Published: 7 October 2016

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Auditorium Seating Options

What are the keys to building a solid congregation? What makes every service just a little more successful? The ability to create a space for fellowship and learning, and for most churches, that space is the sanctuary. Designing a sanctuary that makes everyone feel welcome, can be a challenge in and of itself, and many churches are facing at least one of these bigger problems with their church auditorium seating.

Problem One – Space in Auditorium Style Seating

Sanctuaries are actually smaller than you think they are. Think of the 80% rule. Once you’ve filled 80% of the seats, your sanctuary is full. Wondering why? There are a few reasons. First, very few parishioners like to sit up front and that’s especially true with new visitors. Second, people want enough personal space. Finally, no one wants to split their family just so they can find those last few seats. So, if you’re hitting that 80% capacity before the service ever even begins, you may have a real issue on your hands. In fact, it may be harming the growth of your congregation.

The solution? Consider expanding your sanctuary seating capacity. The right church auditorium seating from Carroll Seating Company can help give you the space lift you need and ensure a few more people make it to your congregation every Sunday morning.

Problem Two – Auditorium Seating

Many of today’s pastors will tell you that allowing more interaction and participation is the key to creating a strong congregation for one simple reason – it builds fellowship. If you’re looking to create a culture that encourages connections, redesigning the seating is the only real choice you have, even if you already have auditorium style seats. It may be possible to find church seating chairs and create a very different format to every service that will help build the culture you’re looking for.

Whether you need more space in an auditorium style seating arrangement or your current church seating arrangement just isn’t working for you, we can help. Give us a call today to learn more.

Published: 23 March 2016

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Lecture and Theater Seating

If you own or manage a business that requires employee input through presentations, you know the importance of making the presentation room one of the highest priorities. This is where knowledge is transferred the most effectively, and it’s a great opportunity to show your dedication to the business. However, some presentation rooms fall into the “office trap,” causing them to look boring and drab. Here’s why having excellent, high-quality presentation room seating can help your space.

Professionalism Matters

One great reason to have good presentation room seating is to demonstrate how professional your room is and how seriously you take everyone’s input. Having attractive and well-made furniture to seat viewers speaks volumes about your business or space. It tells anyone viewing that you are willing to make a good investment into helping the presenter succeed, and it says that you take the comfort and well-being of everyone seriously, which generally increases morale and makes a benign incentive for people to put effort into their work.

So Does Comfort

In your efforts to make the space more professional, though, don’t overlook the comfort of your employees. Adequate seating can mean the difference between learning and ignoring for your employees. Adding features like the right chairs, tablet arms or tabletops, and more can help your employees make the most out of every presentation.

Don’t Forget Aesthetics

If you pick the right designs, it can complement your room, making it visually attractive. Presentation seating doesn’t have to mean a big contrast to the overall feel of your office. Instead, selecting the perfect design can stimulate the senses and add to the presentation, and with the right mix of art and comfort, your space will truly come alive.

If you need help picking out presentation room seating, don’t hesitate to contact Carroll Seating. We’ll pair you with a project manager who can not only help you choose the right seating for your space, but also walk you through the entire project step by step. Contact us today to learn more.

Published: 14 December 2015

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Seating Solutions

The Best Seating Options for Auditoriums

Thinking of redesigning your auditorium? Working to create the perfect atmosphere in a brand new auditorium? Your seating options matter more than any other design choice you’ll make. How can you ensure you get the best? It starts with the decision to pick up the phone and call Carroll Seating Company.

What’s Going to Work In Your Space?

What works well in your space may not be what works for everyone else. We don’t handle cookie-cutter installations. We design a plan based wholly around your needs. Take a look at a few options you may want to consider.

Fixed Seating: The perfect choice for many auditorium settings, our fixed seating choices mean a sophisticated layout that is flexible enough to fill your space. You can choose from wood and veneer laminate finishes, as well as fully upholstered comfort options that redefine the right combination of beauty and value. Choose from additional options like power and data connectivity, custom mounting, and more to ensure your auditorium is exactly what you imagined.
Telescopic Platform Seating: Most spaces these days are no longer designed to serve one function. Instead, even an auditorium is often a room where multiple purposes must be met, and telescopic platform seating is one of the best ways to do just that. They remain fixed to the wall when not in use so you get the floor area you want, but they easily pull out when you need them to help meet your expectations. Available with wireless control, they’re rigorously tested so you get the safe, comfortable seating surface you want.
Portable Seating: Looking for durable, stylish comfort without the added commitment? Our portable seating options fit the bill. With the freedom to arrange your auditorium in a number of different configurations, these are built to last, no matter what your traffic numbers look like.

Ready to get started? Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you create an auditorium that will stand out from the crowd.

Published: 22 October 2015

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: featured, Lecture and Theater Seating

With hundreds of students entering the classroom this fall, ensuring your learning facilities are adequate to meet their needs is nothing short of a must. While many schools think about the technology students need most to succeed, several overlook the importance of the basics, like comfortable lecture hall seating.

Does It Even Matter?

