Published: 3 February 2015

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Casework & Millwork

Shared work surfaces are often a must in today’s increasingly small work areas, but that, in and of itself, creates a problem. They can be a breeding ground for all sorts of issues, including viruses as well as the germs and bacteria that so often cause infections. In an office setting, that means far less productivity. In a lab setting, it’s nothing short of devastating. Is there an answer that doesn’t mean adding a second facility? Absolutely – antimicrobial work surfaces.

Are They Really Better?

Antimicrobial work surfaces really are far better. They’re designed to help prevent the growth of 99% of the most common forms of bacteria found to inhabit work surfaces including rhinovirus, Staph, and even Pneumonia. Even if you’re currently using one of the many antimicrobial products on the market today to help kill germs on surfaces, you’re just not doing enough. It could take up to ten minutes to fully sanitize a work space from one user to the next. While sanitizing wipes can certainly do the job, do you actually have that much down time in any given day? By completely inhibiting the growth of bacteria and germs in the first place, antimicrobial work surfaces are a far more effective solution.

Perhaps the best part of these surfaces is the level of durability you’ll see. As resistant to surface wear as any other product on the market, you’ll find the perfect way to make your offices or lab look great while still keeping the workspace as clean and healthy as possible.

Ready to get started? Contact us today to learn more about the best solution to reducing the spread of germs in your facility. Whether you’re looking for an entirely new look to your office or you just want to accomplish this singular goal, we can help.

Published: 28 January 2015

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Seating Solutions

Learning in the 21st century has become a fairly hot topic in recent days. Students now simply don’t need the same skills students did just a few decades ago, so classrooms and other learning areas prize critical and creative thinking with collaboration to ensure students have the necessary skills to move forward in life. Unfortunately, most schools are set up for a very different kind of learning. Flexibility and information literacy aren’t always part of the classroom layout, so while teachers and administrators are rethinking the curriculum, they have to be rethinking the layout of a classroom as well. These design ideas can help you rethink your learning spaces.

Classroom Flow: Collaboration has to be at the forefront of everything your teachers do in the classroom. As a result, you have to create spaces that are ready to foster creative energy in groups. The classic desks and chairs don’t always work well for that. Instead, comfortable tables and chairs that are configurable for a variety of projects tend to work well. Open spaces also work well so students feel like they can move among groups to get projects completed.

Multimedia Friendly: Technological and face to face learning have to work well in the 21st century classroom, so every design you create needs to be ready to integrate technology at a moment’s notice. Whether that means projectors so students can see an instructor’s screen, data connections for students, or even simply space to use tablets and laptops, classrooms should be as wired for technology as they are for students. Don’t forget to factor lighting into this equation, as something as simple as the screen in the wrong place in the afternoon could make a room completely unusable.

Classroom Look: The aesthetic appeal of a classroom has to play a central role in 21st century learning design as well. The goal is to build a student-centered experience where kids feel comfortable enough to learn. That means both a physical and mental sense of ease, and a big part of that comes from the choices you make. Everything from the color of classroom walls to the flooring choices to the furniture you fill the room with can contribute to it, so ensure you’re working toward harmony with teach of the choices, as well as a level of simplicity so the classroom can be easily repurposed in the future as learning needs change.

Good designs can be difficult to achieve in today’s learning environment, which is a big part of the reason you may want to choose a trusted guide to help you through the experience. Carroll Seating can help. The premier school furniture company, we have the project managers, design experts, and catalog to help you build the perfect classroom to meet your needs. Contact us today to learn more.

Published: 20 January 2015

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Furnishing a Library

Libraries, like many spaces these days, are changing quickly. Technology has done a number on these spaces, even in the school environment, and keeping up with the shift can be difficult. While physical materials are still a staple of libraries, so is the need for multimedia spaces. The right shelving solution can help you make the most of the space available for all of the types of materials, but what factors should you take into consideration before you select shelving? Keep reading to learn more:

Think Portability: If you have the need to move your library design to accommodate various groups, you may want to go with more portable mobile designs to help gate off sections of the library to accommodate any groups you have visiting. The ability to reconfigure, even if you don’t require portability, should also be considered, as you may want to shift your library layout during certain times of the school year.

Think Height: Understanding your population can make a big difference in the type of shelving you choose to meet your needs. If you regularly serve younger elementary children, you may want to go with shorter bookcases so they can reach all of the available materials. If you have older kids and you need to maximize your space, floor to ceiling models are easily the way to go.

Think Space: If you have spacing concerns, you may want to invest in double faced library shelving, as it is the ideal way to display the most possible materials without utilizing too much of your floor area. While this type of shelving can be pricier, it can also help you make the most of the area you have available.

At Carroll Seating Company, we carry a complete catalog of library shelving to help meet your needs. Contact us today to help address your design concerns and find the right solution to meet your needs.

Published: 14 January 2015

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Casework & Millwork

Is Stainless Steel the Right Choice for your Equipment and Cabinets?

In a healthcare environment or even a traditional lab, the ideal design materials have to play a starring role. Many these days are turning to stainless steel as the perfect material. Does it really measure up? Take a look.

Durability: One of the toughest materials on the market today, stainless steel can take almost anything you have to give out. It’s corrosion resistant, which is great in a lab setting, and it’s ready to handle the heaviest possible loads to help give you the space you need.

