your school days, whether sitting on a carpet to listen to your kindergarten teacher read a story or trudging through the halls in high school, which words come to mind? We’re sure you have a long list – and that “comfort” is not high on it. Research shows, however, that the environment in which students learn has a significant impact on their learning. A comfortable, well-planned classroom is a critical component of education. So how do you choose the best K-12 desks and chairs?
A few considerations to keep in mind when choosing classroom desks and chairs:

Soft padding on chairs. There isn’t any empirical evidence that sitting on a hard chair improves IQs or test scores! Padding can make students much more comfortable – and stop some of the fidgeting and moving around that is so common in classrooms.
Height. Choosing desks and chairs with appropriate heights is critical for both function and comfort. A kindergartner for instance, will be quite content with a 12-inch chair. For a high school senior, that small chair will quickly become a torture device. Carroll Seating Company can help you achieve the right fit for students from kindergarten through high school.
Durability. Schools never have unlimited budgets, so you need to choose products that stand up to continuous use year after year. We use only the best materials from respected manufacturers to ensure you get the high quality your school and students deserve. And it helps when they remain just as comfortable on Day 1000 as they were on Day 1.
Purpose. The days of endless rows of desks are over in many schools. Classrooms are much more dynamic, and teachers need to provide space and furniture to accommodate activity centers, collaborative work, computer work stations, space for individual and quiet work, and more. Think about what students need at different ages. Which desks and chairs will meet those requirements and help them learn? At the same time, which offer the flexibility teachers need to regroup, rearrange, and reenergize their classrooms?
Versatility. Today’s designs are intended to be configured and reconfigured so educators can accomplish different goals. One day, class might center around collaborative group work. The next, students work independently on writing projects. The next…well, the options are endless. Some chair designs, too, accommodate different levels of activity. So if students need to twist, turn, get up, and get down for active learning, their chairs can keep up while keeping children comfortable.
Technology integration. Solutions can also help teachers integrate technology, from grounded power plugs to connectivity aids, to different areas of the classroom without snaking dangerous power cords all over the floor.

When students have a well-equipped, well-planned classroom, they’re more prepared to learn. Desks and chairs are essential tools for education. Ensuring greater comfort can facilitate better academic and social results. That’s asking a lot of your furniture – but Carroll Seating will help you deliver.

Published: 16 December 2014

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: School seating

Think back to your school days, from sitting on hard chairs for reading time to walking along the halls in high school. Which words come to mind? We’re guessing “comfort” isn’t one of them! But research shows that the environment in which students are educated has a major impact on learning. A well-planned, comfortable classroom is critical. What kind of K-12 desks and chairs will help kids get comfy – and well-educated!
Here are a few considerations to keep in mind when selecting classroom desks and chairs:

Soft padding. It’s a basic, but it can keep students from fidgeting throughout classes.
Height. It seems obvious, but choosing appropriate heights is critical. A kindergarten student, for instance, will be comfortable with a seat that measures 12 inches in height. For a high school senior, that chair will turn into a torture device quickly! We can help you select the right fit for kindergarten students through to those much taller seniors.
Durability. Unfortunately, schools do not have unlimited budgets. You need to choose products that will stand up to continuous use year after year. Carroll Seating Company uses only the highest-quality materials from respected manufacturers, ensuring you receive desks and chairs that will last.
Purpose. The days of straight rows are (in many schools) over. Today’s classrooms are more dynamic: there are different activity stations, areas for collaborative work, work stations for computers, and space for individual or quiet work. What do students in first grade need? How about those in 10th grade? Think about which models will meet those requirements, but at the same time, offer the flexibility educators need to rearrange, regroup, and reenergize their classes.

While desks and chairs often get pushed to the bottom of the budget list, they are essential tools for education. Ensuring greater comfort can facilitate better academic and social results. That’s asking a lot of your furniture – but Carroll Seating will help you deliver.

Published: 4 November 2014

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: School seating

Building the perfect cafeteria setting is never easy. After all, just the word cafeteria evokes all sorts of odd memories in people, and most of them aren’t very positive. Setting the right mood, though, can help change that perception, and often that starts with great seating options. At Carroll Seating Company, we’re proud to carry a complete line of Mitchell Furniture Systems, ideal for your office or school cafeteria.

The Mitchell Name
Mitchell has been one of the top brands in cafeteria seating for some time, and it’s completely understandable. They not only have some of the best products at great prices, but all of their options are designed to create real-life solutions in the difficult cafeteria environment. The company’s commitment to better seating options began in the 1940s with their Victory Tables, and today, they’ve continue to innovate and create tables with the ideas of storage and better use of space at the forefront.

Great Options
Schools have so many different spaces they use as cafeterias, and Mitchell understands that and creates products to fit. From wall mounted choices that fold up against wall in anything from single to triple depth to help better utilize the space to creative cafeteria tables that fold and store as necessary, they offer durable products made to withstand even the toughest users – kids!

Let Us Help
Not sure where to even begin as you search for the right cafeteria tables? We can help. With design services, dedicated project managers, and a team who knows how to create the ideal cafeteria, no matter what the setting, we have the experience, knowledge, and skills that are perfect for you. Contact us today to learn more about your Mitchell cafeteria seating options and to begin building the best possible cafeteria you can!

Published: 20 May 2014

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: School seating, Seating Solutions

Even if your outdoor seating system has served you well in the past, all good things must come to an end at some point. When is the end of outdoor seating and what are your options for replacement? Do some exploration now.

