First impressions have a huge impact on business, and what’s the first thing prospective clients witness when they walk into your office building? The reception area. If your reception space is less than welcoming, and looks more rundown than professional, it’s essential to make changes that will see the area transformed into an organized, clean, and inviting space in which to lounge.
- A Refreshment Area
Providing refreshments will definitely make a positive impression and put your business a step above the rest when it comes to appearances. Even something as simple as a table set up with a Keurig and small digestives and snack packs will keep clients more comfortable as they wait in the reception area. Waiting isn’t everyone’s favorite thing to do, and refreshments will help the time pass quicker.
- Seating
As clients and guests will be waiting in the reception area until their scheduled appointments or meetings, make sure the seating is comfortable for those that arrive early. Find chairs that are comfortable to sit in for periods of thirty minutes or more (although let’s hope your clients are never left waiting that long). Uncomfortable seating areas will actually make any wait seem longer, so it’s important to take the time to find the perfect fit. If your furniture area is small, a few couches could do the trick, and if you have space, a coffee table filled with timely and relevant magazines and other reading materials will keep guests entertained. Be sure to pick furniture made with sturdy materials that will withstand heavy usage, like wood or leather. These materials are easy to maintain and clean, and if you take your time to look into the best leather furniture brands and wood furniture companies, you’ll save money and stress down the line.
- Reception Desk
When guests enter for the first time, they should be able to immediately find and access the reception desk. This of it as the center of the room, the focal point around which you can design the rest of the area. Make sure the reception desk is always kept clean and orderly through proper storage solutions and drawers with enough space for all of the office essentials.
- Nature
Breathe some life into your office and incorporate the best of the outdoors in your reception area. Whether you add office plants around the waiting room or shell out some money on a living vegetation wall that’s recently become all the rage for trendy businesses in all industries, incorporating plants and flowers into your décor can actually improve air quality and increase a sense of wellbeing within employees and visitors. Check out Livewall.com and look at their interesting and beautiful living wall arrangements that are sure to serve as a great talking point with clients.
- The Power of Color
Color has a huge impact on emotions, so make sure your office walls reflect the colors that you think best evoke the feelings you’d want for your clients. If you’re a graphic design company, you’ll want vibrant colors that spark creativity and give off energetic vibes. If you’re a medical facility, you’ll want to create a calm and soothing color like green or blue to set the tone. Avoid aggressive hues like red and yellow, as these have been correlated with increased feelings of anger and anxiety, which have no business in the work place. Color is also very important when it comes to branding; be sure to include your company logo and name repeatedly in the office reception area to help improve your company retention and strengthen your branding efforts.
- Avoid Harsh Lighting
Another aspect of design that has a huge impact on mood? Lighting. Make sure your reception area is bright and cheery with the right artificial lighting that mimics natural light. If your reception area has windows, make the most of natural light and let it stream through, so long as it doesn’t heat the reception room to an unbearable or uncomfortable temperature.
You only have one chance to make a first impression, so use these design tips to make it a good one, regardless of who walks in your office doors.
