Welcoming visitors to your workplace – how well do you do it?
Posted on 23rd June 2023
You only get one chance to make the right first impression. True? We think so …
The reception area of a business, office, schools, vets, hotels, universities, medical or garage showroom is the focal point of many a business wouldn’t you agree. It is the first place seen and visited by employees, job candidates, suppliers and clients. So it is only natural a lot of focus and attention to detail should be spent on this space. A look of professionalism is key.
Post Covid, reception areas are still valid, still used and still needed. A human to greet you and a friendly face eg a manned reception, instead of an automated machine, can create a great first impression for a business welcoming people in and it can go a long way customer service wise too.
Receptions are not external and internal visitors; it is worth remembering! And did you know there is a national receptionist’s day annually?
What is needed for a reception area?
So post Covid, have reception areas changed that much? Not really, we say. The essentials are needed such as:
a desk for the receptionist to sit behind with a chair/chairs
soft seating for the visitors to sit on
a coffee table
a magazine rack or cabinet
a water cooler/machine and
decent flooring perhaps with a welcome mat/rug added in. plants, faux or real are also a lovely finishing touch to such a space. And for some, screens are still required for hygiene and protective reasons, which we can also help with.
What else needs to be considered for your reception?
This is an area with high footfall so hard-wearing flooring is needed. The material for the seating needs to be durable, and wipeable/safety hygienic based if this is for a medical or animal based waiting area or where children with sticky fingers hand out and also in areas where dirt is prone such as a garage.
Rugs, mats and carpet tiles can also be branded with the logo too.
The décor should also be in keeping with the company colours and brand. Wall art and signage is to be factored in too, again in line with the brand, culture and ethos.
If things need to be stored in reception, discreet and tidy storage is essential to keep the area look tidy and presentable.
Comfort and creating a user-friendly area are two key areas to factor in also.
One final area to factor in, is your reception open plan or a closed off room? What is the rest of your office like as in how does the reception flow/fit in with it? Noise levels and acoustics may need to be considered here, as well as the design, furniture and layout.
Designing your reception area
If you need some ideas on redesigning or reviewing your reception, get in touch. In the meantime here are some images to peruse
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