How to Style Your Reception Area with a Sustainable Mindset
As people walk into your business, you want them to make a great first impression. The reception area of your businesses is where first impressions are made; given that, it’s important to place importance on the decor and the setting to ensure that these impressions communicate your business culture and values. Nice accessories, like carpets, paintings, and so forth, are nice, but don’t necessarily communicate the message you want to convey.
Sound can be an influential element that is often overlooked. You need to reflect the character of your organization which means that you need to look at the best waiting room music that suits your brand. Additionally, color can shape impressions as well. Designing your reception area around your company values with color may be applied in specific color hues versus solids. For example, if you are a casual company with a casual work environment, a solid black-and-white scheme would contrast against your culture. Instead, you need to design your reception area with elements that bring integration to the culture and to the aesthetics. Consider the following:
- Make the area welcoming and comfortable. If visitors enter your office and have to wait in the waiting area, provide a welcoming and comfortable seating area. Opt for furniture pieces that are relatable to your brand and pair with a sustainable mindset. Perhaps the chairs are re-used from another setting or the furniture is made of reclaimed wood and organic cushions. Of course, you don’t want your reception area of your professional business to look like a lounge, but the furniture can be stylish, acting as accent pieces to communicate your corporate values.
- Keep it calm. People should be able to walk into your business and feel calm from the moment they walk in. This means naturally inspired materials and Zen-style reception areas with minimal clutter. It’s a good approach for those who want to put visitors at ease, especially if you are at a doctor’s clinic or a spa. It can also be a great fit for an organization looking to promote their sustainability image. When it’s done right, with the right plants and the right colors, you can ensure that Zen-like aesthetic.
- If you are looking to highlight the fact that your business is prestigious, consider darker colors and metals. You don’t need access to a gilded gold framer framework, but you do need to think about styles that have beautiful accents, such as opulent bouquets from a niche florist or dramatic accents, if you really want to make an impression.
- Get your employees engaged. One of the best ways to decorate your reception area to make it more welcoming is to ask the professionals that actually work there. Ask them how they feel when they walk through it. If your employees aren’t feeling very inspired, then you can’t expect your clients or visitors to feel inspired, either.
A welcoming reception area sets the tone of your business. Be mindful in the design to leverage sound, color, and sustainably made items to support the message you aim to convey and to support the success of your business.

