Receptions are an often overlooked, yet incredibly important part of any building. After a building’s frontage, they are often the first thing a visitor will see. And, we all know what they say about first impressions…
The importance of getting your reception seating right
Reception areas are a classic liminal space. They’re ‘in-between’ areas, areas people pass through from one place to another. They’re places of transition where an individual will typically dwell for a few minutes at most.
And, because of this, receptions can be some of the most neglected, overlooked parts of a building’s interior. We’ve probably all had experience of this ourselves; you find yourself sat in a forlorn, dusty and tired looking reception whilst waiting for an appointment.
The thing is, these types of receptions leave a bad impression.
Here’s why, on the contrary, you should lavish particular attention on your reception area and its seating:
- Reception areas are the ‘face’ of your business. You want that face to be as welcoming and attractive as possible!
- First impressions really do count. If you can’t get your reception right, it may leave your visitors wondering if you can get everything else right…
- Comfortable reception seating can make your visitors feel valued, relaxed and comfortable.
- Well-specced reception seating (including features like charging modules), can provide enhanced utility for visitors.
- Quality reception seating that is upholstered in relevant colours can reinforce your organisation’s brand identity to visitors.
As you can see, there are a multiplicity of benefits associated with providing well-specified, high-quality seating within your reception area.
The tips to creating a winning reception area
As you’ve just read, there are a bevy of benefits associated with having a well-appointed, comfortable and smart reception area in your building.
So, how do you go about creating one?
Whilst buying the right furniture is essential, there are a few other elements to consider. Let’s have a look.
Aesthetics
Your reception area should reflect your business, your brand, and the industry in which you operate.
Good lighting will contribute to a natural and inviting atmosphere, whilst furniture that is upholstered in similar colours to your brand palette will create a cohesive and unified aesthetic for visitors.
Consider, as well, including framed photographs of your business on the walls – from workers carrying out activities, to fleets of company vehicles (if you have any). Remember, your reception area is your opportunity to promote your business to visitors of all stripes.
Why not also think about adding in some plants to your reception area, too? Not only do they enhance the atmosphere, but they can help to reduce stress and anxiety as well. Here at Rosehill, we can supply planter units that will enhance your reception area. Contact us to find out more.
Efficient layout
The proper use of space is one of the best ways of creating a welcoming and comfortable reception area.
Ideally, the reception desk should be the focal point of the reception area, with the desk facing the entrance doors. Furthermore, there should be sufficient space both in front of, and behind, the reception desk so that visitors and the receptionist alike have sufficient room.
Whilst it’s also important to have a smattering of comfortable seats for visitors – as well as some coffee tables on which to place company brochures – you should always ensure that your reception area can be easily traversed, with no items impeding walkways of access. After all, receptions are primarily designed to be passed through.
Capacity
Closely related to the point above, it’s important to give some thought to the capacity of your reception area. In other words, how many people are you realistically expecting to use it at any one time?
If visitors to your building are few and far between, then you won’t need a reception area with 10 seats! Likewise, if you have multiple visitors throughout the day, you’ll want more than one or two seats.
It’s for this reason that many building owners choose modular seating systems, as these tend to be more flexible and aren’t quite as ‘defined’ as traditional seating options (for example, bench style modular systems will allow multiple people to sit down compared to one or two lounge chairs).
A choice of seating
In order to make your reception as welcoming, inviting and as accessible as possible, you should provide a choice of seating for your visitors.
As we’ll explore later in this article, reception seating options range from individual armchairs and lounge chairs through to sofas and even comprehensive modular seating systems.
Attention to detail
It’s funny the things that people pick up on when they’re waiting in reception areas. So, ensure you pay attention to the finer details of your reception space.
This includes everything from the provision of charging points (that actually work!), up-to-date reading materials/brochures, the provision of storage areas or lockers, and even screens to provide a degree of privacy.
Plus, as those of us who live in the north can attest, no reception area is complete without an umbrella and coat stand or two!
As we say, first impressions matter, and sometimes it’s the smallest of details that leave the biggest of impressions.
Ultimately, a good reception area makes visitors feel welcome, provides somewhere comfortable for them to wait, and facilitates their various needs whilst they are using the reception area.
Of course, seating is arguably the most important consideration when creating a quality reception space. So, that’s what we’ll be looking at next.
Reception seating: the options
Gone are the days when your choice of reception seating was confined to some staid stacking chairs or a mediocre sofa or two. Today, contract furniture manufacturers have diversified their reception seating options, meaning you have more choice than ever.
Below, let the Rosehill team take you on a tour of the main types of reception seating.
Modular seating
One of the most popular options for reception areas of all kinds is modular seating systems.
Being modular, modular seating systems are available in a dizzying variety of configurations. This is ideal really for reception areas, as it allows you to set the seating out exactly as you need it to, to fit the space available.
Modular seating systems are typically padded and upholstered, making them a comfort-first choice. What’s more, modular seating systems are typically available in a huge array of different fabrics and colours, making it easy for you to buy seats that will complement your organisation’s branding.
Further, modular seating systems will often allow you to use each module in either a standalone fashion, or connecting with other modules to create a larger seat.
For an example, have a look at the Snuggle Modular Seating system below. As you can see, it is highly configurable, allowing you to create a series of either independent or connected seating areas in your reception.
Of course, modular seating systems don’t have to be purely utilitarian additions to a reception, but instead can act as a statement, providing a central focus point for a reception area to revolve around. Take the image below as a particularly stunning example:
Key features of modular seating systems:
- Highly configurable, with the ability to create a huge array of layouts.
- Available in a broad range of fabrics, providing multiple colour options.
- Many modular systems are available with ‘end arms’, to provide additional comfort to users.
