FRONT OFFICE DESIGN

The reception area of a business is the first impression that clients or guests get from a company, it is therefore important that the area correctly conveys your brand and culture. Designing the right office layout space is an important aspect when communicating brand and culture to visitors. The front office reception area should be an extension of your value system and what you are building. It therefore needs to be carefully designed into a space that is modern, functional and stylish, whilst at the same time projecting professionalism. For companies that welcome visitors on a regular basis, the reception area really is the public face of the company.

In the past, visitors and clients waited in a large space with a receptionist’s desk and comfortable seating area before entering a business’s working space. Nowadays, more and more companies particularly startups are doing away with the reception area altogether by combining workspace with the reception.

Here are a few things to consider for your front office design;

Color theme

Since the front office is an extension your brand you may to want to consider just using the same colors for your front office as with your corporate colors. This will cause visitors to relate to your brand as they visualize these colors. However in some cases the corporate colors may not be ideal for the front office in which case you may always opt for neutral colors. Light neutrals generally blend well with a wide variety of furnishing options. You can also use the same color combination for your flooring as well as your wall. Remember you can also inject some color into the space through wall art, pillows or rugs.

Lighting

If you are fortunate enough to have streams of natural light flowing into your waiting area then by all means capitalize on it! Keep shades or window blinds to a minimum. If you are in a darker place, make use of soft lighting such as table lamps or other light fixtures. Use LED lighting for a more natural feel. Make sure there is plenty of light in your space to ensure that your visitor can easily read and feel relaxed. The best material

When it comes to selecting the best material for the main furnishings for your front office space there are three things to consider which are durability, comfortability and visual appeal. Although you have to consider your budget you are better off going for more expensive material than one time shiny cheap material as you would want your reception area to be visually appealing for a long time. If you want something that will look and feel good for a longer period, leather is a great option.

Accessories

Consider small touches that would add comfort to your client such as a coat rack or space to put a wet umbrella. Ensure that there is enough surface space such as coffee tables for a client to set down a beverage, folder or handbag. You can also include some reading material on the tables.

Technology

Sitting and waiting whilst doing nothing is not only boring but also unproductive, consider mounting up a television in your waiting area or even granting your guest Wi-Fi access.