Is your reception area up to scratch? Are you making first impressions of your business count?
Reception is one of the most important areas in your physical business premises. Regardless of whether you are a corporate office, a retailer (in which case this is your point-of-sale counter), a medical centre, a legal firm, a school, a travel agency, a vehicle dealership, an accountant, a restaurant or club, or any other business entity, ensuring your reception area fulfils its role and ticks several specific boxes for your brand and customers/clients is very important.
Hiring the right fit-out company and office interior designer near you is essential to optimising this space in the best way possible.
The Importance of Your Reception Area
Your reception area creates the first physical impression your clientele has of your business (after any window dressing you may have). It is where you meet and greet clients for the first time and may also serve as a waiting area.
Being visually appealing isn’t enough. A well-designed and fitted reception space will be welcoming and effectively reflect your business – its purpose and brand identity – and reinforce a specific and positive image and feel for visitors to your premises. It also presents an opportunity for you to inform and give visitors a distinct impression of your company and its culture.
Investing in your reception area is incredibly important.
Considerations for Your Fit-Out and Design
- First impressions are critical. A poor first impression is difficult (if not impossible) to rectify. This will not only harm your interaction with the client in the moment but potentially also your overall reputation.
- Your reception area must send a clear message from the outset. Done well, it will convey competence, organisation, and trustworthiness.
- A fresh, clean, and clutter-free reception area shows your clients that you operate likewise.
- Make sure your reception aesthetic is on-brand. This may be classic, sophisticated, calming, serious, energising, clinical, luxurious, minimalist, playful, chic … understand the feelings you wish to evoke and be informed by these.
- Your reception area is not just for your visitors and clients! Your staff will also appreciate stepping into their workplace each day with a space that encourages feelings of community and belonging.
- Other considerations include layout, use of space versus free space, colour scheme, flooring and lighting choices, appropriate furnishings, décor, required functionalities, safety and accessibility, and more.
Tips!
- A welcoming, comfortable reception area will suit a business that seeks to make its visitors feel at ease – for example, a psychologist or counsellor’s office. It should feel homely, relatable, friendly, and approachable. It may incorporate warm hues, comfortable furnishings, lamps, draperies, potted plants, and soft textures.
- Luxury and prestige accompany the branding of many a glamorous retailer and businesses including high-end hotels, resorts, law firms, restaurants, and more. Give your reception area an upscale aesthetic with opulent floral arrangements, luxe materials such as marble, high-end timber and leather, polished accents, striking light fittings, and textured walls.
- A calming, tranquil reception space works well for everything from medical centres to beauty salons and spas. Think minimal clutter, fresh materials, and natural surfaces. Inclusions here could feature live greenery or even vertical gardens, timber or engineered wood joinery, a water feature or aquarium, dimmed lighting, and blue tones.
- A dynamic and fun reception aesthetic suits a business that seeks to convey energy and excitement. This could be a café, retailer, IT company, childcare centre, media company, and others. Project enthusiasm with modern, clean lines, bright lighting, vibrant colours (accent walls and furnishings, for example), and unique décor pieces.
- An artistic or creative aesthetic can be achieved for businesses that wish to stand out and inspire edginess or flair – for example, galleries or media companies. From unique or even bespoke seating and artwork to statement pieces, the right approach can be a game changer.
Do you need to give your reception area a boost for 2024? Call CMLS Commercial Interiors!
CMLS Commercial Interiors is aSydney shopfitter, office fit-out company, and office interior designer. We have many years of experience in our industry and are trusted by clients across a wide variety of sectors for our exceptional services. No job is too large or too small – so contact us now to have a chat about your vision and how we can help you on your next project.
