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Top 5 things to consider for your office reception
Author:
16
December 2022
4
min read
When you meet people for the first time, you only have one chance to make a great first impression. And in the world of work, this first impression can be critical.
The same is true of places as with people, which is why it’s crucial that your workplace reception area makes a positive impact from the get-go.
Your reception area is the first message you will send to anyone visiting your office. This space has the potential to influence perceptions of your organisation from the moment someone steps foot in the door.
A tired, dark and uninspiring reception area can set you off on the wrong foot. But by purposefully creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere that brings company culture to life, you curate an entirely different experience.
If your workplace reception is light, fresh, and interesting, it encourages clients, visitors, staff or potential employees to build a positive impression of your organisation, and it may even act as a catalyst for a conversation before you get down to real business.
So how can you harness the most out of your reception area? Here are five key areas to consider…
Branding
It's important that visitors know that they are walking into your workplace, but there are different ways to go about it. Bringing your brand to life within a space is never as simple as flicking through your company style guide and picking a few colours. A brand is about the message, direction and vision of your organisation. You’ll want to align the design of your welcome space with these concepts so people know they are in the right place.
Take these two approaches for example.
Adidas have utilised a bold approach to branding for their Manchester office reception, implementing a large use of their logo, accompanied by some instantly recognisable faces of their brand.
Whereas MoneySuperMarket has opted for a more subtle communication of identity at their Ewloe headquarters. They have used a small logo within the reception desk and a selective use of brand colours is on the screen behind the desk.
Experience
Experience is paramount when building first impressions. This is true on two levels, as well as looking good, you want to think about the practicalities of the space too. Knowing where to go is their first challenge, so making it as easy to navigate as possible is a great place to start.
Asking questions can help you define the experience you’d like your visitors to engage with upon visiting your workplace. What’s the first thing they see? Is it a reception desk, or a concierge platform? Are they greeted with face-to-face interaction or a piece of technology? What technology will you need? If your receptionist is taking a lot of calls rather than having a lot of face-to-face interactions, the requirements will be different.
Sodexo chose to utilise Innovative Vpod solutions to operate as digital concierge services for guest booking, viewing meeting availability and suggesting catering and travel options for a truly immersive experience.
Lighting
Lighting is an often underutilised tool when it comes to office reception design, but when you get it right it can make all the difference.
When it comes to the lighting for your reception area, natural light is generally more welcoming and easier on the eyes than artificial light. When designing Kellogg’s new office, we played to the strengths of the glass building and utilised its openness to bring a bright and spacious feel to each area. This change allowed for a light and airy reception, reflecting the vibrant Kellogg’s brand and welcoming all guests.
Not all spaces will have access to natural light. So in these cases, it’s important to think about the mood you create using lighting. With a wide variety of lighting options available, it doesn’t need to feel like you’re in a doctor's surgery. If you’re in a dark space, table lamps and wall fixtures will help create a warm, welcoming and relaxed atmosphere.
Clyde and Co's Manchester office had limited access to a large amount of natural light in their reception, so a gentle, more yellowing light was used to create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
Furniture
When it comes to selecting furniture, you want to strike the right balance. It needs to be stylish and reflect your brand, but it also needs to provide a comfortable place for visitors to sit and wait, catch a quick call or connect to technology.
Whilst low seating might look good, it can be difficult to stand up from. So you might want to consider options like comfy sofas or cushioned chairs to ensure your visitors can relax happily while waiting.
Furniture can also be used as a way of building brand identity when done tastefully and cohesively. Our project with Black’s Solicitors played upon the bright yellow in their brand colour palette to provide contrast and direction in the reception area.
Natural elements
Incorporating natural elements like greenery into the office has been found to have a positive impact on both physical and mental wellbeing. Bringing plants into the reception area helps visitors to relax while they are waiting and can be a great way to add an extra dimension to the space.
Bringing nature into the space can be as simple as placing some small potted plants on tables, or you can go bigger and incorporate a living wall into your reception area. These features can be a great way to make a statement whilst bringing the benefits of biophilia in. It is important to get the right plants though.
Choosing indoor plants that require little attention is beneficial as they will be more robust and have a longer shelf life. No one wants to be greeted by a dying Monstera plant.
A great example of utilising biophilia is JTI‘s amazingly plant-filled workplace. We worked with JTI to transform their offices into an inspirational hub that fills people with pride as they walk in the door and natural elements played a huge role in this transition.
Biophilia can also be applied to artificial plants. Take this (non)living wall feature at frog’s office in London. We are unconsciously connected to nature and although it might not be as good as the real thing, artificial office plants provide the visual stimulation we seek whilst requiring very little maintenance to keep them.