The End is Near

You may realize that it’s time to update or replace your outdoor seating options when a number of different situations occur. First, if your crowd size has simply outgrown what once worked for your facility, you may want to look at doing some updates. If, for example, you currently have a solid set of bleachers on a school football field but your population has tripled in size since the bleachers were installed, it may be time to look to additional bleachers or other options entirely. Continue to abuse the bleachers with too much weight, and you could have a real safety issue on your hands.

Another reason you may need to make some changes is that your current system has been in use too long. If, during a routine safety inspection, you realize that things just don’t look as sturdy as they once did, replacement is the only option to consider. Thanks to the elements, outdoor seating systems do actually expire, and paying attention to that end when it happens is essential to protect your patrons.

What’s Next?

Fortunately, once you do decide that it’s time to make some replacements, you have lots of different options available. From traditional aluminum bleachers to powder coated amazement as well as custom layouts, we have the outdoor seating options your field needs, no matter what. Contact us today to learn more about your options or for an outdoor seating inspection to determine if your patrons can continue using your current seating choices safely.

Published: 15 April 2014

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: School seating

If you’re like many school districts these days, getting the most from the equipment you already have on hand is an absolute priority. The numbers just aren’t there to continually buy new equipment, and students today are anything but gentle with what you already have. Nowhere is this more true than in the cafeteria, but is there anything you can really do to extend the life of your tables and chairs? Absolutely.

Proper Adjustments: One of the single most important things you can do to get the most out of both your tables and chairs is to make certain they’re properly adjusted. While most are well adjusted when you initially order them, over time, movement, cleaning, and misuse can often put them at risk. If they continue to be loose, wobbly, or a poor fit, you will start to notice deterioration, and that can only lead to replacement in the long run. Make certain your maintenance staff knows how to perform the right adjustments to your tables and chairs, and if they don’t, contact the professionals for help.

Cleaning Procedures: Not every surface can be cleaned using the same chemicals. Some surfaces demand the gentle touch of soap and water, while others can take a much rougher scrubbing. Know exactly what can and cannot be used before you start wiping down the tables after lunch. You’ll save the surface of the table as well as quite a bit of money in the long run.

Immediate Repairs: If something is wrong with a table or chair, make certain your maintenance staff addresses it immediately. Having students sitting in the chair or at the table will not only cause further problems, it could also be a safety issue. If you’re not sure how to address a repair, bring in a technician who can help.

Whether you need new cafeteria tables and chairs or you require repair services, Carroll Seating is here to help with the services you need most. Contact us today to learn more.

Published: 4 February 2014

Written by Carroll Seating

1 Comment

Categories: School seating

Almost every space in your school needs a good seating option. Take a moment to do a quick mental inventory. Despite the fact that every classroom in your building may have a different function, all of them need both a place to sit and a place to work. From traditional desks and chairs to lab tables to computer stations, students can’t learn without the proper seating spaces. Your gym also needs a safe seating space, likely in the form of telescopic bleachers. The lunchroom needs good seating options. The library needs both seating and work space options. Even your offices and boardroom need better choices. The better the seating, the more welcoming the atmosphere. Fortunately, Carroll Seating is here to help.

Lots of Seating, Just One Solution

Created more than half a century ago by Patrick Carroll, Sr., we’ve been serving school seating needs just like yours for generations. Whether you need the right bleachers in the gym or you’re looking to make your cafeteria feel a bit more like a café, we have the right solution. With lab casework for your science classrooms and shelving for your library, our services are so complete, you won’t need another company for help. We can even help outfit your basketball team with the right equipment to win the championship this season.

Carroll Seating finds serving the school market with the right products essential, but we also offer a complete line of service and repair that ensure you always find turnkey help with us. We’ll not only step in at the design phase of a project, making the right suggestions to create the ideal space, but we’ll be there past installation to help with all of your repair needs down the line.

Your school depends of great furnishings in every room, so let us help make that a reality. To learn more about our complete line of goods and services, please contact us today.

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Published: 14 January 2014

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: School seating

There are lots of great brands when it comes to cafeteria and folding tables, but few could be as dynamic as Mitchell. With the phenomenal ability to offer more seating in areas you previously thought limited, Mitchell is the way to move forward.

The Mitchell Advantage

One of the best aspects about Mitchell is that the company is wholly focused on designing solutions to real situations. Their designs are nothing short of ingenious in most cases, and the craftsmanship is certainly completed with durability alone in mind. Mitchell initially got its start in 1896 in the world of dairy equipment, but with the World War II efforts, they patented a folding table design that has long since enhanced and improved cafeterias like yours everywhere.

Your Options with Mitchell

If you’re thinking Mitchell, get ready for some real options. If you’re just interested in the tables themselves, you can choose from a number of shapes and sizes, all of which fold to give you the flexibility you need throughout your facility. Want tables with attached seating? That’s an option as well. Like their non-seating counterparts, they come in the perfect configurations to meet your needs, but they’re just as durable as any other choice on the market. Their full line of ConverTable benches offer movement from a table with seating to a bench in an instant. The classic folding leg tables work well anywhere, not just in your cafeteria. The wall mounted systems they have come with a Sur-Lock system that help to increase security in a multi-purpose room.

Lots of Choices

No matter which line you choose to move forward with, you’re going to get the choices that will make your selection perfect. Choose sizes, laminate color, edge treatments, and even table and bench top material choices.

If you’re in the market to change the face of your cafeteria, Mitchell is easily one of the best brands to consider.