Meetings were built to be functional, with little evidence of design. From the late 18th century they tended to become large and commodious.

The interiors were simple, with no embellishments and were constructed in a manner which prevented members from observing the outside world. Buildings were set well back from a main street, windows were placed high with the sills not less than four feet or four feet six inches from the ground. The lower part of the walls were panelled from the window sill down to a fixed seat, the upper section of the walls being plastered.