10 Steps to a More Welcoming Reception Area

Table of Contents:

• Key Takeaways
• Get the Right Furniture
• Invest in Good Lighting
• Get the Right Temperature
• Table Space
• Incorporate Some Greenery
• Water Station
• Try A Feature Wall
• Consider a Booth
• Don’t Forget the Floor
• Hire the Right Staff
• Conclusion

Key Takeaways:

• Your reception area introduces your business.
• Furniture can make or break your waiting area.
• Lighting, temperature and greenery are important features.
• Bare walls can be uninspiring.
• Pay attention to your floor.
• MyUsed Furniture offers a stunning collection of used reception furniture.

Your reception area is the first impression visitors have of your workplace setup. Rightly or wrongly, they will make snap judgements on your business and how well they think you will perform, based on your reception area.

The best reception areas are not just comfortable and welcoming, but spark the imagination and encourage inspiration.

Here are a few tips to help ensure your reception area creates a positive first impression.

1.   Get the Right Reception Furniture

Reception furniture sets the tone of your office. Is it soft and plush? Playful and quirky? Even a little bit edgy?

Your style and business philosophy can be conveyed quickly through your choice of furniture.

Comfortable Seating

No matter how lovely the space is, if you have uncomfortable seating, no one is going to be happy to wait.

Uncomfortable seats can affect your posture and your mood. Not the best first impression for a potential client or future colleague.

The size of the space will determine whether you provide a sofa, armchairs or something different, such as stools or a bench. The only rule is that guests can sit comfortably, rather than have to perch or balance.

Reception Desk

The reception desk may be the first item of furniture you see when you walk in the door. It needs to introduce the business even as the receptionist is greeting you.

It’s also essential that your receptionist has a comfortable office chair and a desk at the right height, since much of their work is sedentary.

Some reception counters incorporate lights or a company logo.

Others offer concealed storage space to keep things looking neat and tidy.

2.   Invest in Good Lighting

Lighting is where many reception areas fail. Either the lights are far too bright, assaulting your eyes on entrance, or they are too dim to provide adequate illumination.

Warmer white light is best for waiting areas. It is easy on the eyes and creates a relaxing mood.

You can also use lights to highlight features or points of pride, such as company logos, artwork or a trophy cabinet full of industry awards.

3.   Get the Right Temperature

The optimal temperature for a UK office is 18-23 degrees. This temperature range is for warmth, comfort and productivity, so aim for the higher end in your reception area, if possible.

Roller or venetian blinds can help block out harmful UV rays and maintain your preferred temperature, while enabling natural light to flow.

4.   Table Space

A good waiting area should also provide some table space. Whether to read through notes or simply somewhere to put your cup down, a coffee table is an important feature in any waiting space.

Bonus points if the table is close to or equipped with a USB or charging portal for phones and laptops.

5.   Incorporate Some Greenery

Bringing a little bit of the outside in is one of the favourite tricks of interior designers, no matter the space. In your own home, you can choose between your favourite fresh flowers or house plants.

In an office environment, plants are typically a better fit than floral arrangements. Fewer people are allergic to plants than to flowers. They last far longer. And some are super simple to maintain.

Some plants are believed to help purify air, improve the mood and even aid productivity.

Remember to regularly water your plants (or choose something like a cactus or aloe vera, which don’t require as much watering).

6.   Water Station

You should always provide guests with refreshments, but a water station enables them to get their own, which is much appreciated on a hot day.

Remember to keep it topped up and ensure the water is at a pleasant temperature.

7.   Try A Feature Wall

Bare walls on all sides can feel a bit clinical. Great for a doctor’s surgery. Not so much for a marketing company. If you want to stand out, try a feature wall.

This could be a large decal of your logo, commissioned artwork by a local artist, or inspirational quotes related to your business ethos.

A subtler way to implement this is to incorporate the colours of your logo into your soft furnishings – e.g., a bright orange cushion on a neutral chair.

8.   Consider a Booth

A large reception area can also act as a breakout space for informal meetings and brainstorming sessions.

Consider installing a booth with high backs and squashy seats for comfort and privacy.

9.   Don’t Forget the Floor

Dirty carpets or dingy floor tiles are often overlooked but important aspects of your workspace. Plush carpets look and feel luxurious. However, they are difficult to keep clean in high footfall areas. Linoleum is more practical and can be wiped clean, but it can look cheap and may discolour with prolonged use.

Many offices favour wood-effect laminate as an affordable happy medium.

10. Hire the Right Staff

Ensure you have the right people representing your company. A rude or unhelpful receptionist can ruin a company’s reputation and cause clients to go elsewhere.

No matter the size of your business, your receptionist needs to know the company inside out, be friendly and welcoming and facilitate a smooth transition into the building.

Conclusion

Furniture, lighting, temperature and personnel are the keys to a warm and welcoming reception area. But remember to also inject some of the brand’s personality into the space. Make it come alive with the judicial use of colour, artworks and greenery.

Above all, you want visitors to find the space pleasant and be happy to spend time there.

How MyUsed Furniture can help

We can’t help you with your recruitment. But we do offer a fantastic range of refurnished reception furniture, including sofas, booth seating, visitor chairs, reception counters, office chairs and coffee tables.

You can browse our full selection of new and used office furniture here.