The first impression matters. The same way people judge us by the way we look and dress, they judge our business by the look of the visitor’s area. Just as you’d take care to look smart and sharp when meeting a new client, you need to make sure your office reception area presents the best values your company stands for. As the first area your visitors see, there are a lot of things to consider when designing the reception area. Here are a few directions to consider.
Does it reflect your company?
Most companies use this trick to create amazing reception areas. In short, they are doing their best to translate the personality of their brand to the reception space. Video game developer Valve, for example, relies on black, grey and orange, for which it’s known for, to create a grimy, industrial feel with exposed ceiling structure and hanging light fixtures. There’s even a huge valve in the centre, as well as video-games-themed glass artwork.
Language of colours
What’s important to consider is that colours you choose don’t even have to mimic your logo, but rather convey the sort of personality you want your space to have. Creative and artsy businesses tend to prefer bright reception areas that come across as offbeat, fun and friendly. An insurance, law or real estate firm may want to make their reception appear neutral and efficient by resorting to plainer colours while natural materials like stone and wood symbolize years of trust and superior service.
Statement of desk
As a centrepiece of every reception lobby, the desk is the place that draws all the attention. Make it large, spacious and place it right in the middle of the visitor’s field of vision. Choose a granite reception desk for a lasting expression of luxury and wealth. Many IT businesses, however, prefer modern solutions and glass reception desks. A curved reception desk, on the other hand not only looks good from any angle but also offers space for multiple users.
Use hard-wearing materials
Every employee will pass through the reception at least twice a day. Even if you don’t count all the delivery people and visitors, it is definitely a high-traffic area. This is a good reason enough to choose hard-wearing materials that keep their good look for years. Natural leather is the safest option for both sofas and chairs, as it’s more resistant to wear than its substitutes, while also being easy to clean if a nervous job candidate spills their coffee.
Impressive flooring
Apart from being used for reception desks, the attractiveness and toughness of granite makes it perfect for high-class floors, as well. Natural stone or even properly protected concrete floors are much easier to clean than carpets, which although cheaper don’t stand the test of time so well. A quality area rug, on the other hand, looks awesome with any hard-use flooring option. Take a look at the DecoRug’s splendid offer of designer rugs to see what I’m talking about.
Welcoming comfort
Hopefully, your reception area will see a lot of visitors during a day – potential employees coming to job interviews, clients attending meetings and experts dropping by to conduct training sessions for your staff. None of these people want to stand, especially if they need to wait more than five minutes. On the other hand, an uncomfortable chair is worse than no chair at all. Make them feel at ease by providing plush chairs and generous sofas, and they’ll surely be more receptive to your proposals, offers and ideas.
In-house facilities
While they’re waiting, glossy magazines and drink-making facilities will keep your visitors entertained. Planning for a snack vending machine? Put one in the lobby so both your employees and visitors can treat themselves. Even a simple water cooler-heater and a selection of instant coffee packs and teabags will do the job. In order to keep your reading material as up to date as possible, consider subscribing to a couple of publications that are relevant to your industry.
Trophy walls
Walls should be used to display your work and achievements. Framed photos of your best-performing employees, influential clients and pictures of your greatest projects will infuse a human touch to even the most professional of companies. If you are a property developer, you’ll naturally be showing off some of the buildings you’ve worked on. If you are an advertising company, you’ll want to display your catchiest commercials.
It doesn’t matter if your office is based in Perth or Jindalee, its reception area needs to look warm, welcoming and showcase the best traits that your brand is known for. Your field of business will eventually define the best approach. The companies who draw their reputation from decades of trust and traditions will choose classic materials that have proven over the years, while forward-looking businesses who capitalize on innovation and creativity should consider inspiring solutions that say, “Nothing is impossible”
