How To Create A Welcoming Reception Area
It may be a cliché, but it’s the truth: You never get a second chance to make a good first impression. This old adage rings particularly true in the business world. Once a visitor enters your office space, they instantly make up their minds about you and your company. In a glance, they decide how trustworthy you are, if you’re successful and, oftentimes, if you’re good enough to do business with. That is why it’s so important to have a reception area that provides a welcoming and lasting impression.
All reception areas have several furnishings and components in common:
- Receptionist desk/station
- A comfortable, ergonomic office chair appropriate for the receptionist
- Chairs for guests to use while waiting
- A table to hold literature or magazines or to provide a surface for visitors for their purses, their briefcases or other personal belongings while waiting
But to make a good first impression in your reception area it’s important to go beyond the basic office furniture. Here’s what you need to do to create a welcoming reception area:
Offer a friendly greeting to each customer. One of the simplest ways to make people feel welcome is to verbally acknowledge them as they arrive. Upon arrival, there should be an obvious path to your reception desk. Hire a greeter or receptionist who likes people. They should smile, be friendly, be helpful and knowledgable.
Keep your reception area clean. Visible grime is a universal turn-off. A cluttered area suggests that you and your staff are lazy, disorganized, and inattentive to detail. Keep the tables, chairs and flooring clean. Don’t tape up signs on the walls or leave old torn magazines just lying around. Empty the trashcan on a regular basis.
Provide appropriate lighting. There are lots of lighting options and the light sources you choose to incorporate in your reception area largely depend on what kind of mood you’re after. Soft, bright light gives people a sense of calm. Low, warm light creates a sense of home and charm if you’re going for more of a family vibe. Avoid florescent lighting, which comes off as harsh, cold, and industrial, and generally does not work well in a reception setting.
Incorporate notable details. Provide fresh flowers, a well-maintained fish aquarium, or a tasteful piece of art for your clients to admire while they wait. If you provide reading material in your waiting area, make sure to include industry related pieces. If your business is the winner of any industry awards, display them. Make a feature of any accolades in an attractive cabinet or shelf display and let visitors absorb your successes before tending to business.
When it’s time for your next reception room makeover, ROSI Office Systems provides a comprehensive selection of desks, conference tables, team workspaces, seating, storage, and more at an incredible price. We pride ourselves on helping our customers create great office furniture solutions. Please contact us for more information.
