Office reception area furniture is one of the first things clients and customers see when they walk into your office. If your furniture is worn or ugly, it will leave a negative and lasting impression about your company as a whole. Don’t think you have to spend a lot of money on expensive reception furniture products, though. It is possible to get well-made products from reception furniture providers while still staying within your means. Manufacturers have the technology to make realistic wood laminate furniture that costs a fraction of the price of solid wood pieces.

Finding the right reception furniture for sale starts with deciding what type of furniture you are in the market for. Here are some suggestions:

1. Nail that first impression with stylish reception desk furniture.

2. Ensure their wait is as comfortable as possible with reception chairs and couches.

3. Display literature and plants on convenient reception area tables.

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Get off to a great start with nice-looking office furniture reception desks

The reception desk is often the first thing a client sees when they walk in the door. The price for this type of office reception furniture depends on the manufacturer, style and material as well as the size of the desk. Don't think you have to go over your budget by purchasing a pricey, solid wood reception desk. A laminate desk can be just as beautiful and cost considerably less.

I recommend: Office-Chairs-Discount.com has a large number of reception desks in a variety of materials and prices start at about $1,700 and go up to about $3,300. Receptiondesks.com has many unique, stylish reception desks to choose from. You are sure to impress everyone who walks in with one of these desks, that range in price from around $1,900 all the way up to $12,500.

Provide comfortable office reception furniture for your customers

Comfortable customers are happy customers. The trick is to find the right mix of style, professionalism and comfort, all the while staying within your means. An expensive price tag doesn't necessarily mean extreme comfort and vice versa. A well-made, middle-of-the-road reception room furniture set can keep your customers just as happy as an over-priced, fancy set. Purchasing a number of single chairs instead of a sofa can save money as well.

I recommend: Seating Zone has low-cost waiting and reception room chairs of all types and styles in prices that range from about $43 all the way up to around $2,000. Look on the 1 Office Furniture Mall website for a large selection of reception couches and chairs priced from about $230 up to around $700.

Set out beautiful tables with your reception office furniture

Whether it is a long rectangular table set in the middle of the room or smaller end tables, this type of reception area furniture is a great way to display reading materials, samples and plants or to give customers a place to fill out paperwork. Reception furniture providers typically carry tables made out of several different materials to give you a selection to choose from so you are sure to find one that meets your needs while allowing you to stay within your budget.

I recommend: Check out the Global Equipment Company website for reception room tables such as these that range in price from around $100 up to about $150 depending on the size, material and the number of tables ordered. AnytimeProducts has many reception tables to choose from at competitive prices including these Solid Hardwood Traditional Tables that range in price from around $150 up to about $200.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When you are looking into the pricing and costs of reception furniture, check out the prices of used reception furniture as well. Many large companies purchase new reception furniture often and sell their gently-used items for a fraction of the cost of what the pieces cost new.

The office reception furniture you choose for your reception area can help promote a positive image of you and your company. After all, people don't like to wait — but if they must, why not make them comfortable?

When selecting office reception furniture, think about:

1. Color and material of upholstered reception furniture.
2. Comfort of seating.
3. Construction and durability of reception room furniture.

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Select office reception furniture that is pleasing to the eye

Forget boring, standard reception area furniture. There are so many choices out there to make your reception area speak volumes about you and the way you care about your customers. Make sure to think about durability and colors of upholstered items when selecting reception office furniture.

I recommend: Take a look at the Lesro grouping of office reception furniture, with a loveseat, three-seat sofa, coffee and side table. National Business Furniture offers this contemporary grouping in six color choices and five wood choices. The Luxurious Leather Reception Set from Bizchair will leave a positive impression on your guests as they wait in your reception area. For busy offices, check out the Somerset Heavy Duty Reception/Waiting Room Series. This furniture is designed to handle 400 pounds so it is built to last.

Look for an office reception desk that shows you mean business

First impressions mean a lot. That's why a thoughtful reception area calls for a professional reception desk where your receptionist can keep your office neat and organized.

I recommend: The Legend Reception Desk from Everything Office Furniture in cherry works well in a contemporary or traditional office environment. The Fairmont Reception Desk by HBF offers clean lines in solid cherry or maple wood. This desk is available in rectangular or bow front.

Kiddies need office reception furniture, too

If children will be in your office, it's nice to provide a small table stocked with puzzles, books or small toys to help them pass the time. When considering your reception area furniture, carve out a little niche for the youngsters.

I recommend: Try the plastic activity table from Modern Office, with chairs in 10, 12 and 14 inch heights. Keep the kids happy with the brightly colored Children's Play Table and chair from GoodTime Medical.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Cleanliness is important. Be sure to clean up spills promptly in your reception area and on reception area furniture. An ugly stain on the upholstered sofa can leave a poor impression on your customers.

