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First impressions matter and having an attractive reception is a significant part of creating one. Clients and quality employees that see an impressive reception area are sure to have a more positive appeal, than those that witness the opposite.
There are a few keys to setting up a functional reception area. Read on for more information.
1. Consider Your Layout
Before you do anything else, think about what the area currently looks like and what you want to do with it. The reception area is sure to have a lot of visitors, so there needs to be a way for them all to flow through the space effectively. The eye should immediately go to the reception desk upon entering the room. You want your visitors to be drawn to it. Therefore, determine where that piece of furniture should go and then build around it.
2. Get Comfortable Furniture
People may spend quite a bit of time in the reception area, which means that you need furniture for them to lounge on. Since you want the space to be inviting, it is crucial that the seating be comfortable. You never know who may drop in; some people could be arriving for interviews, others may have meetings set up, and still others could be dropping in to have a word with different staff members. It is not useful to have furniture that looks good but doesn't feel good. Nice sofas and chairs should help encourage visitors to have a seat. An indoor water wall such as this one from LuxeWaterWalls.com could be ideal. If they need to wait a bit in the reception area, they should not be very put out because they will be comfortable.
3. Invest In A Reception Desk
The reception desk should be the focal point of the area that you set up. It is where guests will immediately go upon entering the space. Therefore, the desk needs to be impressive. It should be big and visible, so that everyone knows where they need to check in. Consider purchasing a desk with a granite top; this gives the desk a professional, elegant feel.
It does not matter how big your space is. Finding a reception desk is an important part of the process and plays a huge role in how the space looks as a whole. While you certainly want the desk to look good, it also has to be able to fulfill a certain purpose. For example, there needs to be storage. The top of the desk should not be cluttered up with materials; instead, these should be stored neatly inside of the desk. In addition, consider the height of this piece of furniture. You want it to be tall but not too tall; if it is too tall, it may seem intimidating.
4. Decorate With Greenery
Plants are a great addition to any reception area. No only do they make people feel good, but they are also inexpensive and add some much needed color to the space. However, you have to make sure that you pot the plant the right way so that you don't mess up the carpet.
5. Incorporate Technology
Technology is such a huge part of the world. In any given industry, things can change on a dime. Therefore, have computers or televisions (or both!) in the reception area so that your visitors have a way to stay updated. In addition, post information on how to access the office's Wi-Fi, so that the receptionist is not constantly interrupted. Finally, it is also a good idea to have plenty of outlets to charge mobile devices.
6. Get Good Lighting
There are so many lighting options to choose from that it can be a little overwhelming to determine what you want for your office space. Think about what you want to achieve in terms of mood; a bright, soft light is relaxing. Fluorescent bulbs feel impersonal and generally should be avoided. Lighting is important, so spend an appropriate amount of time researching your options.
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