Office sofas
A classic, tried and trusted reception seating option is the sofa. However, you’ll find that today’s reception sofas differ considerably from their old-time counterparts.
As we’ve written about in our guide on the topic, modern office sofas are not just available in a broad range of finishes and colours, but can also include features such as power and data modules. These latter features are especially useful for visitors, as they allow users to charge their electronic devices and/or connect to the Internet.
A great example of a modern, well-appointed sofa that includes power modules is the Harris. Manufactured here in the UK, the Harris includes integrated power whilst also being upholstered in Crib 5 fabric and manufactured to contract standard – meaning it’ll withstand considerable wear and tear.
Many office sofas are available in a variety of sizes, from single-seater armchair style chairs through to two or three seater options. Sofas like the Harris above are available in all three sizes, making it easy to fit out your reception with a ‘family’ of seats that have the same look and feel.
Another great option if you’re keen to buy a sofa that also has matching armchairs is the Mollen. The Mollen is available in three form factors; armchair, sofa, and large sofa. This provides you with considerable flexibility when furnishing a reception area.
Plus, with its stylish Mid-Century Modern styling and huge choice of frame and upholstery finishes, this is a design-first choice.
The Mollen’s contemporary looks are also matched by its contemporary features include an optional power module (for electronic device charging) and the ability to add a matching coffee table.
Yet another option is the Naudu. This is a more compact, petite sofa option for reception areas.
But, don’t let its minimal footprint fool you. This is a sofa with a big personality. From its different leg options to various frame and upholstery finishes, this is a sofa that can have a personality as big as your own!
In addition, thanks to having a higher seat height than many equivalent office sofas, the Nauda is a far more accessible option for users who may struggle to sit in more traditional sofas with lower seats.
Key features of office sofas:
- Available in one, two or three seater variants. Consider choosing a ‘family’ of sofas so that you can provide visitors with multiple seating options.
- Optional power modules allow visitors to charge devices.
- Myriad upholstery options provide design flexibility and ability to complement your branding.
Lounge chairs
If you want to create a particularly laid back, laissez-faire style reception area, then your go-to seating choice should be lounge chairs.
Typically available with supporting arms, richly upholstered and with a laid back seating angle, lounge chairs can really help visitors relax and feel at ease ahead of an important meeting.
What’s more, lounge chairs have a particular chic to them, especially when paired with some nice low coffee tables.
Here at Rosehill, you’ll find a wealth of lounge chairs, however we have some particular highlights that we’ll show you below.
Firstly, we have the se:Lab single-seater sofa. Whilst technically a sofa, it highly resembles a lounge chair (and, a cool one at that!). It wouldn’t look out of place in the most modern of Herman Miller-style receptions and is highly versatile, with in-built castor wheels allowing it to be moved around a building as necessary.
The se:Lab sofa is available in a truly versatile rainbow of colours, meaning that even the most design-conscious of receptionists will be pleased with it!
If you’d like a slightly more conventional lounge chair – without dropping the modernist flair entirely – then why not consider the Strut?
With its wooden frame, the Strut has a nice warm, organic presence, whilst the comfy, plush upholstered makes it the sort of chair that is a genuine pleasure to dwell in.
The Strut is also available with a wide range of fabrics and vinyls to choose from, whilst the frame can be specified in either natural oak or black oak. In short, this is an ideal lounge chair for reception areas of all kinds.
For even further flexibility, the Strut is available with matching coffee tables. Plus, if you want to create a ‘family’ of seating options in your reception, the Strut is also available as a sofa, too.
Key features of lounge chairs:
- Allow you to create a relaxed reception area.
- Typically available with different back heights to accommodate a broad range of users.
Beam seating
A close – but not quite as luxurious – relative to modular seating systems are beam seats. Also known as bench seats, beam seats are ideal for reception areas that have particular high footfalls and lower dwell times.
Think GP surgeries, reception areas at transport hubs, or receptions at training or test centres where there is a high-turnover of visitors throughout the day.
As you’ll see from the examples below, beam seats are much more utilitarian in their appearance and function compared to the other reception seating options outlined above, so they may not be suitable for every context.
Nevertheless, if you think beam seating could be the right choice for your reception area, explore the Kruna Executive Beam Seating.
Purposefully designed to offer a premium, high-end seating experience, the Kruna is available in two, three and four-seater options upholstered in a luxury vinyl. Polished aluminium legs add a further touch of understated flair.
Alternatively, discover the Mia Beam Seating. This is another premium beam seating option that comfortable, ergonomically designed seats that can be upholstered in either fire-resistance fabric or a luxurious faux leather.
The Mia Beam Seating is available in two, three, or even four-seater options making it the perfect choice if you have to provide a large volume of seating in your reception area. The Mia can also be specified to include an integrated table (that replaces one of the seats) and arms at each end of the beam.
Key features of beam seating:
- Ideal for high-traffic reception areas.
- Available in different seating capacities to create versatile reception areas.
Statement seating
Perhaps you want your reception area to make a bold statement about you and your business?
In that case, you may want to opt for what we call ‘statement seats’. That is, seats that don’t really fit into the ‘conventional’ mould and that really stand out from their more staid and ordinary counterparts.
Take the Colani, for example.
Featuring a highly-unusual 1960s style design, the Colani has a unique organic form that is highly ergonomic and comfortable with an aesthetic that adds an energetic pizzazz, even to austere environments.
Your perfect reception seating awaits at Rosehill
We hope you’ve found this guide to reception seating options both interesting and helpful. As you’ve probably discovered, there are far more options than many people realise.
So, if you’re not too sure where to start, feel free to get in contact with the Rosehill team. We are able to provide you with comprehensive advice and guidance on selecting the perfects seats for your reception area.
Explore reception seating at Rosehill now
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