How often have you walked into a company’s reception and felt rather overwhelmed? Companies can forget that their business environment should reflect their corporate brand values & create a powerful first impression. For example; if a customer is met with peeling paint, faded furniture and dismal décor, it can send a signal that they don’t care about their brand and their business or the people within them. In this article, we discuss 5 Questions about your reception area…
At Bevlan Office Interiors we offer a free of charge site visit where we take measurements, get a feel for you and your company, have a chat about what you have in mind that you’re wanting to create and we will guide you right down to colour palettes if you so wish. We also provide free of charge CAD drawings which will not only show you how it could look if put these changes in place but also it will show you what shapes and sizes work best for the space you have. We can even provide renders and even virtual walkthroughs should you require them!
If you’re thinking of giving your reception a new lease of life in the new year then give us a call today 01254876666!
The Right Impression
To ensure that you get off to a good start, your reception needs to make a positive impact. Let your reception reflect who you are and your values. Be unique, make the area one that will be remembered for the right reasons.
The good news is that there are simple ways to achieve this. For example; the design and layout of your reception can reveal a lot about your business so by making sure the area is clean, neat and tidy, you can give a professional vibe, while getting the lighting right can create a warm, friendly and inviting environment.
The way to foot traffic falls in a reception area is also important. People need to know which direction to head. Small signs dotted around can help navigate footfall around your area.
You should also have good quality, well designed seating. Your visitors deserve to feel comfortable during their visit.
To check out our reception seating range, click here:
Does it promote interaction and engagement?
When a visitor first walks through your company door, you have a captive audience for a limited amount of time. You need to make sure you inform and educate as clearly and as quickly as possible. Using a mix of digital and physical content can engage your audience. A friendly welcome message displayed across a media screen creates a reassuring impression to a visitor, maybe a ‘Meet the staff’ wall, or visitors notes and customer reviews all give across a good first impression and create a positive environment.
To avoid having clock-watching and impatient visitors; try and keep guests occupied to pass the time. Handing out a free wifi password, electronic devices, brochures, charging stations etc are all things that would give guests the opportunity to do something other than stare at the clock.
Have you paid attention to little details?
No matter how creative and attractive the design of your reception area is, if the execution is poor, the materials used are cheap and of low quality, it will not convey the right message. Make sure that the pace is flawless from top to bottom – the doors need to work perfectly, paint needs to be of good quality, the décor attractive and working with the room and of course the furniture needs to fit in perfectly style wise and comfortable.
Click here to view our Reception furniture
Does your reception area set the mood?
Lighting. Natural light is always the best source of lighting to aim for but not always possible to practice. If you do have windows, ensure they are always clean and uncovered. The full spectrum of daylight improves mood and healing but where this is not possible you have to do your best to emulate it.
Ensuring lighting levels are bright enough that important areas such as high traffic areas, doorways and reception areas are especially well lit. Lighting vertical surfaces is preferable to downlighting as it gives a more homely feel. If it is appropriate, removing lighting covers in ceilings can give a more natural effect.
Never underestimate the power of lighting. Halo lighting around your company logo can create quite an impact. Lighting also around the reception desk can help draw visitors where they need to go. Energy efficient lighting can send a message to your guests that you care about the environment while also saving you some costs.
Does your reception area represent yourself?
Since your reception is the first port of call for anyone who visits your premises; it’s cruital that your reception area firmly represents your company’s identity. Failing to achieve this could leave your visitors feeling confused, uncertain they have come to the right place & possibly underwhelmed by the lack of thought that has gone into the area.
Your reception area should immediately make a statement about your company’s vision and values. This can easily be shown by the use of your logo above the door & decorate with your corporate colours. Plain walls for instance say very little about who you are or what you do; so why not use the bland wall behind your reception counter to showcase your corporate timeline or product imagery?
In a previous Bevlan project; Alicia put forward the idea of a vinyl logo on a company wall and hooked the customer up with contacts to provide this too!
Check out the project here: Community Arts by ZK – Our Portfolio – Bevlan Office Interiors LTD.
Is your reception area functional?
As there is little time to create that all important lasting impression; make sure your visitor is given clear signage & cues for where to go. It could be said that your reception has one main function – to act as a place for visitors to report to upon arrival. Ideally, the space should feature a reception desk that’s positioned in such a way that as soon as a guest enters the building; they know exactly where they need to be heading towards.
You should have trained and knowledgeable receptionists to help your visitors and should have everything they need available to do that. Clever storage tucked away behind the reception desk incorporated into the design will increase functionality and maintain a professional, clean and tidy look.
Click here to view our Reception Desks
Tip: Try your waiting area yourself! If you feel comfortable, others will do too!
Interior design doesn’t do everything, be sure to provide excellent service too such as a welcoming receptionist.
Thanks for reading #BevlanBlog!
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