First impressions are crucial in business. If you’re welcoming clients to a clinic, a hotel, a salon, a garage, an office or any other kind of business premises, you want to insure their first impression is a good one. Did you know that it takes an average of just 7 seconds for human beings to formulate first impressions? This means you have next to no time to set the tone and ensure your customers view your company in a positive light. If your reception area has seen better days, it’s rough around the edges, or it looks bland and uninspiring, this can affect the way people perceive your business. Smart, stylish spaces make you look professional, reliable and trustworthy.

There are several factors that come into play when ensuring your reception area impresses your clients, including a well-planned layout, attractive design concepts and high-quality reception furniture. If you’re a business owner looking to spruce up tired spaces, or you’re fitting out a new reception, we hope, you’ll find this guide helpful.

Planning your new reception area

Planning is essential when it comes to revamping or refurbishing an existing area or putting your stamp on new premises. Think about the amount of space you have available:

  • How you want to fill it – what furniture is required?
  • What is required to make it functional and practical for its purpose?
  • It needs to look attractive but does it also need to fit with your brand colours?

The furniture should look the part, but it should also serve a purpose. You want your customers to be comfortable and relaxed if they have to spend time waiting there, for example.

Plan the layout to maximise the space and consider the kind of vibe you want to create. Do you want the area to be soothing and calming, or are you eager to inject energy and enthusiasm?

Take a look in magazines and browse online for inspiration and think about creating bespoke reception designs to promote your brand and make your business stand out. In many cases, the reception desk is the first point of contact for customers or patients, so it’s essential to get the planning stage right.

Using the right furniture

Furniture can be a practical addition to a reception area, but it can also enhance the visual appeal. If you’re looking to make an impression straight away, carefully selected pieces can help you achieve this goal. You can add wow factor to the most basic design with a quirky table or a unique sofa, for example. Think carefully about the tone you’re trying to set and match the design to the type of business you run. It’s also vital to consider the functional uses of furniture. If you’ve got people coming and going all the time, and it’s likely that they’ll be waiting in reception for a while, ensure that there are enough chairs and focus on comfort.

Branding

If you’re welcoming new clients, buyers, potential investors or existing customers into your business premises, don’t miss out on the chance to promote your brand at every available opportunity. Branded flooring, visual screens and furniture can help to make your brand more memorable and give the space an identity. You don’t need to ensure that every single wall, floor or piece of furniture is covered in your logo, but it’s wise to use your reception space to welcome the customer and remind them where they are and how you’re going to help them.

All-important finishing touches

Once you’ve got a basic design in mind, you know the kind of look you’re going for, and you’ve selected furniture and got your branded features sorted, you can move onto those all-important finishing touches. It’s always important to have an eye for detail when it comes to kitting out the reception area. Use your imagination, customer feedback, and your own experiences to go the extra mile to make your customers feel comfortable and relaxed and to ensure they have an incredible impression of your business.

Simple things like filling a magazine rack with titles targeted at your audience, providing refreshments or using a literature stand to offer useful information can make all the difference. Place a branded mat at the door to welcome clients, add some cushions to sofas and armchairs and inject a bit of personality. Match your accessories or final additions to the style of the room and the type of business you manage, and always bear the target market in mind.

How can Randalls help you?

Are you in the process of furnishing new business premises or could your reception area do with a makeover? Here at Randalls, we can provide a range of reception furniture to suit all budgets. We offer a full delivery and installation service on a wide range of reception desks and seating solutions. For further information and advice call one of our expert team on 0117 360 0123.

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