What Furniture Should You Have in Your Reception Area?

Comfortable Seating

Seating is important as visitors may need to sit and wait for a short while before they can be greeted and taken into the main work area. So, the seating needs to be comfortable and not too close to the floor, as it can be quite difficult to naturally get to your feet from a low position. Factors to consider include:

• Materials should be durable and easy to maintain – leather is ideal.
• The colour should complement the surrounding décor.
• Style wise go for seating that fits the type of company you are.

Reception Desk

The reception desk will usually be the first thing people see when they walk through the door and the first point of contact with a member of staff. This means it should look professional and present the right image to clients upon their arrival. The reception desk should also be suitable for staff so they can carry out their duties, with a sitting/standing design quite a popular option.

Consider the following:

• Ensure the desk has enough storage space, workspace and the right features for staff.
• Opting for a bespoke reception desk will give you more control over colour, size, shape etc.
• Decide if you need a traditional/contemporary design and additional metal/glass/plastic detailing.

Reception Area Storage

There is a lot of activity in the reception area throughout the day and it can become untidy if not attended to regularly. A big part of keeping the reception area presentable is ensuring there is adequate storage space available.

It can be used for keeping documents and boxes organised, as well as for managing any office-related deliveries that come in. Try to include drawers, cupboards, hooks and slots in convenient places for staff to use, so important items aren’t lost or left strewn around the reception area.

Decorative Elements

Aside from the more obvious piece of reception furniture, there are other elements you can include in a reception area to bring it to life.

For example, adding greenery can make the space feel more inviting and friendly, as well as improving the air quality for people who use it. You can also add in some decorative paintings (nothing too fancy but just to points of interest and colour), while you could include floor rugs and perhaps even a television (most receptions with a TV tend to show 24 news stations).

Lighting

Whether or not your reception area receives a lot of natural light throughout the day, having a good artificial lighting system can help to elevate the space.

The goal is to create a balance so the lighting is not too bright and overpowering or too dimly lit so people have to strain as the natural daylight fades. A well-lit reception area helps to build trust and gives orientation, allowing people to acclimatise to the lighting upon entering and leaving the building.

Things to consider include:

• Consider the size of the reception area and how much lighting is needed.
• Ensure the lighting system is easy to access, adjust and control for staff.
• Lighting can be installed on the floor, walls and ceilings – even desk and floor lamps offer softer options.

Final thoughts

Whether your reception area is large or small, there are lots of reception furniture pieces you can include to make it feel unique. Be sure to include seating – even if you only have room for one or two seats – plenty of storage, an impressive reception desk, some decorative elements to complement your décor and lighting that can elevate the space. Take time to find the right pieces that fit your company image and the final picture will slowly come together in the right way.