When you visit any business — whether for a meeting, attending an interview, or to simply meet a colleague for lunch – the first area you will come face to face with will be the reception area. And be honest: the furniture will have an impact on the impression that you form of that business.
The same goes for people visiting your company’s premises. If you are expecting a potential new client for an important business meeting, it is essential that every aspect of your reception furniture be exactly on point. You only get one chance at a first impression.
Of course, the ideal first impression from a guest or client will be determined by the type of business you have. A dentist aiming to create a more clinical, clean, and calm space will no doubt require very different reception furniture than that of the formal and professional lawyer’s office, or that of a buzzing and creative media agency.
While a good supplier will be able to guide you to suitable options, it is ultimately you who decides what image you want to create. This is where your unique and intimate knowledge of your company and its goals and brand image come in handy — you know your clients and industry, as well as what is necessary to optimise and enhance each visit.
It is always recommended that you step back and ask a few questions about what you hope to achieve before you start your search for reception furniture.
The following questions may be of assistance in your search:
This might sound obvious, but before you start your search for reception furniture, you must take note of every dimension of the space available. Wall, floor, window, and door measurements will determine what particular reception furniture you can source to create the ideal first impression.
This goes for both your employees and your visitors. Is the desk or workstation large enough to seat your desired number of team members and provide the necessary space for the work they need to perform? And how many visitors are you expecting at a time? You need to be able to accommodate them.
Aside from looking good, reception furniture should guide a visitor when they first arrive. Is there space for them to sit and perhaps wait to be attended to on a busy day? Maybe they are early for a meeting and need to spend some time in the area — will there be adequate seating of some kind to keep them comfortable? Do you want to provide a water cooler, or perhaps a counter with a coffee machine?
If there is enough space and you are not expecting many people at a time, you can consider a small sofa and/or a couple of matching easy chairs and a coffee table for a friendly yet professional feeling. If, however, the space is limited, you could perhaps feature a couple of high bar stools placed near a wall shelf large enough for them to open a laptop. This can create quite a modern and dynamic feel.
For a more classic, formal atmosphere, consider wooden reception furniture, soft seating with armrests, carpets, and perhaps some art pieces. Lighting should be warm and slightly dimmer. If you want to come across as cutting edge and innovative, consider cooler colours, steel and glass, and possibly splashes of accent colours, depending on the look of your brand.
These questions are merely a guide — a starting point to helping you choose the ideal reception furniture. You do not need to have all the answers, but considering these questions does help to steer you in the right direction. For the rest of the process, there is Quantum Office Furniture. We are experts in supplying quality items at affordable prices to companies of all sizes. Contact us and talk to one of our expert team members — they will gladly guide you through the process and make sure you get exactly what you need.