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Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Top 5 things to consider for your office reception
Author:
16
December 2022
4
min read
When you meet people for the first time, you only have one chance to make a great first impression. And in the world of work, this first impression can be critical.
The same is true of places as with people, which is why it’s crucial that your workplace reception area makes a positive impact from the get-go.
Your reception area is the first message you will send to anyone visiting your office. This space has the potential to influence perceptions of your organisation from the moment someone steps foot in the door.
A tired, dark and uninspiring reception area can set you off on the wrong foot. But by purposefully creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere that brings company culture to life, you curate an entirely different experience.
If your workplace reception is light, fresh, and interesting, it encourages clients, visitors, staff or potential employees to build a positive impression of your organisation, and it may even act as a catalyst for a conversation before you get down to real business.
So how can you harness the most out of your reception area? Here are five key areas to consider…
Branding
It's important that visitors know that they are walking into your workplace, but there are different ways to go about it. Bringing your brand to life within a space is never as simple as flicking through your company style guide and picking a few colours. A brand is about the message, direction and vision of your organisation. You’ll want to align the design of your welcome space with these concepts so people know they are in the right place.
Take these two approaches for example.
Adidas have utilised a bold approach to branding for their Manchester office reception, implementing a large use of their logo, accompanied by some instantly recognisable faces of their brand.
Whereas MoneySuperMarket has opted for a more subtle communication of identity at their Ewloe headquarters. They have used a small logo within the reception desk and a selective use of brand colours is on the screen behind the desk.
Experience
Experience is paramount when building first impressions. This is true on two levels, as well as looking good, you want to think about the practicalities of the space too. Knowing where to go is their first challenge, so making it as easy to navigate as possible is a great place to start.
Asking questions can help you define the experience you’d like your visitors to engage with upon visiting your workplace. What’s the first thing they see? Is it a reception desk, or a concierge platform? Are they greeted with face-to-face interaction or a piece of technology? What technology will you need? If your receptionist is taking a lot of calls rather than having a lot of face-to-face interactions, the requirements will be different.
Sodexo chose to utilise Innovative Vpod solutions to operate as digital concierge services for guest booking, viewing meeting availability and suggesting catering and travel options for a truly immersive experience.
Lighting
Lighting is an often underutilised tool when it comes to office reception design, but when you get it right it can make all the difference.
When it comes to the lighting for your reception area, natural light is generally more welcoming and easier on the eyes than artificial light. When designing Kellogg’s new office, we played to the strengths of the glass building and utilised its openness to bring a bright and spacious feel to each area. This change allowed for a light and airy reception, reflecting the vibrant Kellogg’s brand and welcoming all guests.
Not all spaces will have access to natural light. So in these cases, it’s important to think about the mood you create using lighting. With a wide variety of lighting options available, it doesn’t need to feel like you’re in a doctor's surgery. If you’re in a dark space, table lamps and wall fixtures will help create a warm, welcoming and relaxed atmosphere.
Clyde and Co's Manchester office had limited access to a large amount of natural light in their reception, so a gentle, more yellowing light was used to create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
Furniture
When it comes to selecting furniture, you want to strike the right balance. It needs to be stylish and reflect your brand, but it also needs to provide a comfortable place for visitors to sit and wait, catch a quick call or connect to technology.
Whilst low seating might look good, it can be difficult to stand up from. So you might want to consider options like comfy sofas or cushioned chairs to ensure your visitors can relax happily while waiting.
Furniture can also be used as a way of building brand identity when done tastefully and cohesively. Our project with Black’s Solicitors played upon the bright yellow in their brand colour palette to provide contrast and direction in the reception area.
Natural elements
Incorporating natural elements like greenery into the office has been found to have a positive impact on both physical and mental wellbeing. Bringing plants into the reception area helps visitors to relax while they are waiting and can be a great way to add an extra dimension to the space.
Bringing nature into the space can be as simple as placing some small potted plants on tables, or you can go bigger and incorporate a living wall into your reception area. These features can be a great way to make a statement whilst bringing the benefits of biophilia in. It is important to get the right plants though.
Choosing indoor plants that require little attention is beneficial as they will be more robust and have a longer shelf life. No one wants to be greeted by a dying Monstera plant.
A great example of utilising biophilia is JTI‘s amazingly plant-filled workplace. We worked with JTI to transform their offices into an inspirational hub that fills people with pride as they walk in the door and natural elements played a huge role in this transition.
Biophilia can also be applied to artificial plants. Take this (non)living wall feature at frog’s office in London. We are unconsciously connected to nature and although it might not be as good as the real thing, artificial office plants provide the visual stimulation we seek whilst requiring very little maintenance to keep them.
