Buyer's Guide: Reception Desk

The reception desk is one of the most important parts of any office. It’s often the first thing a client or partner will see when they enter your office, so it’s important to make sure your reception area makes a good first impression! Here are some tips to help you pick a reception desk that represents your company in its best light.

what makes a reception desk?

When choosing a reception desk, it’s useful to understand what exactly makes up a reception desk. Generally, a reception desk is the desk located at the front of an office space where a number of matters are handled, including greeting customers, answering the telephone, and scheduling appointments. Depending on the size and function of your company, the exact make and model of your reception desk will vary. Nonetheless, many reception desks share these foundational components:

Transaction top: The transaction top, usually designed to be above the head height of the receptionist working, serves as the multi-purpose surface that facilitates any number of office-customer interaction, from signing documents to showcasing company pamphlets.
Modesty panel: The modesty panel of any reception desk usually extends all the way to the ground, ensuring the privacy of the employee working at the reception desk.
Storage: Depending on the specific needs of your office, your reception desk may or may not have storage; the ones that do have storage can have units in a variety of styles, from traditional storage cabinets to lateral file storing.
Return: L- and U-shaped reception desks will have a return, either on the left- or right-hand side of the desk. The return functions as an extension of the desk which the receptionist can use in a variety of manners, such as a space to sit face to face with a client or as an additional workspace. The side of the return will depend on personal preference and office layout.

Once again, the exact type of desk you purchase for your company will depend on a variety of factors, from the size of your office to the types of goods and services you offer. Here’s a peek into the wide range of reception desks that exist.

The spectrum of reception desks

Small companies:

If you’re a smaller company, it’s usually best to stick with a less expensive desk. These desks will most likely be made of laminate, and consist of a transaction top, reception shell, one or two lockable storage cabinets, and a right- or left-hand return, with the most economical reception desks having a high return. Less pricier desks are less customizable, but there is room for some changes in design, such as swapping out the laminate transaction top for one made of glass. We can help you find a desk within the price range of $700-1,000, and we’ll have it delivered and installed within two weeks.

Med-sized companies:

Reception desks for mid-sized companies will have all of the workings of a reception desk for a smaller company, with more options when it comes to customization, like laminate options that look like stone or wood. Additionally, they may have other features, like pigeonholes (small compartments used for storage) or a mailbox cubby. The desks we can help you find will range from $1,200-3,000, with a lead time of 4-6 weeks.

Large companies:

Larger companies will most likely have both the space and budget to truly tailor their reception desk to their office space. More often than not, the reception desk will be separated from the rest of the office building in the lobby area. With material options such as marble, wood, and stone, the design possibilities are plentiful when it comes to building the reception desk that emanates the energy of your company. These desks will range from $8,000-10,000+, and the lead time will vary, depending on the complexity of the desk build.

In conclusion

Ultimately, finding the reception desk that best suits your company depends on a multitude of factors that may seem daunting to think through. Not to worry, though! Here at Facility Solutions Plus, our team of experts can help you along every part of your reception desk journey, from figuring out the best sized desk given your office floor plan to installing the desk’s finishing touches. After all, the reception desk is the face of your company—we’ll make sure that your reception desk puts your company’s best face forward.

Facility Solutions Plus is a client-centered, full-service commercial office furniture dealership and service provider that specializes in meeting needs, solving problems and enhancing the total office environment through customized, cost-effective workspace solutions...and more.