Your office lobby isn’t just a room to pass through—it’s the space that will inform your guests’ first impressions about your business. Therefore, the design must be both inviting and impressively functional. From the office furniture to the lighting, use these three tips to develop your plans.

A Brief Guide to Designing a Comfortable Office Lobby

1. Avoid Crowded Layouts

When choosing furniture, make sure that there are several feet of space between each chair or sofa and at least 10 to 15 feet between every set of table and chairs. 

Unlike a restaurant, people in an office lobby will likely prefer to keep to themselves, not congregate with others. Therefore, spacious, plush armchairs are a more attractive option than the hard, minimalist chairs you might find huddled close in a cafe. This will allow clients to sit back, spread out their belongings, and wait to be called in comfort.

2. Make the Space Inviting

From the moment a client approaches the entry doors and glances through to your lobby, you want them to feel eager to come inside. Use a long rug to mark the path from the entrance to the front desk.

Make sure there’s no furniture within 20 feet of the door, and place seating areas against the perimeter of the room. This will draw customers further into the building, as well as leave enough space for employees in a rush to move quickly through this space to the elevators.

In seating areas, use plants, magazines, and decor items to encourage clients to take a seat and relax.

3. Use Lighting to Your Advantage

Set the mood of your office lobby with your lighting fixtures. While you might not want the dim, orange glow of a bar, it’s also preferable to stay away from the blue-white brightness of a dental office. For a formal, professional space, choose diffused overhead lighting with pure white bulbs. For a more intimate, casual office lobby, stick to floor and desk lamps with warm white bulbs, which illuminate separate seating areas on the outskirts of the room. 

To cultivate the perfect lobby atmosphere for your office building, head to Office Furniture Collection of Loveland and Erlanger, OH. They have a rich inventory of chairs, sofas, desks, and other essential pieces. Whether you’re designing a cozy co-working space or a polished, professional headquarters, you can turn to their design gurus for free and personalized recommendations. Learn more about this office furniture hub online today. You can also call the Loveland location at (513) 984-6620 or the Erlanger location at (859) 371-9920.