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Insight
Home Insights Reception areas: 9 design styles that make a lasting first impression
Your reception is the first glimpse people get of your brand, a space that speaks before anyone says a word. But creating a reception that is both welcoming and memorable takes more than a desk and some seating. In this insight, we explore nine design approaches that transform receptions into spaces that reflect personality, brand identity and style.
More receptions are taking their cues from boutique hotels, swapping corporate formality for warmth and atmosphere. Softer lighting, layered textures and lounge style furniture create a sense of intimacy and luxury. Visitors are encouraged to linger rather than pass through, immediately setting a premium tone. It’s a growing trend that reflects how workplaces are increasingly borrowing from hospitality to deliver a premium experience from the very first impression.
Minimalism in reception design is about creating space to breathe. With clean lines and a restrained palette, the focus shifts to a few carefully chosen features that make an impact - perhaps a piece of art, a sculptural desk or a play of light. It’s a style that speaks of clarity and quiet confidence and one that continues to resonate with brands who want their identity expressed in subtle, refined ways.
The risk is that the space can feel too stark if not balanced with warmth, but when done well, it leaves a lasting impression of sophistication.
Some receptions are designed to feel more like a living room than a lobby. Some borrow from the comforts of home, with softer seating, coffee tables and a more relaxed flow. The goal is informal but intentional: visitors feel like they’re being welcomed into a community rather than processed through a front desk. This approach is increasingly popular in sectors like education, coworking and start ups, where culture and belonging are central to the experience. It’s a reminder that first impressions aren’t always about grandeur - sometimes they’re about making people feel at home.
Some receptions feel like walking straight into the heart of a brand. The colours, textures and even the furniture choices tell a story, making the space feel unmistakably theirs. It might be a striking feature wall or more subtle design cues - either way, the reception becomes a statement of who you are and what you stand for.
This is a reception that thrives on colour and character. Bright palettes, bold artwork and unexpected design touches give the space a sense of energy and originality. It feels curated yet playful, more like stepping into a studio or gallery than a corporate lobby. For creative industries this style offers a chance to express personality while sparking curiosity.
A high tech reception makes an immediate impression of innovation and forward thinking. Sleek glass, digital displays, LED accents and touch free check in create a space that feels energetic and modern from the moment you arrive. It’s a style that suits fast moving organisations and tech forward brands, projecting confidence and a clear sense that this is a workplace built for the future.
A biophilic reception brings the outdoors in, using plants, natural finishes and organic shapes to create a calm, welcoming environment. Daylight and greenery work together to make visitors feel at ease while subtly re-energising employees. As businesses focus on wellbeing and ESG goals, biophilic receptions are becoming a visible statement of values, not just a design trend.
Natural light is one of the most powerful design tools and receptions with soaring atriums or glazed entrances make the most of it. These spaces feel expansive and uplifting, with daylight enhancing wellbeing and creating a positive first impression. The play of light and openness often becomes the centrepiece of the building, signalling transparency while setting the tone for the rest of the workplace.
Not every workplace chooses to anchor its entrance around a formal desk. The ‘anti-reception’ is about blurring the boundaries between front of house and the workplace itself. Instead of a traditional welcome point, visitors step directly into a collaborative environment - a café, a lounge or an open workspace. The effect is immediate transparency and connection, removing barriers and making visitors feel part of the action. Particularly popular with start ups and agile businesses looking to break from convention.
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