A chair is a chair is a chair, right? Not quite when it comes to building a productive learning environment. Studies have repeatedly shown that people learn better in comfortable environments, and if you’re selecting something that is about as comfortable as a rock, you’re going to have nearly that level of success in the classroom. The last thing instructors want is students to be concerned about their seating, and providing better options mean they’ll never have to give it a second thought as they move this way or that in their seats working to take notes and pay attention in class.

Are There Any Real Options Out There?

If you haven’t shopped for lecture hall seating recently, you may not even know that there are several options available to meet the needs of your students. Take a look at a few.

Swing Away Seating: Almost the ideal choice for every single lecture hall, swing away seats are easy to maintain and offer any space a streamlines look that’s perfect. Because they’re mounted above the floor, the space is easy to maintain, and you can add options like foam seat covers and more for student comfort.
Beam Seating: Whether you’re searching for radius or straight configurations, fixed beam seating is perfect when you want to maximize the seating space you have on hand. Nothing ever ends up out of place or in the way when you’re talking about fixed beams, and you can even go with additional comfort options like contour foam seats.
Single Pedestal Seating: When you want fixed seating, but you need a bit of individuality, this is a great choice. It gives you more functional space planning, as well as a solid level of comfort.
Multi-Purpose Seating: Perhaps the most flexible choice of all, multi-purpose seating allows you the opportunity to choose from a number of different seating options, but you can move all of it out of the space should you need it for other things. From traditional stacking chair designs that incorporate ergonomic comfort to stylish modern choices that add real character to your classroom, you might be surprised at the number of available options in this category.

Ready to get started? Contact us today for more information. We’ll help you come up with the ideal lecture hall seating to meet your needs.

Published: 20 August 2015

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Lecture and Theater Seating

A good auditorium stays in use all year long. If your school, church or organization maintains an auditorium, keeping it up to date and comfortable is vital to keeping it in use as much as possible. Whether you’re building or renovating, a comfortable, well-appointed auditorium can be your building’s crowning glory as well as its workhorse.

Styles

Choosing a format is the first step in designing your auditorium seating. There 3 basic plans for auditoriums:

Theater: often the best choice for viewing performances or speakers; offers little opportunity for interaction.
Classroom: geared more towards taking notes and interacting with a presenter but not with other participants; may or may not use tables.
Banquet: table and chairs format is best for presentations including meals; offers the most interaction between attendees.

Spacing

Once you’ve chosen your format, check local city and state codes as well as the fire code for measurements on aisles and exits. You’ll need to plan for both a center aisle (typically 4 to 6 feet wide) and side aisles (approximately 4 feet wide) and perhaps breaks between sections depending on the size of the room. Plan on a minimum of about 18-20 inches per seat in theater settings, 2 people per 6 foot table in a classroom format and 8 people to a 5 foot, round table in a banquet plan. Don’t forget to leave room for equipment, lighting and any obstructions, too.

Something Extra

When you’ve got all the functionality set in stone, it’s time to add a little something extra to make your auditorium stand out as the best venue for events. A little pizazz goes a long way! Talk to one of our designers about custom colors, fabrics, logos, end standards, finishes and all the other details that elevate your auditorium from functional space to stylish venue.

Your auditorium will always be in demand if you plan it well and go the extra mile to make it something special. Learn more about different styles, spaces, and extras by visiting Carroll Seating in Elk Grove at 847-434-0909 or visit us online today.

Published: 2 June 2015

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Lecture and Theater Seating

The Lyons Township High School auditorium was in need of updating. School administration hired general contractor Henry Bros Co. for a major school renovation that involved the auditorium, school cafeterias, locker rooms and utility areas. Henry Bros Co. worked with the design team at Carroll Seating to plan a full update their auditorium. Originally built in 1929, the building faced many challenges including tricky sloping.

Here is the auditorium before:

When all options were discussed, the design team chose Hussey’s Quattro Seats. The modular Quattro Collection is built on four superb core styles, each featuring a chair back created for a distinct aesthetic and practical effect. The classic series was chosen for its timeless style, great look and durable polymer outer panel.

Here is a photo after the Carroll Seating installation:

The team at Carroll Seating was pleased with the finished outcome of this auditorium that now seats over 400 patrons. The Carroll Seating team hopes that Lyons Township High School will enjoy it for many school years to come. For more information about this auditorium project, please visit the Carroll Seating website or call us in Elk Grove, IL at 847-434-0909.

Published: 26 August 2014

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Lecture and Theater Seating

Auditoriums make amazing spaces for a variety of different events. From plays and concerts to graduations, special lectures, and even religious services, the right auditorium can mean so much to a facility or a community. As it ages, though, it not only becomes an outdated space, but it may also become more difficult to use. The last thing you want is for it to fall into disrepair. Auditorium remodel is your next logical step, but if you think this can only be a simple facelift, it’s time to reimagine the possibilities.

Preserving the History

Many resist auditorium remodels, citing the history of the area itself and the idea that all of that will be lost once the remodel takes place. That, though, couldn’t be further from the truth. Even in very historic theaters, a remodel is possible, carefully preserving those special elements community members or patrons may not want to see lost in the change. The key here is proper planning. At Carroll Seating Company, our team can help from start to finish. Once you give us a call, you’ll be paired with a project manager who will ensure you get the best possible service, starting with that initial plan.