If you're opening an office, chances are you're in the market for reception office furniture. Since this is the first area a visitor sees, you'll want to pay particular attention to reception furniture types and styles. Whether you're dealing with new reception furniture providers or looking into used reception furniture, you'll find a wide selection.

From leather or fabric-covered armchairs and couches to tables and reception desks, reception furniture types and styles vary greatly. You also might accessorize office reception area furniture with coat racks, magazine racks and more. Consider the following before looking for office reception furniture:

1. Choose from a wide selection of chairs and couches when it comes to reception furniture types and styles.
2. Select from many different styles of office furniture reception desks.
3. Complete your office reception area furniture with various types of tables.
4. Add anything from magazine holders to coat racks to further enhance your office reception furniture.
   

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Seat your visitors in the best office reception furniture

Depending on the size of your reception area and your personal preference, you can seat visitors to your office in single chairs with or without arms, loveseats, sofas or couches. Seating for office reception furniture can be leather, vinyl or fabric with wooden or steel frames.

I recommend: BizChair has a huge selection of reception chairs, from single and grouped guest chairs in leather and colored fabrics to leather couches and armchairs. Find a long list of guest chairs with or without arms in a selection of fabric or leather choices, including some chairs featuring casters or gliders, at Beyond The Office Door.

Put your receptionist behind the right reception desk furniture

Since your visitors will first approach your receptionist, you want to choose carefully when it comes to reception desks. You can select mahogany or other wood designs, glass, acrylic, corner desks or many other types and styles.

I recommend: Find many modern styles and types of reception desks, from classy mahogany to lighted acrylic panels, at ReceptionDesks.com. One Workplace carries wood and glass reception desks of various heights and styles, including curved, sloped, semi-curved, semi-arc and other classic and modern designs.

Add end tables and coffee tables to complete your office reception area furniture

End tables and coffee tables allow for placement of magazines and lamps. You can match tables to chair frames or to reception desks. Choose from mahogany, cherry, oak or other woods, glass or wood topped with steel legs, and different shapes such as round, square, quarter-round, corner and other designs.

I recommend: One Way Furniture has end tables and coffee tables for reception areas, from cherry, oak or mahogany to upholstered block cubes. Hertz Furniture Systems has end tables and coffee tables in a variety of wood designs, glass-topped, steel-legged and more.

Accentuate your reception furniture with accessories

Add personal touch to your reception area with attractive accessories. Magazine racks, display cases, coat racks and other items can make your waiting area more inviting to clients and visitors.

I recommend: National Business Furniture has free-standing and wall-mounted magazine and brochure racks, coat racks and mirror-backed display cases. SeatingZone.com offers wall-mounted coat rack hooks, coat trees and wood magazine holders.

Whether you have a small reception area or a large waiting room that holds many customers or clients, it's important to have reception furniture that is functional and has a look that is in keeping with your business. There are several types of items often in reception areas, and knowing the terms that describe them will help you search for them.

If you have a small reception area, you may just need a display case and a floor mat. A larger reception area, especially one where people are waiting, might need reception benches, magazine racks and crowd-control posts.

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Reception bench

A reception bench is a piece of furniture designed for people sitting and waiting in a reception area or waiting room. Despite its name, many reception benches are actually several chairs attached together to form one long unit, rather than an actual bench.

I recommend: Look at examples of reception bench units at Factory Direct Import. The company sells other types of reception furniture as well.

Magazine rack

If your reception area is also a waiting room, you may want to have magazines available for those who are waiting. A magazine rack is a way to organize these magazines and keep them looking neat and easy to browse through.

I recommend: At Siegel Display Products, a division of EBSCO Industries, you can see several examples of attractive magazine racks in various styles, including free-standing and wall-mounted ones.

Display case

Display cases come in many shapes and sizes and are generally a case with shelves and protective glass or Plexiglas surrounding the outside. You can mount some on a wall, while others are free standing, allowing you to use them to display products or other items relating to your business.

I recommend: Browse through a variety of photos showing various styles of display cases suitable for an office reception area by visiting Modern Office.

Crowd-control posts or stanchions

If your reception area includes a place for customers wait their turn, you may need to use crowd-control posts, or stanchions, with rope or strap connections to help your customers see where to line up. These items have many options, including sign holders that help inform people on where to enter.

I recommend: Check out many crowd control options, including stanchions with rope connections available from CGEmarket.com.

Cigarette butt receptacle or ashtray

Many offices today are smoke-free. You need to provide smokers with a way to safely extinguish and dispose of their cigarettes. There are many options for cigarette butt receptacles or ashtrays that you can situate outside or in an entry area of an office.

I recommend: Take a look at many options for cigarette butt receptacles by visiting Global Equipment Company.

Floor mat

If your reception area is also an entryway from outside, you need a floor mat designed to soak up water and mud that might be on the feet of those entering your business.

I recommend: See examples of floor mats, many designed for entryways, at National Business Furniture.