10 Office Reception Area Design Ideas – with Project Examples

When it comes to workspace design, it’s understandable when some companies choose to prioritise areas that directly impact productivity, such as the main office ‘engine-room’ and meeting zones.

However, for a truly effective office design, businesses should take a more holistic approach. This means considering every aspect of the space – starting with the reception area.

The reception area has a key part to play, setting the tone for employees as they enter the building and influencing how visitors and clients perceive your business.

The following stats highlight exactly why a strong office reception area design is a business essential. Let’s look at the numbers…

Stats on Office Reception Area Design

• 40% of people say their perception of a company or brand has been negatively affected by their experience in the corporate lobby or reception area.
• 74% of people say a dull or uninspiring reception gives them a negative perception of a business.
• 36% believe a poorly designed reception area shows a company doesn’t care about customers / visitors.
• 29% think a poorly designed reception makes a business look dated.
• 51% say a smile from a real receptionist is the most effective way to make a good imprint.

What We Will Cover in This Article

Given the stats, it’s clear that your office reception area design matters!

Here is what we will cover in this article to help you create a reception area that rocks:

• How to make a good first impression and improve the perception of your company.
• How to create a reception that both visitors and employees will love.
• How to create a modern reception area with a physical receptionist or digital system.

We will also provide real-life project examples from companies in a range of sectors, from corporates to tech firms and more.

So, are you ready to start your reception area refurbishment? Let’s get into it…

10 Top Tips for Your reception Area Design

1) Illuminate Your Reception Area – and Your Brand

By introducing illuminated elements, you create a welcoming atmosphere while shining a light on your brand. Here are some ideas:

• “Levitating” reception desk – At Ward Security, we introduced a bespoke reception desk with concealed LED lighting along the base, creating a levitating effect.
• Illuminated signage – As in the example above at GW Highways, back-lit signage mounted on a wood-effect slatted panel can create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Furthermore, the glow of the signage can really help to lift the reception area, turning it into a focal point for visitors as they enter.

2) Create More Space with a Recessed Wall

If your reception area is relatively small, it’s important to get the office space planning just right. From the furniture configuration right down to the size of the desk, there is a lot to consider.

One way to create more space is to introduce a recessed wall, as in the example above at WeSoda. As you can see, this allowed WeSoda to fit in a comfortable waiting sofa while allowing plenty of space for reception staff and general traffic flow.

Additionally, the recessed wall creates a perfect space for a wall mounted TV to display company branding or important updates and news reports.

3) Go for a Modern-Industrial Look

If you really want your reception area to rock, go for a modern industrial aesthetic. Here’s how you can achieve a modern industrial look in your office reception area:

• Ground and polished concrete flooring – Over at Circle Square’s office in London, we ground and polished the concrete floors, laying the foundations for a stunning industrial theme.
• Wooden reception desk – The raw simplicity of a wooden reception desk makes it ideal for an industrial aesthetic, especially when combined with concrete flooring.
• Glass partitions with black frames – A staple of the industrial look, Crittall glass is a must if you’ve got private workspaces within the same floorspace as your reception.

Want to see more of the Circle Square project? Take a look at the cool industrial design here.

4) Give Visitors Something to Take Away

While it’s true that first impressions are important, last impression matter too.

When it comes to your office reception area design, think about how you can leave a positive lasting impression on visitors before they walk out the door.
For example, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra installed a bespoke storage display unit for its brochures and other marketing material. The bespoke slanted shelf offers the perfect place to perch a booklet that visitors can take away and read at leisure.

The bespoke shelf also adds supports the reception’s zoning, serving as a divider to define the waiting area.

5) Take Inspiration from Hospitality

Given that 29% think a poorly designed reception makes a business look dated, it’s worth investing in elements that can bring it into the here and now.

Our recommendation is to take cues from the hospitality sector. When you go on holiday, there’s nothing better than walking into an inviting, modern hotel reception that sets the tone for a great trip.

Here are some ideas:

• Mood Lighting – Hanging light fixtures and bi-directional wall lights that produce a soft glow can create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. These also offer a modern alternative to standard LED ceiling lights.
• Statement Furniture – Commercial furniture with stylish upholstery can elevate and modernise a space. High-back chairs and luxury leather sofas are great additions – especially when combined with a classy coffee table.
• Lobby Area Living Walls – If you’ve got a walkway en-route to the main office, consider introducing a living wall of foliage, like our Manchester-based corporate client. You can also incorporate your branding, making for an eye-catching feature.

In addition to modernising your space, the hospitality theme will ensure you make a great first impression on visitors.

6) Embrace Reception Area Technology

Another great way to modernise your reception area is to invest in a digital visitor management system. These range from simple ‘sign in and out’ tablets to more advanced virtual receptionists.

For example, our client in the digital security sector went for a user-friendly tablet for a quick entry and exit. We also integrated this into the reception desk for a practical bespoke solution.

For a more advanced model, look no further than the Vpod visitor management system, as shown at the Workspace Design Show. The Vpod’s features include live face-to-face digital PAs, wayfinding maps for visitors, touchless technology, and a room booking facility.

7) Take Inspiration from Your Brand

If you’re not sure where to start with your reception area design, one reliable approach is to let your company identify lead the way.

Our client, Alcatel Submarine Networks (shown in the images above), used this method to create visually arresting, on-brand reception area. Here are some key features:

• Hanging Decorations – As visitors walk up the stairs at Alcatel Submarine Networks reception, they are met by two hanging acoustic panels featuring the company’s products.
• Wall Murals – As Alcatel Submarine Networks is a company with international outreach, the company went for a globe-themed feature wall sporting its blue brand colours.
• Frosted Glass with Branding – In addition to being essential for health and safety reasons, glass manifestation provides an opportunity to show off your brand logo, as demonstrated in the example above.

