- AJ Products UK
- Blog: Tips to Inspire Happiness at Work
- Improving the work environment
- Create a good first impression with the right reception furniture
Create a good first impression with the right reception furniture
The reception area or lobby is the face of the business. It gives visitors their first impression of the company and is usually the first thing employees see every day. Therefore, it is important to think carefully about how you furnish this space – everything from colours and inviting soft seating to practical additions like entrance mats. Below are six tips for creating an inviting entrance area.
1. Trap dirt with matting
A good entrance mat serves several purposes. It will collect dirt and moisture from shoes, it reduces wear and tear on the floors and it makes cleaning easier and prevents slippery floors. It also contributes to a giving a good impression, especially during rainy or snowy days. It’s best to have a tough rubber mat, just outside the entrance, that will effectively scrape mud and dirt from shoes as people walk over it. Then a second mat just inside the entrance that has both absorbency and a scrape function. Finally, a third mat that has high absorbency to protect against slipping.
2. Create inviting seating areas
A comfortable seating area makes the entrance more welcoming and invites people to relax. If you have plenty of room you could afford to get generous sized sofas and armchairs. You could even include a stylish coffee table. If you’re tight for space then two lounge chairs and a café table would be perfectly sufficient.Browse reception seating
3. Choose a reception desk that fits your needs
A nice reception desk will enhance your entrance. By selecting a desk consisting of separate modules, it is easy to adapt it to different needs. Combine high and low sections so that the receptionist and the visitor can choose between sitting and standing.
Behind the desk, be sure to provide hidden storage and tidy cable management. A clean, uncluttered desk helps project an image of professionalism and efficiency.
4. Provide coat and hat storage
It should be convenient for visitors to hang up their outdoor clothing. This is especially important during the winter when many people have a heavy coat, hat, gloves and scarf. A smaller coat stand or a hat shelf with hooks or coat hangers could be sufficient. Sometimes a larger clothes rack or a clothes locker is more suitable. Mobile clothes storage is great if you need to be flexible. Supplement with an umbrella stand and personal protection lockers for expensive items.5. Think through the colour selection
Your choice of colours plays a key role in how your reception area is perceived. Soft greens and blues are calming, while bolder colours like red or orange can bring energy. Wherever possible, draw on your company’s brand palette to maintain continuity throughout the workplace. Even subtle hints of your brand colours can help reinforce identity and professionalism.
6. Give it an extra touch with small details
The finishing touches make all the difference. Reception furniture should be complemented by extras such as mood lighting, display racks for brochures or magazines, a coffee machine or a water dispenser. These small comforts elevate the space and contribute to a more memorable visitor experience.
Why Reception Furniture Is Worth the Investment
Whether you run a small business or manage a large corporate office, your reception area should reflect who you are as a company. The right office reception furniture doesn’t just look good; it improves comfort, supports your front-of-house staff and helps visitors feel confident in your business from the moment they walk in.
At AJ Products UK, we offer a wide selection of reception seating furniture, modular reception desks, and office reception furniture solutions to suit any space or brand. We’re here to help you design an entrance area that’s as functional as it is impressive.
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