Designing A Professional Reception Space in 3 Easy Steps

The reception area is an important part of any business. This area typically gives visitors there first impression of your establishment and a professional look always helps. This article will highlight three simple steps that will have you're waiting area professionally designed with ease. By identifying the needs of your space, and finding quality products within budget, you to can be the office hero by creating an area to be proud of.

Step 1: The Reception Desk

With any furniture purchase the first step should always be to measure. Creating a detailed floor plan will minimize headaches down the road. That being said, the first step in creating your space should be locating affordable reception desks. The main piece of furniture in any waiting, reception, and lounge type are is the reception desk and that's why it should be first on your list. It sets the tone for your business atmosphere. Quality manufacturers like Mayline furniture, Cherryman Industries, and OFM, Inc. provide a host of viable solutions to meet the needs of any decor and space. Popular styles include rectangular, L Shaped, and curved reception desk solutions. Once you've identified the a desk within the required dimensions of your space, with the style you love, add it to your cart and continue on to step two.

Here are some popular solutions to consider when shopping for reception desks online.

Napoli Reception Station

Marque Reception Desk

Aberdeen Reception Desk

Step 2: The Reception Seating

Step two in our journey to the perfect reception space is the seating. Identifying the style of reception seating to meet your needs requires a bit of research. The good news is, the research involves shopping so it's actually kind of fun! Several styles of seating are available for visitor areas. Modern products like beam seating are popular in upscale spaces with contemporary style. Lounge furniture like sofas, love seats, and recliners are commonly used in areas built to accompany less visitors and provide a more homey atmosphere. Wood guest chairs are a typical choice for law offices and areas with a distinguished presence. Regardless of your choice, shopping around is always recommended. Find seating that will compliment your chosen desk and most importantly fit within the dimensions of your space.

Here are some commonly used reception seating styles.

Beam Seating

Lounge Furniture Sets

Wood Guest Chairs

Step 3: Accessorize

By accessorizing your reception space you will create an efficient and professional space that welcomes guests and keeps them comfortable. Products like reception tables provide the perfect place for your guests to set their drinks, laptop, magazine, and other items while waiting. They also promote the style of your space. Items like magazine racks and literature organizers keep pamphlets well displayed and provide additional visual aids to your area. Utilizing lamps and plants is another great way to accessorize. Lamps will help to save on power when compared to large overhead fluorescents. Plants will bring your space to life and offer a vibrant, calming tone. Regardless of the accessories you choose,  remembering the small details always makes the difference between a good space and a great one.

Here are some popular reception area accessories to consider.

Reception Tables

Literature Organizers

Bookcases

Hopefully you have found these three simple steps of value. Creating a space to be proud of can be simple if you do your research, measure properly, and stay within budget. Working with an interior design team might be a solution to consider along with a professional office furniture distribution firm. Review products online to find the best quality. Request coupons or bulk discounts from reception furniture companies for added savings, and always give a quick phone call to your manufacturer of choice. You'll be surprised by the knowledge and awesome products suggestions they will be able to inspire you with. Most importantly have fun and enjoy the process!

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Chic and unique gifts from some of my fav. online sources

I'm sure by now most of you have heard of flash sale sites.  I hate to admit that they consume about 15 of my precious minutes almost everyday.  The deals are too good to resist, especially if there is something you've been "needing," or if you have some gifts to check off your list.  Here are finds that would make great gifts this holiday season.

Adorable vases perfect for the person who loves nature but also a bit of the glamorous.
$19.99 at Ideeli

These hanging terrarium are too cute!
$21.99 at Ideeli

This beautiful watch from La Mer would delight young ladies in body and young ladies at heart.

$54.99 at Ideeli

How could a pair of ivory sequined pillows go unappreciated? So glam!
$85.90 at Joss and Main

Chic and unique - a croc embossed silver tray

$25.95 at Joss and Main

These vintage Stangl Pottery vases are authentic and would fit in seamlessly with today's love of metallic and metal decor. 

$149 at One Kings Lane

I know that if I bought this pouch for someone I'd end up keeping it for myself ;)

$16 at One Kings Lane

How cool are these stone magnets?!
$25 at One Kings Lane

Festive for the holidays, but this damask plate and bowl set would look fabulous all year long.
$29.90 at Rue La La

This cocktail ring is so stunning - love the colors!
$59.90 at Rue La La

Last but not least...cute and comfy slipper socks!

$45.00 at HauteLook

Where are your favorite places to find great holiday gifts?

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Business Office Furniture Basics when Shopping Online

When shopping for business office furniture, it's important to cover a few basic steps before pulling the trigger on a purchase. Covering your details from the start can save you time, money, and future headaches!

Measure twice and cut once as they say. This old adage is especially true in the office furniture world. Before you even begin shopping it is important to measure your space. A proper blue print, scale drawing, or space dimensions are the first essential step to cover. Guesstimations, approximations, and eyeballing methods just won't cut it. Take your time on this step to ensure accuracy and the rest of the process should go smoothly! Trust us when we say, this is the MOST important step.

Secondly, decide on a line that will match your current decor. Full service furniture manufacturers often offer cohesive collections that provide a looking of professionalism in the workplace. Mixing and matching products from different manufacturers often shows. That's not to say it can't work well, however utilizing a full service collection will ensure you have matching furniture throughout your home office or place of business. Meeting with a designer is always an option but can be expensive! Instead, speak with a professional furniture consultant and have them suggest quality lines, collections, and manufacturers to meet your specific needs.

What color should I go with? This is one of the most common questions in the industry. The simple solutions is to request FREE color swatches. Swatches can often be delivered quite quickly and will really help your decision making process. While most online dealers provide images of optional finishes and fabrics online, they tend to look slightly different in person. Unless you are in an extreme time crunch, requesting swatches is always an important step.

Our next basic principle is to allow for the necessary manufacturing time. Commonly, shoppers expect to have products ship within a day or two of order and wait until the last second to place an order. Witch some manufacturers this is perfectly fine. However, several of the hottest and most modern lines of office furniture are made to order. Lines like the new Zira Furniture collection from Global Total Office are totally customizable. They allow for you to specify nearly every aspect to ensure the perfect solutions for your individual needs. Don't get us wrong, there is nothing wrong with stocked furniture lines. However, if you are looking for super contemporary and cutting edge furniture for an entire building... plan ahead. Start shopping about two months before  you need your furniture. List your favorite three collections, get input, and make the best decision for you business. Using a plan ahead approach will guarantee you don't end up settling on your third favorite line of furniture!

Every little bit counts! Before purchasing your furniture, take the time to call the company you're buying from. Aside from ensuring they are a legitimate corporation, ask about monthly savings, coupons, and bulk discount opportunities. Do a quick search online for office furniture coupons. You might be surprised at just how much money you can save your business with a quick phone call to your dealer. OfficeFurnitureDeals.com offers bulk discounts and coupons on nearly every product we sell. The moral of the story is if you don't ask or search for savings you could be missing out! Make the quick phone call to your dealer and build a relationship based around savings, professionalism, and most importantly YOUR needs.

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