Making a good first impression is a priority for businesses of all sizes, and that means a well-designed reception area is essential. Thames Contracts, based in Barnet, London, has extensive experience of office design and build projects including fitting out and remodelling reception areas. Office glass walls and partitioning can often make an important contribution to the layout of this space and also provide an opportunity to enhance your brand identity.
Here we look at some of the current trends for reception design and how they can be used to put across the right message about your company, welcoming visitors and encouraging them to return.
Reception Desks
As the centrepiece and focal point of any reception area, the desk is a key furniture piece. Often companies and organisations will prefer a bespoke design, using colours, shapes and other elements which make a statement about the aims and values of their brand. For instance, a technology company might opt for a very modern-looking design, with metal, glass and streamlined curves, while a more traditional firm might prefer a wooden desk.
Bespoke desks can also incorporate your company name and logo and any other branding elements. Another advantage of ordering a tailor-made desk is that it can be constructed to the exact size you require, fitting into your specific reception area and working well with other items of furniture.
While appearance is vital, an office reception desk must also be practical and have enough space for staff to be seated comfortably, with the right amount of storage built in. If a desk doesn’t have enough storage space out of view, this can lead to the reception area looking untidy and cluttered, which will give the wrong impression.
Glass Walls and Partitioning
Glass can often play a key role within an office reception area. If the office foyer leads straight on to other areas, such as meeting rooms, office partitions can provide a stylish solution for separating these off. Frameless glass walls, with either glass or solid doors, are a popular option chosen by many companies in the London and St Albans areas. Security glass screens will also be needed in some reception areas, depending on the type of business.
Where glass partitioning is included within an office reception area, it can often be used to reinforce branding, by choosing manifestation which incorporates company logos and other designs also used on the reception desk.
Breakout and Informal Meeting Areas
With a high level of pressure on office space across the London and Hertfordshire areas, demand has increased for more use to be made of lobby areas. Instead of leaving a lot of space free, many offices have now brought their foyers into greater use as informal meeting or breakout areas.
There is a growing trend for soft chairs and tables, together with a coffee machine or other catering options and facilities for charging up mobile devices. Meeting pods, often in bright colours, can be included within a breakout area to enable people to hold a quick chat in privacy. Co-working spaces and business centres where numerous smaller companies are based may have a larger breakout area adjoining the building’s reception, which might include sofas and large TV or video screens, together with vending machines.
Décor and Lighting
White walls and neutral décor are popular in reception areas, but there is also a trend for modern office designs to include a contrast feature wall with bright colours or patterning. This adds interest and can create a more vibrant atmosphere, which is especially appropriate to advertising and media companies. Space can also be used in the foyer to display awards or company artwork, perhaps highlighting a current project or charity initiative, while plants and flowers add colour and interest.
Well-designed lighting can also make a big difference to the first impression people receive on entering the area. Allowing in natural light will help to make both staff and visitors feel more relaxed and create a feeling of greater wellbeing. Use of glass can help to reflect light within the area. Strategically-placed spot lighting can also contribute to a more modern and sophisticated atmosphere, and create a greater focus on a key element such as a company logo or a piece of art.
Thames Contracts fits out many reception areas and carries out a full range of office fitout and refurbishment projects across London and Hertfordshire. We also provide installation of office glass walls and partitions and offer a glass manifestation service. Partitions can be installed either as a separate project or as part of a larger fitout.
Office Glass Walls London – Contact Thames Contracts to find out more about our office partitioning service, refurbishments and refits.
