Reception Furniture Buying Guide

Things to consider when buying reception furniture

Reception is where you meet and greet your clients – so make those first impressions count. Create a warm welcome with purpose-built desks, chairs, sofas, side tables and reception cabinets specifically designed for this space.

Choose practical, stylish contract furniture

In addition, reception is a busy space full of people coming and going as well as waiting and working, so furnishings need to be practical, hard-wearing and stylish.

Start your reception design with a desk

The hero piece of the reception area – the reception desk is the key piece of furniture that generally takes pride of place – with supporting furniture like seating and storage arranged around it.

Modern desks are multi-functional

Modern reception desks generally need to serve as more than just an information station. As well as providing a welcome for guests, a functional desk should also enable receptionists to work ergonomically and provide storage.

Types of reception desk:

• Glass reception desks

Popular in modern offices and can often be seen with sculptural front panels and incorporated lighting, allowing them to really stand out as design elements as well as being practical items of furniture.

• Corner reception desks

Also known as an L-shaped reception desk, these two sided desks are a great space-saving solution, freeing up wall space and allowing a receptionist to create a dedicated, secure and tidy area for paperwork and storage.

• Bespoke reception desks

When standard sizes just won’t do, a good contract furniture supplier will be able to provide your dream reception desk in bespoke sizes, allowing you to own a custom-made desk that fits your entrance space as well as your requirements.

Tailor reception seating to visitor behaviour as well as aesthetics

Consider how visitors to your workspace entrance will behave; will they prefer comfortable commercial sofas or individual chairs? What styles of seating will best complement your reception desk and lobby decor?

Different styles of reception seating to consider:

1. Modular seating

Modern, practical designs allow you to make the most of even the most awkwardly shaped rooms and can be rearranged at will. Chairs and modular office sofas from the same modular ranges can be mixed and matched.

2. Reception chairs

Custom made from tough commercial-grade materials – reception chairs can be anything from comfy low armchairs to designer curved lobby chairs, colourful tub chairs or even high backed booth chairs for extra visitor privacy.

3. Reception sofas

With or without arms, with built-in side tables or as clever corner units, modern reception sofas come in a multitude of sizes, shapes, fabrics and colours. Some even have built in charging points so that waiting visitors can stay connected.