When you meet people for the first time, you only have one chance to make a great first impression. And in the world of work, this first impression can be critical.
The same is true of places as with people, which is why it’s crucial that your workplace reception area makes a positive impact from the get-go.
Your reception area is the first message you will send to anyone visiting your office. This space has the potential to influence perceptions of your organisation from the moment someone steps foot in the door.
A tired, dark and uninspiring reception area can set you off on the wrong foot. But by purposefully creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere that brings company culture to life, you curate an entirely different experience.
If your workplace reception is light, fresh, and interesting, it encourages clients, visitors, staff or potential employees to build a positive impression of your organisation, and it may even act as a catalyst for a conversation before you get down to real business.
So how can you harness the most out of your reception area? Here are five key areas to consider…
Branding
It's important that visitors know that they are walking into your workplace, but there are different ways to go about it. Bringing your brand to life within a space is never as simple as flicking through your company style guide and picking a few colours. A brand is about the message, direction and vision of your organisation. You’ll want to align the design of your welcome space with these concepts so people know they are in the right place.
Take these two approaches for example.
Adidas have utilised a bold approach to branding for their Manchester office reception, implementing a large use of their logo, accompanied by some instantly recognisable faces of their brand.
Whereas MoneySuperMarket has opted for a more subtle communication of identity at their Ewloe headquarters. They have used a small logo within the reception desk and a selective use of brand colours is on the screen behind the desk.
Experience
Experience is paramount when building first impressions. This is true on two levels, as well as looking good, you want to think about the practicalities of the space too. Knowing where to go is their first challenge, so making it as easy to navigate as possible is a great place to start.
Asking questions can help you define the experience you’d like your visitors to engage with upon visiting your workplace. What’s the first thing they see? Is it a reception desk, or a concierge platform? Are they greeted with face-to-face interaction or a piece of technology? What technology will you need? If your receptionist is taking a lot of calls rather than having a lot of face-to-face interactions, the requirements will be different.
Sodexo chose to utilise Innovative Vpod solutions to operate as digital concierge services for guest booking, viewing meeting availability and suggesting catering and travel options for a truly immersive experience.
Lighting
Lighting is an often underutilised tool when it comes to office reception design, but when you get it right it can make all the difference.
When it comes to the lighting for your reception area, natural light is generally more welcoming and easier on the eyes than artificial light. When designing Kellogg’s new office, we played to the strengths of the glass building and utilised its openness to bring a bright and spacious feel to each area. This change allowed for a light and airy reception, reflecting the vibrant Kellogg’s brand and welcoming all guests.
Not all spaces will have access to natural light. So in these cases, it’s important to think about the mood you create using lighting. With a wide variety of lighting options available, it doesn’t need to feel like you’re in a doctor's surgery. If you’re in a dark space, table lamps and wall fixtures will help create a warm, welcoming and relaxed atmosphere.
Clyde and Co's Manchester office had limited access to a large amount of natural light in their reception, so a gentle, more yellowing light was used to create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
Furniture
When it comes to selecting furniture, you want to strike the right balance. It needs to be stylish and reflect your brand, but it also needs to provide a comfortable place for visitors to sit and wait, catch a quick call or connect to technology.
Whilst low seating might look good, it can be difficult to stand up from. So you might want to consider options like comfy sofas or cushioned chairs to ensure your visitors can relax happily while waiting.
Furniture can also be used as a way of building brand identity when done tastefully and cohesively. Our project with Black’s Solicitors played upon the bright yellow in their brand colour palette to provide contrast and direction in the reception area.
Natural elements
Incorporating natural elements like greenery into the office has been found to have a positive impact on both physical and mental wellbeing. Bringing plants into the reception area helps visitors to relax while they are waiting and can be a great way to add an extra dimension to the space.
Bringing nature into the space can be as simple as placing some small potted plants on tables, or you can go bigger and incorporate a living wall into your reception area. These features can be a great way to make a statement whilst bringing the benefits of biophilia in. It is important to get the right plants though.
Choosing indoor plants that require little attention is beneficial as they will be more robust and have a longer shelf life. No one wants to be greeted by a dying Monstera plant.
A great example of utilising biophilia is JTI‘s amazingly plant-filled workplace. We worked with JTI to transform their offices into an inspirational hub that fills people with pride as they walk in the door and natural elements played a huge role in this transition.
Biophilia can also be applied to artificial plants. Take this (non)living wall feature at frog’s office in London. We are unconsciously connected to nature and although it might not be as good as the real thing, artificial office plants provide the visual stimulation we seek whilst requiring very little maintenance to keep them.
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