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How to Style Your Reception Area with a Sustainable Mindset
Julie Starr • January 24, 2023
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.
At the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos, leaders from around the globe convened to address pressing environmental challenges. The discussions underscored the urgency of climate action and highlighted innovative solutions to safeguard our planet. Effective communication plays a pivotal role in amplifying these efforts, ensuring that critical initiatives gain traction, engagement, and long-term support. Here are three key takeaways from Davos 2025 and the vital role of communications in advancing these initiatives: Launch of the Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor A landmark announcement was the creation of the Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor , aiming to restore and protect 540,000 km² of land across the Congo basin. This initiative not only seeks to conserve biodiversity but also to foster sustainable economic growth for local communities. The Role of Communications: Strategic storytelling can elevate awareness of the Green Corridor’s impact, ensuring that global audiences understand its significance. Media engagement and public relations efforts can generate widespread support from governments, NGOs, and investors. Thought leadership initiatives can position conservation experts as authorities, driving further collaboration and funding. Integration of Indigenous Knowledge in Climate Solutions Davos 2025 emphasized the importance of blending cutting-edge climate science with the wisdom of indigenous communities. This approach ensures that solutions are contextually relevant and culturally sensitive. The Role of Communications: Effective stakeholder engagement ensures that indigenous voices are heard and respected in global decision-making forums. Social media and digital storytelling can amplify the invaluable contributions of indigenous communities, fostering greater appreciation and inclusion in policy frameworks. Clear, accessible messaging can bridge gaps between scientific research, policymaking, and indigenous traditions, leading to more holistic climate solutions. Recognition of Groundbreaking Environmental Initiatives The inaugural Giving to Amplify Earth Action (GAEA) Awards at Davos honored five innovative projects advancing systemic transformations for people and the planet. The Role of Communications: Public relations efforts can shine a spotlight on award-winning initiatives, securing media coverage that attracts further investment and collaboration. Brand positioning and digital outreach can help environmental organizations establish credibility and thought leadership in sustainability. Social media engagement can rally communities around these initiatives, ensuring continued momentum and impact beyond Davos. In conclusion, the insights from Davos 2025 highlight a global commitment to environmental sustainability. Communications serve as a bridge between action and awareness, ensuring that transformative initiatives receive the recognition, resources, and engagement necessary to drive meaningful change. By strategically leveraging media, storytelling, and stakeholder engagement, we can amplify impact and accelerate progress toward a more sustainable future.
A shifting political landscape can create uncertainty for businesses committed to sustainability, but one thing remains clear: the need for transparency and strategic communication has never been greater. As the federal government moves to roll back environmental and social policies, companies must proactively define their sustainability strategies, ensuring stakeholders—employees, customers, investors, and partners—understand their commitments and the business value they create. The Power of Clear Communication Sustainability is not a trend; it’s an imperative driven by economic, environmental, and social realities. Despite policy shifts, the forces of market demand, global regulation, and risk mitigation continue to push companies forward. To maintain momentum, organizations should : Clarify Their Sustainability Position: Companies must articulate their approach in ways that resonate with stakeholders. Whether reducing emissions, improving supply chain resilience, or advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, leaders should communicate clearly how these strategies align with long-term business success. Leverage Data-Driven Insights: In an era of skepticism, relying on factual, measurable sustainability outcomes strengthens credibility. Stakeholders need more than broad commitments—they need clear, quantifiable impacts. Maintain Focus on Global Markets: While federal policies may change, international regulations and customer expectations continue to favor sustainable business models. Companies operating across borders must ensure their sustainability strategies align with evolving global standards. Staying the Course in a Changing Environment While some companies may feel pressure to scale back sustainability efforts in response to shifting political winds, leading organizations recognize that progress is a long-term game. Now is not the time to retreat but to double down on: Resilient Supply Chains: With new tariffs and policy changes affecting imports, companies should evaluate how sustainability-driven supply chain diversification can reduce risk and enhance efficiency. Operational Decarbonization: The financial and strategic benefits of decarbonization—from renewable energy investments to energy-efficient operations—remain strong, independent of policy shifts. Workforce and Customer Engagement: Employees and consumers increasingly expect businesses to uphold their values. Companies that maintain commitments to social responsibility and environmental impact will strengthen brand loyalty and attract top talent. Sustainability leadership is about more than responding to regulatory shifts—it’s about defining the future. Companies that stay the course, communicate effectively, and align their sustainability strategies with business objectives will be the ones that thrive in the years ahead.