Reconfigurable: If your labs frequently change responsibilities and projects, stainless steel is the way to go because you can typically move, relocate, and use them again, depending on the models and styles you purchase. This is great in today’s healthcare environment where the need to make ongoing changes is simply a given.

Easy to Clean: In labs and other healthcare settings, cleanliness is not an option. Stainless steel surfaces are easy to keep clean. They’re nonporous, so they don’t suffer the drawbacks so many others do. Moreover, they can’t be harmed by many solutions, making them ideal.

Customizable: Just as other casework options can be made to fit the needs of your facility, so can stainless steel casework. They can be designed to specifically meet the needs of your lab or healthcare setting, so no matter how complex the need, we can help you design the perfect setting to reach your goals.

Stainless steel equipment and cabinets is easily the way to go with your lab space. From design to installation to service, Carroll Seating can help you find the right casework to meet your facility’s needs. With a full catalog of options and the experience necessary to help you move forward faster, we’re ready to help you now. To learn more, contact us today.

Published: 9 January 2015

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Lecture and Theater Seating

A more efficient layout – it can define student success both at the high school level and at the higher education level. Poor designs mean it can be difficult to connect with the instructor, hear the lecture, and effectively take notes. In an environment where learning is a must, proper lecture room design has to be considered.

Sight Lines: Today’s lectures are far from the droning old professor who simply moves from one point to the next without the need for students to even catch sight of him during the course of the lecture. Instead, they often involve multimedia demonstrations that students have to continually observe to truly remember. In some cases, they involve projectors, document cameras, and screens, while in the sciences, they often involve experiments. Ensure sight lines are maintained as you design the seating area.

Connectivity: Students are far from the pen and paper days of just a few years ago. Many will have tablets, laptops, and smart phones, some of which may require data or power connections at a student’s fingertips to function properly. These connections should be part of the planning process to ensure students have continual access to the materials they most require.

Aisle Spacing: Getting the right aisle design can be tricky, as you can lose viewing space trying to create the best possible aisle. In most cases, you want to avoid a center aisle and go with side aisles. Cross aisles can help, too, but they may not fit within the design. Consider a variety of layouts to ensure you get the best possible viewing area for all students.

Accessibility: Students with accessibility issues must also be able to enjoy the same opportunities as other students in the class, so creating specialized seating areas to address those concerns should be a priority during the process.

A lecture hall can be one of the best spaces within your school, but creating the right level of balance is the only way to optimize it. To learn more about how we can help, contact us today.

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: 23 December 2014

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Lecture and Theater Seating

When people file into auditoriums, it’s the shows they are excited to see: the plays, the musicals, the concerts, the performances. Whether they are there to cheer on a family member dance or watch a world-renowned composer lead a full orchestra, the last thing they are thinking about is the seats. But if they are old and uncomfortable, it will be all they can think about during the show. You can update an old auditorium – and ensure patrons come back again and again – with new seating.

Give Old Buildings New Charm, Beauty, and Comfort with New Seating

We’ve all been to theaters and auditoriums that have clearly seen better days. Dingy, worn, uncomfortable. Even if we’re seeing the same show, it casts a pall over the whole event. Old auditoriums, though, often have wonderful architectural features and charm that new buildings can’t match.

You can have your theater and your popcorn too! Updating the seating is arguably the most effective way to bring new light to old buildings. It significantly enhances the aesthetic quality of the space and provides every patron with “the best seat in the house” – no matter where they’re sitting.

If your auditorium features lectures, demonstrations, workshops, presentations, and other interactive performances, your new seating can also encompass data and power. Participants can power up and connect to the information they need. This not only keeps them engaged, it reflects well on your establishment.

You needs may be more simple: comfortable seating that looks great. We can help you with that too. Whether you need to coordinate with your brand or décor colors, want to incorporate your logo, or would like special detailing, Carroll Seating Company can deliver the look and feel you want. More importantly, we can help you deliver the look and feel your customers want.

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: 2 December 2014

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Casework & Millwork

What to Consider When Deciding on University Student Housing Security Desks

While parents may be worried about academics and students more concerned with parties or friends, one thing that everyone can agree on is this: security is paramount on university campuses. Onsite housing has to be secure; operating fully-equipped security desks is a must to ensure safety and give both parents and students more peace-of-mind. What should you consider when choosing your security desks?
Keep the following questions in mind when selecting university student housing security desks:

What type of functionality do you need? Security desks can be equipped with a number of features, depending on your particular needs. These include: work spaces (for computers), locked drawers and/or boxes, transaction counter for people to sign in and out, casters for portability, and locked alert boxes so students and others can leave messages in the event that someone needs help. Carroll Seating Company specializes in creating customized solutions for your work spaces. When you identify a need, we will make sure it is filled with our products.
What size will work best for your residential building? Security desks can come in a variety of sizes, as well as custom sizes. Are space concerns a primary factor? Do you need room for more than one employee at the desk?
Do you want university branding and customization? Security desks perform an important function, but they can also pull double duty. Why not brand them with your school’s colors, mascot, and slogan, or the name of the particular residence. This can help create a cohesive appearance among campus housing and a sense of community.

Safety is a major concern for students and universities; opting for customized security desks will help your school provide the safe environment on-campus residents need and depend on as they walk to classes in the morning and to and from the library (or a party!) at night.