Like the look of Alcatel Submarine Networks? Take a look at the project case study here.

8) Get Creative with Your Flooring

Another simple yet effective way to elevate your reception area is to use flooring variations. As shown in the example at Riverbridge House, our designers used vinyl flooring, carpet tiles and rug cutaways to create vibrant reception area.

Note how the cutaway carpet effect has created ‘islands’ for the furniture. This adds another layer of aesthetic interest to the space while delineating zones for the wating and meeting areas.

9) Show That Sustainability Matters

Is your company passionate about combatting climate change? If so, then your reception area can reflect your eco-friendly ethos with a few smart additions.

For a great example, take a look at Chartway’s nature-inspired reception area in Kent. Our office interior designers introduced a living moss wall (courtesy of Innerspace Cheshire), slatted timber desk and a fitting green carpet for the stairs and waiting zone.

Related content: Sustainable Office Fit Out – a Guide for a Greener Future

10) Design with Your Receptionist in Mind

To echo our point at the beginning, 51% of people say a smile from a receptionist is the most effective way to leave a positive impression. But what’s that got to do with design?

As interior design can play a big part in employee wellbeing, it’s important that your reception area gives your staff members what they need to be happy. To achieve this, here are some aspects you should consider:

• Safety – To tighten security, consider installing security barriers that require fob access and robust security doors, like we did at WeSoda (above).
• Acoustics – While receptions are invariably busy places, you can reduce noise by laying carpet on stairs to soften sounds created by footsteps. You can also use materials that absorb sound, like the timber-slat desk at Chartway.
• Comfort – Make sure the receptionist has an ergonomic task chair to ensure back support throughout the day. This will prevent discomfort and potential long-term injuries like lower back pain.

Furthermore, a vibrant aesthetic will help to boost morale. Combined with the points above, your receptionist will feel happier and healthier in the role.

Bonus FAQs

What is the best way to design a corporate office reception area?

We recommend going for a ‘business first’ approach for your corporate reception area. This means setting a professional tone that resonates with employees upon entry and associates coming in for crucial business meetings.

However, to avoid being too formal, you should introduce elements that create an inviting, relaxed atmosphere. After all, you want to welcome people into your reception – not scare them off!

Here are some corporate office reception ideas to create the perfect balance:

• Hospitality inspired design – Many employees in corporate circles will be used to travelling internationally. Therefore, hospitality-inspired design that replicates business class airport lounges or hotel reception areas – where people wait in transit – is a good place to start.
• Combination mood lighting – As we’ve mentioned above, a combination of lighting can help to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. The WeSoda example is great as it combines soft wall lights with classy hanging glass pendants.
• Technology – If you want to project an image of yourself as a forward-thinking market leader, we recommend embracing digital visitor management systems like the aforementioned VPod.
• High-end finishes – Think marble/stone finishes for elements like the reception desks, leather (or faux leather) sofas and high-back chairs with stylish upholstery.
• Living walls and modern art – These elements will ensure your reception is not too formal, helping to offset an overly-strict professional look. As we’ve mentioned, living walls of biophilia are great for lobby walkways, while modern art has connotations of sophistication and luxury.

For more corporate inspiration, check out our article: 10 Corporate Office Design Ideas and Concepts.

How do you design your office reception to reflect your brand?

If you want your reception to reflect your brand, go further than simply putting your logo in background. Over at Simpsons Wine Estate, the Kent-based company created a stunning reception / lobby area using various design features.

Here are some ideas:

• Heritage wall – Simpsons Wine Estate created a heritage wall that tells the story of company and defines its values. The wall is simple yet effective, making use of wooden frames that include high quality visuals and text. Note how they are situated in the seating area so people can read while they wait.
• Printed wall murals – As Simpsons Wine Estate produces high quality sparkling wine, the owners opted for a vibrant wall mural of the vineyard. This makes for a visually arresting, on-brand feature that grabs visitors as they enter the lobby. There are also wine glass wall prints on the staircase walls, building anticipation for visitors as the head towards the wine tasting room above.
• Owner signatures – For a subtle but effective touch, Simpsons Wine Estate printed the owners’ signatures on the waiting area wall. This adds a nice personal touch that suggests ties in well with the story-themed heritage wall.

It is worth noting that Simpsons Wine Estate host wine tasting events at the venue, so the design needed to create an unforgettable experience. As such, this case study illustrates how a reception area can be leveraged to leave a lasting impression on every visitor.

Conclusion: 10 top Tips to Make Your Reception Area Rock

As the data suggests, your reception area is more than just a waiting room or a place to pass through. It represents your company’s brand values, professional standards and culture.

Whether you’re leaning towards the modern-industrial look or drawing inspiration from hospitality design, the goal should be to leave a good first and last impression on visitors and employees.

By applying the tips from this article, you’ll create an impactful reception area experience that builds trust with visitors and instils pride amongst your team.

Ready to Start Your Reception Area Refurbishment?

Do you want to transform your reception area into a space that truly rocks?

Rap Interiors has over 30 years’ experience creating stunning interior design schemes that elevate entrance and lobby areas. From sourcing reception area furniture to installing company signage, we can cover every aspect of the design and build.

To book a consultation, please call 0333 600 1234, email refurb@rapinteriorsco.uk or fill out the enquiry form below.