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Waiting Rooms

No matter what type of business you work in, the design of the space can drastically affect the impression visitors, clients and employees get of your business. They say first impressions are everything, and the first place the people who enter your building will typically see is the waiting room. Do your business a favor and make that first impression matter by following these simple tips.

 

Make it Beautiful

Beautiful interior design will leave a positive impression on your guests and employees, and you don’t need to spend an arm and a leg to create a space that will wow. Think of the overall style you want to achieve in your reception area first, then come up with ways you can create that look from front to back while sticking within your budget requirements. If you’re going for traditional charm, you may want to splurge on a really impressive wood veneer reception desk, but you can save money on décor by choosing inexpensive but attractive rugs, faux plants and artwork. Whatever you do, just make the room look cohesive and have it reflect your brand. If you’re a lawyer’s office, for example, you’ll probably want a more traditional look. If you’re a startup tech company, you may want to go with something more modern.

 
modern waiting room

Make it Comfortable

Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and many value comfort over the way a room looks. From providing well-padded guest chairs to offering visitors water or coffee when they arrive, you’ll want to ensure that the people in your waiting room feel welcomed, especially if you have the type of business where people will be sitting in the waiting room for long periods of time. Comfort should also come in the form of flow in your waiting area. For example, make sure your guests know exactly where to go as soon as they enter the space. Your reception desk should be a statement piece at the front of the room, and doors and entryways should be obvious so that first time visitors don’t need to guess at where to go. This can be achieved with proper furniture arrangement or with simple signage.

 
modern waiting room

Make it Memorable

A good first impression is a lasting one. Although you can make your reception area memorable by designing it to be beautiful and comfortable, you should go the extra mile by making it well-branded and unique to your business. You can accomplish this feat by incorporating a large accent wall in your company’s branded color or by using a signature furniture style like mid-century modern through the space. Whatever unique feature you choose, a cohesive, on-brand look will make the room more memorable, and every business can benefit from being remembered.

 
modern waiting room

Have your own ideas for making a positive and lasting impression in your waiting room? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

More From NBF

How to Brand Your Waiting Room

Your reception area is the first point of contact that most people have with your physical office location. Whether it’s employees, investors, or customers, everyone should know exactly where they are when they step into your business, and your office design should give a positive impression. Here are a few techniques you can use to achieve brand recognition and shine the right light on your company via the design of your reception area.

Display Your Business Name

First and foremost, your company’s name should have a place of pride at the front and center of your reception area. Common places to display a company name or logo include behind the reception desk and on the front door, but the location will vary depending on the layout of your waiting room.

Incorporate Your Brand’s Colors 

Your company probably uses color in your logo or on your website. While you may consider painting the walls in your brand colors, there are plenty of other ways to bring in a splash of your signature style. Try incorporating your company colors via the chairs in your waiting room, or pull in pops of color in the artwork or décor in the space. Remember that less is more, so be careful to add just the right touches without going overboard.

Add Items That Reflect Your Company Culture and Values

If your company emphasizes fun, reflect that by using bright colors and funky furnishings. If you’re strictly business, keep your reception area polished and pristine. You can even take a literal outlook on this technique by posting your company values or tagline on a board for all to see. This may also be a great opportunity to show your passion for the city in which your company operates.

Use Existing Features 

You could cover up cement flooring with carpeting, but maybe you could work with it to create a unique look while saving a little money. Other great ideas include creating reading nooks in small, awkward spaces and using large blank walls to display branded artwork. Working with your waiting room’s existing architecture will create better visual flow and differentiate your space from competitors.

Remember that your waiting room branding serves multiple groups of people. Not only does it need to leave guests with a lasting, positive impression of your business, but it also needs to inspire employees every day when they come to work.

 

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How to Design a Modern Waiting Room

Designing a modern waiting room can be daunting, no matter how small or large your space may be. After all, your reception area is often the first image guests will have of your organization, so making a positive impression in this room is vital. Here’s what you should add to your space if you want to achieve a truly modern look in your lobby.

