It’s the very first thing people see when they enter your company office, this makes your reception area an important element – one that shouldn’t be overlooked. Here’s what you need to know about the design of your reception area.
We’ve all heard the old saying “first impressions mean everything”, the same applies to your business. From the moment a client walks through the door, they are immediately gathering information about who you are and what you value as a company. Your reception area is key to reflecting that.
So, what’s the first thing you should consider when designing your reception space? The experience you want your visitors to have when they arrive!
Only a few seconds after arriving in your office, your visitors will form an opinion of your company. So, when we start on any project finding out what a company wants their visitors to experience is one of the most important questions we ask.
We’ve been designing, furnishing and fitting office spaces for over 30 years and during this time we’ve found that there are a number of options on visitor experience that could fit with a company identity and culture. Here are the three most commonly used.
With each possibility there is a list of the most chief considerations in order to create the right experience for your business:
The Professional Option
If you have a rather corporate environment, such as banking and money related institutions, legal related institutions, medical suites this is the option we recommend for you.
What will this reception area design say about your business?
It will give the company a feel of being organised, prosperous, established, efficient, and confident.
In order to achieve this experience we consider the following:
- Large, open plan space.
- Careful consideration of Corporate Identity.
- Brand presence is subtle but unmistakably and professionally present.
- The colour scheme is submissive yet stylish.
- Furniture is comfortable and robust.
- Reception desk is easily recognised.
- Coffee and tea service is available.
- Marketing material is visible, either electronically or in printed format.
- Impeccably clean space.
- Access to meeting spaces and toilets straight off reception. No wandering the halls for visitors.
The Dynamic Option
This is the reception that is ideal for start-ups and tech-inspired businesses. For example, software companies, innovative products, renewable resource companies, and consultancies.
What will this reception area design say about your company?
It will give the company a feel of being very modern, innovative, pioneering, driven, and daring.
In order to achieve this feel we consider the following:
- The space is comfortable, not too large and not cluttered.
- The corporate identity is strongly visible.
- Branding is visible, bold but simple.
- Furniture is functional and stylish.
- Interesting fabric used on seating options.
- Colours used reflect logo or company col0urs.
The Bold Option
This option is usually best suited for a company in the creative space. For example, advertising agencies, marketing agencies, digital agencies, media and film, fine art, interior design, and architecture.
What will this reception area design say about your company?
It will give the company a feel of being inventive, highly creative, contemporary, collaborative, eager, and agile.
In order to achieve this, we consider the following:
- The environment is fun and interactive.
- Colour is a key ingredient. Either a lot of it or none at all.
- Corporate identity is present in an inventive way.
- Branding is bold. It could be boldly simple or quite loud.
- Trendy choice of furniture, finishes and fittings.
- Iconic pieces are featured.
- Coffee/beverages are self-help – a fun experience.
- Staff are chatty and friendly.
- Biophilic design, greenery and plants.
- Preloved or secondhand furniture used
Every reception and company is different – do not be afraid to reflect your brand in your interior design.
Now that you have some insight into the experience visitors could have with a reception area, take a second look at your reception area and think about this one question – What does your office reception area say about your company?
Planning any area of the office can seem daunting especially reception area planning as it is your first impression and you want it to be a good one but don’t worry, Bevlan Office Interiors can help! Have a look at our reception area planning blog and read all about how our FREE space planning services.
