Just as a face represents a person, the reception area represents an office or a business. And just as we form an opinion by looking at the person (usually the face), most visitors similarly form an opinion about the business and how it is doing by looking at the reception area.
In a way, your lobby is really like your business card.
And perhaps the most important thing in the reception area is the reception desk. But these desks can be of many types. For example, reception desks often come in wood, glass and even in steel. And they come in many shapes as well such as rectangular, square and even like a semi-circle. So if you have an office to decorate, a smart and a stylish reception desk is what you need.
But the importance of reception desks goes beyond just beautifying the area. These desks must have utility too, because this is where the front office department of the business is going to be located. There are many important tasks carried out from this area such as receiving and sending letters, attending phone calls and of course attending visitors. So the design of the reception desk is important. It needs to be ensured that it is designed to ease the carrying out of multiple tasks, because often the front office people need to switch from one task to another. The desk should help them do this and the design should never come in the way of smooth operations.
The reception desk should also come with some storage area where the person can keep important documents safely. It should also be designed in such a way that the wires of telephones, fax machines and others can be accommodated, and these wires are not exposed to the visitors.
Most business people know the value of making a good first impression in the workplace: dress conservatively at job interviews, don’t say anything negative about past employers, and proof resumes and cover letters for typos. The same “you’ll-never-get-a-second-chance-to-make-a-first-impression” rules should apply when designing or decorating the work space, architects say.
The reception area, or lobby is of critical importance. In a way, your lobby is really like your business card. Visitors should be able to walk in, look around and right away understand what this company does. The reception area needed to be welcoming, but also emanate creativity by being interesting and surprising. For example with cool blues on the walls and a mint-green countertop that curves inward, welcoming visitors.
Many designers think that a company’s reception area or waiting room should be separate from the rest of the work area. Visitors walking in should be able to get a glimpse of the rest of the office and of what happens in the company but they shouldn’t be immediately thrust into a work space. And if a company really wants to convey “cutting edge” with its reception area, it should be prepared to change it frequently.
Does your reception area project the first impression image you want? Could it use some help? Call the design experts at Advanced Furniture Solutions today (904) 398-0807, request information online or stop by our Design Center & Showroom at 9452 Philips Hwy, Ste. 7, Jacksonville, FL 32256. We offer free onsite consultations and will work within your budget to create a reception area that makes a great first impression!
Hours: Monday-Friday, 08:00-5:00. Weekend hours available by appointment. www.advancedfurnituresolutions.com