Reception Desks

What types of office reception desks are there?

Corner - corner reception desks are designed to create a corner for privacy or to provide extra workspace. Ideal for two people to share, they come in an L-shape configuration and the return can be either on the left or right hand side when sitting. Straight - where lobby space is at a premium a straight unit can often be the most suitable solution. The straight version is the most efficient and economical way to seat 2, 3 or 4 receptionists with room underneath for dedicated storage and cable management.

Circular or Round - for clinic waiting room areas where the counter needs to be in the middle of the room or placed away from the walls, round or circular units are a practical and stylish furniture solution. They also work well as feature furnishing in large and open plan, design-led work spaces. U-Shaped - the U shaped large unit is a wraparound design with workspace to the front, left and right hand sides of the user, allowing for ample storage space within. Their size and executive presence makes them most suitable for traditional corporate-style lobby areas and large rooms.

Standing - these are most suitable for busy spaces like art galleries, museums, hotels, clinics and high-traffic areas with a constant flow of people, where the receptionist needs to be at the same height as the visitor. Consider a standing desk anywhere the user needs to frequently meet and greet.

What is included with the desk?

The level of integrated features will depend on the style of counter you choose. Popular features include:

Cable management - this is a standard feature on most modern reception desks so cables are safely hidden away. Options include cable trays, grommet holes in the top surface of the desk, cable hatches and desk to floor cable channels. Cable hatches are particularly useful for charging mobile phones or ipads. Lighting - LED lighting is usually a standard feature and more decorative options are available including colour changes to match a brand or gradual colour changes.

Power & USB chargers - these are optional extras but necessary to allow quick access to plugs or charging points. Plug options include three pin UK plug socket, USB charging socket, HDMI, VGA and ethernet RJ45. Most of the power units are modular and can be made using one, two, three or four sockets per unit. Storage - most units have a range of matching cabinets which can be integrated, lockable and feature sliding doors or pedestal drawers. Lockable cabinets can range from 80cm high up to 200cm high with bespoke widths and heights to fit those tricky spaces. Cabinets can also include pull out hanging files, metal shelves for very heavy items and coat hooks for staff and visitors.

What is the furniture made from?

There are many different materials to choose from including:

Coloured Glass - the same as a toughened glass window but with a colour on one side to create a stylish and glossy sleek finish. Colours include red, blue, green, yellow, white and black glass. The main advantage of glass is it can be easily wiped down and will look great for years. Laminate - similar to a kitchen work surface, laminates are hard wearing, easy to clean, scratch resistant, heat resistant and stain resistant. Satin colours include white which is usually the most popular colour, grey, black and wood effect finishes like oak and walnut.

Metal - used to create elegant curves and increase the colour range, metal desks can be finished in over 124 RAL colours making it easy to colour match with branding or detailing. Metal is most suitable for making retro style desks like the Classic Desk with its curved corner and chrome strip detailing that gives it the American diner look and feel.