Your office reception area is likely to be the first impression any visitor receives of your workplace, setting the tone for clients and candidates.
But as important as the look and feel are, you also need a zone that is functional as well as inviting and suited to day-to-day use. Getting this balance right is a crucial element of successful office waiting room or reception design. Keep on reading to hear our recommendations!
As highlighted, your office reception area may be where you establish yourself in the imaginations of visitors, in terms of aesthetics, culture and values.
Your brand may include your corporate identity and colour scheme, as well as the goals that motivate and inspire you. So everything from office furniture selection, to the art on the walls should reflect this, whether you define your culture as:
Or any other combination of values and identities that communicate who you are, to anyone that comes into your office. Get this right, and you won’t have to work hard to change your brand perception in the minds of any visitors.
Your reception area may serve many functions – welcoming visitors, checking in guests, receiving deliveries, office waiting room and more.
And regardless of the amount of square footage available, a smart office reception design should enable all required tasks to be completed efficiently.
Everything from seating arrangements, to storage solutions should be considered, to optimise organisation and productivity, while reducing clutter.
How people feel physically, when in your office reception area, is just as important as emotionally – which means making selections with wellbeing in mind. Ensure ergonomic seating is provided for staff, particularly those that spend a lot of time at a desk, with comfortable chairs also available for visitors.
If possible, maximise the use of natural light and ventilation, to create a calm and welcoming environment (and reduce electricity consumption). In addition, invest in the right type of low-maintenance greenery to oxygenate the office reception area, improve air quality and heighten visual appeal.
If you have the correct comfortable furniture and the environment feels inviting, your visitors should feel at ease as soon as they come through the door.
Finding the right balance between aesthetics and practicality in your office reception area is likely to be an ongoing process. Business needs and goals evolve and your workplace should reflect this, leaving a lasting impression without becoming quickly dated or unusable.
If you’d like to speak to a professional about your office reception requirements, or about any other office services we provide, such as office fit outs, refurbishments, furniture, space planning, mezzanines and more, please contact us.