Potential

One of the best aspects of an auditorium remodel is the fact that you can add so much to your space. From customized, comfortable seating for everyone in the audience to new acoustics and lighting systems, there’s so much that can be done to make the much-needed shift in your space. Carroll Seating company can help. For more than half a century, we’ve been working with spaces just like yours, creating the ideal environment, no matter what that stage is used for again and again. The trusted name in auditorium seating and remodels, we’re the only place to turn as soon as you’re ready. Give us a call today.

Published: 6 August 2013

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Seating Solutions

You probably want every show to be a sellout, but the simple reality is that without the right seating, that’s just not going to happen. Sure, there are amphitheaters where folks still bring their own lawn chairs, but the biggest concerts, shows, and events just don’t book lawn chair facilities. They do, however, select facilities with a good amount of solid seating choices for guests. Before you choose any off-the-shelf solution, though, it’s key to take a needs-inventory for your facility. Here are just a few of the options you may want to consider.

Easy to Clean Seating

Guests are not always quite as considerate as they should be. That can make clean up after an event more difficult than ever. With the right seating choices, though, it could be a far simpler process with the right seating choices. With easier to clean models on the market today, you can select choices that will not only be comfortable for your guests, but easy to keep clean, ensuring your maintenance staff will be happy, even after the messiest possible crowd.

Weather Resistant

amphitheater seating

Amphitheaters often endure some of the harshest weather conditions month after month, even in the off season, and to make certain that you don’t end up replacing your seats for the next season. There are some amazing choices today that are completely weather resistant, helping to give you the durability you’re looking for, whether rain, hail, or even spring snow happens to come your way.

The Right Options

Seats don’t just have to be seats these days. Instead, you can add an entire range of options to your amphitheater seating to help entice people to book tickets with you for every event. Imagine choosing to build cup holders into your seats. Logos are also a good option. Looking for a way to increase the appeal for a VIP seating area? Consider padded seating options, too. It’s all completely possible when you go with a company willing to customize your seating choices to better meet the needs of your crowd.

The Secret to Success – The Best Equipment

No matter what options you choose to add on to your seats, the real secret to success is selecting the best equipment out there. You want something that will stay with you and create the ideal experience for guests whether it’s a concert or a play. Shop around for the perfect equipment before you make your final selection.

Published: 4 June 2013

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Seating Solutions

In many situations, a solid lecture hall is a must. From educational institutions like schools and universities to large company campuses across the nation, lecture halls are critical. The best lecture halls, though, have unique seating choices that meet both the needs of those listening as well as the speakers themselves. Before you simply go with the first lecture hall seating provider listed in a directory, it’s best to carefully consider every aspect of your seating needs.

Tiers – Within most lecture halls, tiers are quite common to allow everyone in the room to have a good view of the instructor as well as the front of the room. One key aspect of choosing the best lecture hall seating style to meet your needs is the number of rows per tier you wish to include. Talk to your designer to see what might fit best within your space.

Seating Styles – There are actually a variety of different seating styles available in the world of lecture hall seating, no matter how many rows per tier you want. Perhaps most traditional is fixed style seating. There are many options here, though. If space is tight, you may want to go with something that allows for maximum comfort while playing to your space needs. You could also go with swivel style seating to allow listeners to interact with those behind them. Portable seating is another option. Folding chairs, stacking chairs, stools and more are all options in a lecture hall. Each, however, tends to work best in conjunction with fixed tables.

Other Options to Consider – Lecture halls are changing these days, and there are so many different options to consider when you think about seating. Don’t forget to factor in ideas like whether you need modesty panels, space for instructors to move about the room, and even space for laptops, coats, bags, and the like.

As you design the ideal seating to meet your needs in a lecture hall, don’t forget to include concerns like handicapped seating options to help you remain ADA compliant. Talk with your project manager about your space, your goals, and your needs to come up with the best possible solution.

Published: 15 January 2013

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Seating Solutions

A Full House Needs Seats
Any auditorium owner will tell you that there is nothing as satisfying than seeing a room full of comfortable audience members enjoying a show. They laugh or they gasp, all in the security of a well-cushioned seat. If you plan on building an auditorium or you want to do some major renovations, auditorium seating is one of the most important factors that you should take into consideration. The right seating can do everything from help set the style of the room to make people want to come back again and again.

Stunning Seating
Seating is available in all sorts of designs and with plenty of options and upscales. It’s all about providing your visitors with ergonomic comfort and things that make them excited to be there. The right company isn’t afraid to customize. In fact, you should look into choosing a company that welcomes customization such as integrating row lighting, cup holders or custom end standards.

Welcome to the Show
Just imagine how your auditorium will look with finished seating. From fifty to several hundred seats, there is no job too large or small for Carroll Seating Company. Each one will demand attention to detail and the right kind of effort to get you exactly what you’re looking for. Getting seating right the first time is important to making sure that your auditorium is exactly how you envisioned. The next step is to fill it up and watch as everyone sinks down into their comfortable seats with absolute satisfaction.