Description: Does your reception area leave a good impression on your visitors? Learn more about how to design a great reception area to get a strong brand image.
The reception area is the face of an office, the first impression, the welcoming feeling…or not. This is the area an organization wants to get right. However, it comes down to choosing the right color, furniture, lighting, design, and more. It is easy to get lost when designing and selecting the interiors. Each feature needs careful thought and precision, all keeping in line with your overall theme and message.
Each aspect can be grouped into different themes, creating a conceptual reception area that relates to your overall organization and office vibe. In this blog, we will focus here on the different choices one can make, which you can adapt to your theme accordingly.
Add A Splash of Colour
This one is probably the trickiest choice that you need to make. On the one hand, the color choice should resonate with your organization and culture; on the other hand, it should not be a personal selection and relatable to your expected clientele. The color spectrum doesn’t make it easier, with oh-so-many colors to choose from. Try and bring in connection with your brand logo or the office furniture.
If those are neutral colors lined with whites, greys, or blacks, you have a lot more freedom in choosing coloring in your reception area. Bright colors indicate vibrancy, young and energetic vibes. Neutral beiges and greys give out a professional, serious feel. White is more clinical and can give a medical impression. Try not to clash the color choices too much as you may end up confusing people, giving them a reason to guess second while walking inside.
Is Your Furniture Good Enough?
When choosing the furniture, consider your target audience (visitors). Will they be expected to wait for long periods or just a short wait? Do you want them to sit down, or is a standing reception area acceptable? Seating comfort is subjective, depending on someone’s size, height, posture, etc. If you provide seating options, try to choose something easy and adjustable for a generic clientele.
Easy, lightweight, but sturdy chairs for quick sit-and-go waits or firm and standard couches for longer waits. After all, you don’t want anyone getting so comfy that they ask you for a pillow and blanket next.
The Lighting Needs To Be Just Right
Like the colors, the lighting will set the tone for the atmosphere you want to create. What should people expect once they have crossed that first impression line? Do you go with neon flashing lights or standard white lights? White or yellow lighting is safe and delivers a professional impression, emitting a feeling of safety and security.
To mix things up, if your brand image and logo allow it, a bright light in the shape of your logo will turn heads. Walking past, people will look twice if there is a catchy logo light visible. If yours is an office, people don’t walk past but would visit after making an appointment; the bright light gives energy and confidence. Colour again connects with the youth and allows for a new age connection.
Design Brings Everything Together
The design is made up once all the above have been decided and selected. The spacing and layout bring about the design. In line with your theme and office space, you can design an open reception leading directly into the space behind. Alternatively, you can separate it from the main office space with a wall, making the reception area completely separate.
Maybe leading into a waiting area or combined with seating right there for visitors to wait. The design incorporates shape and material, merging with the choice of colors, furniture, and lighting. These selections will go hand in hand and all emit the same ambiance, in line with your organization’s vibe and culture.
Additional Factors To Consider
In so much more, there are choices regarding art, plants, or maybe even a fish tank. Do you offer a water cooler at the reception, especially if this is where visitors will be waiting for longer durations? Whichever the choices you make for your reception area, it is key to think it through and plan out the picture you would like to paint.
- Decide on a theme that connects with who you are as an organization and what you represent and stand for.
- Ensure that everything flows seamlessly without overdoing it.
- If you decide to put up art, don’t overdo it; choose artwork that blends in with your organization or is neutral.
- Motivational or funny canvas or wood quotes are fun. They can be random, about the wifi, or again related to the business you are in.
- Align the design, font, and writing with your overall theme and color selection; with quote-art, you have a sure shot winner.
- Whether you motivate someone, make someone laugh, or put them into deep thought, you have connected with them.
- Nothing works better than connecting people; wall quotes often do the trick, making for ice-breaking conversation once they are ready for your appointment.
Create A Stellar Reception Area To WOW Your Guests
So you see, ensuring your message is consistent from one aspect or choice to another is key. Avoid trying to tap into every trend to get the best of everything in one space. You will end up with a chaotic mess and leave your visitors intimated or confused about who you are as an organization.
Start with your brand logo and design templates, and draw everything else out without losing the starting point’s visibility. With every decision you make, link it back to your original plan to ensure you stay on track and not get too tempted by the many options of colors, patterns, artwork, lighting, and plants.
Stay focused, stick to the message and be creative. You will have an ace design for your reception area in no time. We at ANS can help! With a penchant for design and a team of experts, we help companies create the perfect workspaces that facilitate collaboration and leave a great impression on visitors and clients. For more information, contact our team now!
