Office Lobbies: Nailing That First Impression
The first thing a client sees when walking into your office influences their opinion of your company. You want that first impression to be a good one. A lot of things influence how clients feel, but the top one on the list of visiting clients is the design of your lobby. You want this space to be welcoming, designed, and comfortable for anyone who walks in. But how do you ensure that you are portraying the right message? Here is how to nail the office first impression:
Flow:
The plants and wall lead your right to the front desk to check in.
Credit: Synergy Float Center
Arrange your lobby and entry in a way that guides visitors to the front desk easily. Your visitors should be able to come off the elevator, or through the door, and know exactly where they go to check-in. The lobby should be designed in a way to avoid as much confusion as possible. The easiest way to achieve this natural flow is to keep furniture out of the walking space. Your visitor shouldn’t weave through coffee tables and seating to get to the front desk.
Seating:
Seating in your lobby should be comfortable, durable, and clean. In an office with frequent visitors, it is imperative to choose seating that can be easily cleaned and maintained. Quality seating will improve the experience of your visitors. Consider residential-like furniture to bring a warmer feel to your office. You can learn more about adding a residential feel to the office in our latest blog post. By having designated seating areas in your lobby, your visitors will be able to sit comfortably and out of the way of the main flow of traffic.
We love the branding in this office! The logo behind the desk, but also the use of Pickware’s blue in the office, enough to make it memorable, but not too overwhelming.
Credit: Pickware
Branding:
Allow your office lobby to show your brand by displaying your office logo in the lobby. One of the most common ways to do this is to have your logo displayed on the wall behind the front desk. Take the design and branding to the next level by adding it to additional spaces, such as displaying company pens or business cards on the front desk, and incorporate your corporate colors into the flooring or walls. If your logo has bright colors, try not to overdo it by adding it to every element in the room. This can be portrayed as overwhelming and obnoxious. Tailor your lighting to the mood you want for your clients. Use as much natural lighting as possible; you can read more about lighting in this post.
Entertainment:
Keep in mind who might be waiting in your lobby. If children are in your lobby often, quiet toys and books are helpful to keep them entertained.
If there’s a longer wait time in your office, entertain your guests with magazines and TV. It might even be a good idea to offer a free connection to WI-FI so your clients can get work done while waiting.
We love that there is a space for children and children’s toys out of the way. They can play, out of the way, while waiting for the appointment.
Credit: Oak Mountain
Consider who will be visiting your office and tailor your lobby to them. Lobbies should feature how you represent your brand and be welcoming to your clients.
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