This is the lobby, or reception, for short. This is the first thing clients see when they visit your office and the last place they view before leaving. A bright and cheery receptionist is universally acknowledged as the optimal method of greeting visitors to a workplace. So what kinds of decor and seating arrangements work best in a welcome area? The reception area doubles as the waiting room in many workplaces. As one waits, what do they do with their time? Inquiring eyes scan the area. So, a beautiful greeting room demands more than just a desk and a few chairs. This article contains a checklist of essential features for every lobby.
The Desk, an Absolute Need in Any Reception Area
There is typically a desk available in the lobby or reception area. All visitors know they may get their questions addressed or be directed in the correct manner here. Perhaps the ideal workstation is sector-restricted so that you can have one made just for your business. Yet, it is important that every reception area be maintained clean and tidy. Establish a straight line from the office’s front door to the reception area. Moreover, make sure there’s enough light. It’s important to think about the illumination in front of the desk as well as behind it for the receptionist, as guests will likely be signing or filling out papers.
A fantastic desk is in keeping with your company’s image and decor. Strong Project’s reception desks come in a rainbow of colors and materials. Wraparound desks and curved modular desks are just two examples of the many different forms and sizes available for workstations. The ideal reception desk can be created in a variety of ways.
Whimsical Chairs
You never want to keep guests waiting for too long, but if that happens, you’ll be glad you have attractive seating available. The moniker “accent chair” is spot on. The correct chairs may do more than just give a comfortable place to sit; they can also elevate the design of your foyer. Chairs with neutral hues like white, tan, or gray can help tone down the impact of a reception desk with bright colors. Chairs with a bold color can be a great way to liven up a reception area with muted tones.
Depending on how many people are expected to be waiting, different quantities of seating will be required. Even if you don’t usually have people waiting, it’s a good idea to set up at least two chairs. Even if they’re just there for a show, seats in the lobby make the space feel more inviting.
Have a Seat, Stay a While
Although lounge chairs aren’t ideal for every lobby, they can be a welcome addition to those that see a high volume of visitors or clients. You can fill a large space and give your guests somewhere pleasant to sit with lounge seats. As we’ll soon be heading back to the office, making the waiting area there as cozy as their own would make for a more pleasant experience for everyone.
Sofas and couches are other fantastic options to furnish the lobby with company colors. Maintaining a uniform aesthetic from the lobby to individual workstations may make a powerful statement. Not only do you want to make a good impression on customers and visitors, but also on the employees you want to keep and the new ones you want to hire.
Hardware: Tables and Display Racks
In today’s economy, it’s not uncommon to find businesses using a hybrid approach to scheduling their operations. Visitors to your company might not pick up a magazine to read while they wait if you adopt this style. On the other hand, they may simply reach for their laptop. Guests can make the most of the space provided by the reception desk by using laptop stands.
Provide end tables or coffee tables for reading materials if your average guest isn’t a hybrid worker. If you’re trying to save room in the waiting area, consider purchasing lounge office furniture or other types of seats that come with built-in tables.
Welcoming Area Makeover: Plant Some Trees!
In recent years, it has become increasingly common for businesses to decorate their workplaces with greenery. There are many positive outcomes when providing plants to employees. Increased productivity and better concentration are two benefits of having plants around the office. When workers are surrounded by greenery, they tend to stay longer. And to top it all off, studies have shown that employees are happier when their workspaces incorporate elements of nature.
Including plants in your welcome area should be a no-brainer if they can improve staff morale, health, and productivity in all those ways. In the end, we all just want satisfied guests and customers. Yet plants do so much more than that; they actually produce oxygen. They bring a healthy glow and illumination to the room. Also, just like a kind, helpful receptionist, plants may make the waiting area feel more welcoming.
In the planning of your reception area’s layout, prioritize practicality above all else. All the essentials for your guests’ comfort should be included. Get rid of everything that could slow down a visitor, and make sure that the waiting area is accessible to people with disabilities. Once these essentials are taken care of, however, you can really score a home run by adding in some chic seating for the lobby.