Sleek and Simple Guest Seating

Make sure that your guest chairs aren’t too big or bulky. Traditional sofas and lounge chairs take up a lot of space in a room—instead, go with chairs with seats raised from the floor. This will give off a more modern appearance and even help make your waiting room appear larger. You can kick the style up a notch by choosing chairs with a metal framework.

Occasional Tables That Match Your Guest Seating

Match your tables to your guest chairs for a collected, well-coordinated appeal. Glass top tables give off an especially sleek and simple look, delivering the functionality of coffee and end tables without the bulky design elements that many traditional options tend to feature.

Statement Reception Desk

Because it’s likely the first thing visitors see when they enter your office, the reception desk should be the statement piece of your waiting room. Choose something large enough for staff to work comfortably, but make sure it’s proportionately sized to fit the space in your lobby. Additionally, you should select a desk with a transaction counter that will make it easy for guests to fill out paperwork while standing. You may also want to consider reception desks with ADA-compliant surfaces that can accommodate users in wheelchairs.

A Comfortable yet Stylish Receptionist Chair

It is far more important for your receptionists to be comfortable while they work than for you to equip them with chairs that look good, but it’s usually not too difficult to find task seating that accomplishes both of these feats. Select an ergonomic chair with multiple adjustments that can be easily switched up to accommodate different employees as shifts change throughout the day. This ensures your staff is comfortable while working since you can’t expect good work from uncomfortable employees. When it comes to the style factor, you may want to choose an ergonomic chair in sleek mesh or leather upholstery. Additionally, a chair with a white or chrome framework will be much more visually exciting than a chair that’s basic black.

Simple Artwork

Blank walls don’t make much of an impression, so dress them up in just the right way. Remember, less is more. You’ll want to make sure not to go overboard with your décor choices. Try adding framed or canvas artwork in a neutral or minimal color palette.

Functional but Interesting Coat Racks

You’ll need a place for guests to hang their coats and hats when they enter, so why not make that area just as stylish as the rest of the room? Coat racks in a modern style look great whether they’re being used or not.

An Elegant Floor Lamp

Even the most beautiful room is nothing without good lighting. Illuminate your reception area with a chrome or satin nickel floor lamp to light up the space. You can even use matching table lamps in the room for a well-coordinated look.

Cozy Accent Pillows

Adding pillows to the space will make your reception area feel a little more like home, which is often a welcoming feature for guests. This is also an excellent opportunity to bring in some color, which you may want to match to your wall art if possible.

 

How Do I Modernize My Waiting Room?

How Do I Modernize My Waiting Room?

As the first point of contact for your customers, your waiting room should reflect your business’s brand and make guests feel immediately welcome. For most offices, that means incorporating a clean, modern look into the space that will leave a positive impression. A showstopping reception desk with a custom-built look can do just the trick.

Find the Right Fit

Make sure you get a reception desk in the right size for your space. Although you may want a huge statement piece, a large desk in a small lobby will make the room look cramped and uncomfortable, which is not the look you want. Likewise, a small desk in a large space will look out of proportion.

Sleek and Simple is Best

If a modern look is what you’re going for, remember that less is more. A clean, simple look like that of the NBF Signature Series Esquire collection will give a fresh look without bells or whistles. A glass transaction top gives these desks a unique edge, while a wood grain look in mahogany or driftwood provides a pop of color without being overwhelming.

Consider the Needs of Everyone

Not only does your reception desk need to look great, but it needs to be functional too. Make sure you choose a reception desk with a transaction counter that will make it easy for visitors to fill out paperwork without requiring them to bend down too far. Be sure to also consider your visitors with physical limitations. ADA-compliant desk returns are specially designed to accommodate individuals in wheelchairs.

Keep Your Staff in Mind

Of course, giving your guests a good impression of your business is crucial, but don’t forget your employees. The reception desk should be comfortable and functional enough for your staff to get the job done. Needs will vary from one business to the next, but make sure your staff has enough work surface space, business storage space for files and office supplies, and personal storage space for a jacket and other personal belongings.

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Nicole Groshek

Nicole Groshek is the social media and content coordinator for National Business Furniture. She helps employees discover the true joy in loving what they do, from working in an inspiring office to having a little fun on the job.