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Reception Desk Counter Design & Types

There are so many manufacturers across Australia or in the world that make reception desk and counter specifically for offices or salons. The design and style for most of them are so similar with minor changes, however, after viewing and taking product designs and architectural principles into consideration, we came up with the following categories:

Modern Design

Having a modern office has can be accomplished by placing a modern design front desk counter to impress your clients and customers. The first thing anyone who walks into your office would see if the reception area.

Wooden

Glass top

Simple & small reception desk

Front desk version

Salon reception desks

Standard sizes & dimensions for counters or desks

There are many different sizes from very small to large counters. But also, you can buy the standard dimensions and sizes. If you are looking for something big to cover the whole area of the reception and 2 or more people work on that you choose one of the followings:

 W1800 X D750 X H1100Mm

Colours:

Beach & Charcoal

Cherry

Walnut

Natural Oak

White or Black

You see our range of counter furniture here

Questions to Ask Yourself Before you Buy a Reception Desk

Are you about to install a brand-new reception desk at your business, but you don’t know where to start? There’s a lot to consider. The reception is one of the first things that clients, customers and visitors see, so it’s vital to give a good first impression. You want the area to be both functional and aesthetic with care taken to consider the space that your reception desk is in. Here’s a list of things to consider when choosing a reception desk. 

  1. How much space do you have?

The first and most important thing to think about! Everyone who interacts with the reception desk needs enough personal working space, not only to prevent your staff working in a tight spot but also to help visitors not to feel cramped.

A quick rule of thumb is to select a front desk that is proportionate to your reception area. If you have a small space, get a small desk. If you have a large space, get a large desk. Pretty simple, right?

You will need to make sure that you measure the space well. Don’t forget to incorporate any architectural elements that may interfere with the reception counter (windows, inward-swinging doors, built-in workspaces etc). Figure out how much room your receptionist and customers are going to need to move freely. Consider whether your staff will be sitting or standing. Careful measuring is the first step to making sure you make the best purchase!

  1. How to you want to place your reception counter?

Typically, the receptionist/staff member should always face the point of entrance for the customers, guests or clients, and the orientation of your desk should reflect this. If your office foyer/waiting area has multiple entrances, a U-shape desk might be your best bet.

It’s also a good idea to think about the sight lines of the person walking into your business. They will most likely be looking for the reception desk, especially if they’re there for the first time. It’s important that your reception counter is highly visible. If your reception counter isn’t immediately noticeable, make sure there is plenty of clear signposting to show visitors the way.

  1. What kind of shape are you after?

There are many shapes to choose from when it comes to your reception desk. Here are some of the most popular models:

Curved Reception Desk

This is a good choice for saving space in small to mid-size spaces and looks fresh and contemporary.

U-shaped Reception Desk

U-shaped reception counters can be either curved or straight and are a great choice for a busy workspace that needs more than one receptionist working at the same time.

L-shaped Reception Desk

These are great if you need a main desk and an additional workspace. The design allows the receptionist to easily move from one work surface to another.

Round Reception Desk

If you’re in a large, open-plan space and want a modern look, consider a round reception counter. This means that your team at the centre of the room and gives a 360-degree view. This style won’t work in a small space however, so measure carefully before committing.

Rectangular reception desk

The tried and tested classic, the rectangular reception counter is the most common shape. It suits both small and large spaces and has the biggest varieties of styles and colours.

ADA Reception Desk

An ADA-compliant reception counter is designed to accommodate individuals in wheelchairs. These have adjustable heights and extra space to facilitate easy manoeuvrability of a wheelchair.

  1. What style best suits your company/office space?

Your reception counter design needs to express your business’s atmosphere and principles in a professional way. Whether it’s service, integrity, quality, or diversity, your reception counter needs to help create an experience for your visitors that they’ll remember (for all the good reasons!).

The good news is that there are countless options – the only limit is your imagination! You can choose styles and colours that best complement your business or brand, but remember to keep in mind that some trends in interior design will age, and some styles are timeless for a reason.

Is your company young, fresh and innovative? Consider something modern, minimalist or even a little eclectic. Is your company more serious and traditional? Try marble or oak to give a sense of quality and prestige. Do you work at a medical/health centre? Go for something clean and neat.

  1. How do you need your reception desk to function?

You need to make sure your reception counter is functional, both for the staff and for the customers or clients. Think about what kind of work the staff need to do at the desk and how the visitors will need to interact with it. Here are a few functional features to contemplate:

  • Storage: Think about your storage needs. Do you need files to be kept handy in the counter? Do you need drawers? Can items be stored away from the reception area, or do you need them close at hand?
  • Countertop space: Depending on your business, you will have different needs for countertop space. Will customer be filling out lots of paperwork? Do you need to display products/marketing material on your countertop? This all needs to be taken into consideration.
  • Ergonomics: Consider the comfort and efficiency of the desk for the staff who will be using it. They will thank you for it!
  • Equipment & Privacy: Do you need locked filing cabinets for confidentiality? Do you need a reception counter that can facilitate multiple computers and monitors?
  1. What material is best for your desk? (and what works for your budget?)

Reception counters are used every day and will inevitably suffer some wear and tear. The material you decide on for your reception desk will be influenced mostly by durability and budget. Some common materials for reception counters include:

Laminate

Laminate is a cheap way to get a “wood grain” look without breaking the bank. Counters that have a laminate surface are perfect for high traffic businesses because laminate is easy to keep clean and difficult to mark, scuff or dent.

Wood Veneer

Wood veneer is a step up from laminate – you can get an even better wood grain look without paying for solid wood. The downside is that veneer counters can be harder to clean and care for than laminate, but it does look professional and clean.

Solid Wood

Solid wood is super sturdy and long-lasting but also very expensive. As the material is easily scratched and dented, this isn’t a good option for a high-traffic environments. Consider solid wood for luxury businesses like hotels, banks and law firms.

Glass

Glass is durable and easy to clean, however it is prone to showing marks and dirty fingerprints. If you’re not willing to go all in with the glass countertop, you can find reception desks with wood veneer with a glass inlay.

All-Metal Desk

Metal desks, used mainly in industrial environments, are usually made of steel with either a chrome or powder-coated finish. The durability is undeniable, however the aesthetic might not fit with most modern offices.

Receptionist desk

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