A reception desk is more than just a piece office furniture set in the entrance or waiting area of a business or office.

It is the place where first impressions are made of the business or office. It goes without saying that a smiling, friendly face in the front of a store or company goes a long way into establishing an atmosphere of the place. In the same manner, the reception area does the same. This area will be where clients first step into the work environment of the place of business. The immediate impact is that the clients first glimpse into the branding of the office or business. Their first impressions will be formed here. If the area is a stylish and professional with a reception desk as its centerpiece, then the impression will be a good one. However, if the area looks thrown together with random mismatched furniture with conflicting color palettes, then there is a significant chance that that first impression will be a negative one.

A reception desk serves as the central hub of an office or business for the client. A receptionist will receive guests, and direct them to the proper location within the office. Also the desk will be for receiving documents, shipments and other needs for the location. Having a well-functioning and stylish reception desk translates positively into the rest of the office. This area of the business or office truly does set the tone for all the other areas of the place.

Reception desks are manufactured in many styles, shapes, and finishes. Since this desk is such a vital part of the entire operation, variety is plentiful. Whether it is a modern, traditional, or contemporary style in any finish imaginable, there is a desk for every commercial or business setting. These desks can be as small as a writing desk with minimal counterspace and storage but can be as large as they are needed to be. There are many desk options for multiple receptionists for larger office settings. Of course, the size of the furniture will be limited by the available space, for these situations custom desks are a great alternative to premanufactured furniture.

The most popular material for a desk of this type is laminate. Laminate office furniture has become the most common furniture in America. Laminate has many benefits such as durability, versatility, and cost effectiveness. Laminate is strong and built to last with a high life expectancy. The most intricately designed reception desks are made of laminate, a curved top desk is a great example. Also, laminate is the material that offers the most cost savings due the way it is manufactured, shipped, and assembled on site. With so much variety in this particular type of commercial and business furniture, the price point will vary. There are many options to find an affordable desk, such as laminate, but also a lot of high-end custom options that can be quite costly.

Reception desks are commonly curved either at the counter or at an L shape intersection. The standard height for this style desk is thirty inches, while the most common length is six feet. For occasions where two receptionists will be working it is common to have up to a twelve-foot reception desk where two L shaped desks are set side by side to make a large greeting area. Also, frosted glass accessories are a great way to separate two closely working receptionists sharing a desk. Matching office furniture to complete your reception desk set could include overhead storage, lateral filing cabinets with hutches, storage cabinets and personal storage tower options.