Check out the new sofa and club chair in our line, the "Retro" series!

Click here for the club chair and here for the oversized 2 seat sofa!!

Special pricing and free freight to your dock!!

Today I visited a prospective designer client's office.  Their reception area was not especially large, perhaps just about 10'x17'.  Of that space, about 7 feet were used for their reception desk.  In this case, a built-in with radiused glass counter top.

Seating consisted of 2 club chairs and 1 2-seat sofa, all covered in a rich bronze fabric with contrasting throw pillows.  It really was very elegant, but not opulent.

Keep in mind, this client is a designer, and has an expectation of creating a "look" for their clients. 

You don't have to spend $100/yard on the fabric to make the right, professional, welcoming impression.  It is necessary though, the think about the statement you are making.  Whether you are setting up an income tax preparation office or a very high end law firm or a medical practice planning the right choices makes all the difference. 

A very basic chair (click here) in the right environment can work very well. But you may also want to step up and go for a more upscale look like this.

Is your office one where children visit? If so, check into this link!

This is a question you MUST ask yourself.  First impressions are vital.  Of course, you can always overcome a poor impression, but why not plan a little and make the impact you want in the first place?

There are a number of areas of importance in the lobby.  Some are more instantly visible than others.  Of course, the reception desk and seating are critical to this impression.

Appealing artwork can offer a welcome and allow a visual break.  The client can relax, or ponder the item in front of them while they are waiting.  Click this link and find an incredible selection of images, frames, mattes all of which you can specify (and see in real time), order and have delivered all from this great site!  Use the code "DOFFCA3".

Enjoy the visit!

How important is your reception area?  And what do you want it to say about your organization? Professional? Warm? Welcoming?

These are decisions that you can make.  The way you lay out and furnish or appoint your lobby area will go a long way toward sending this message to your visitor.

The size of the area should be adequate for the number of people who visit, but good planning more than size or spending a lot will communicate the correct message.

Balancing cost with the styling can give you a great result. Click here for one of our new ideas, the Denise horseshoe reception station.  Done in a vareity of laminate finishes it can offer many different looks at a very affordable investment!

June is upon us.  The year is nearly 1/2 gone.  Are you on track to accomplish the goals you set for yourself and the company? 

The great thing about June is ONLY 1/2 of the year is gone.  We still have time to make mid-course corrections and meet our goals. 

One area where we can control the image others have of us is in the reception area of the office.  Is it sending the message you wish to communicate?  If it isn't consider making some changes. 

You can simply repaint the walls to brighten the room.  If cost is an issue, by heading to the local home center and doing the work youself on a weekend, you and update the feel of the entire office.

Changing the seating can help as well. There are some very affordable options to spice up the area. Click here to see just one. 

How are your office ergonomics?  Is the workplace as safe as it should be?  Click here to visit an outstanding ergonomic product site.

How do you present yourself in your reception area?

www.dictionary.com defines "reception" as "the act of receiving or the state of being received". 

We all want to be welcomed and "received", don't we?  A comfortable environment that fits your office.  Sometimes this means glass and steel or polished aluminum, sometimes traditional tapestry and button tufted leather.  It's really all about your style and the message you want to deliver.

If you are in a situation where families visit your office, you'll want to check out http://waitingroomtoys.indoff.com.  A great resource for keeping the kids entertained.

It seems like every day there are new and better products and ways of doing business.  This blog is one example.  Ten years ago, blogging didn't exist and look where it is today!

Some things though, don't really change.  When we have a visitor in our offices, we want to present the right image.  The right mix of casegoods, wall coverings, floor coverings, soft seating and art allow us to say many things without speaking. 

As always, we want to keep you up to date with the very best for your reception area.

We have added the Corsica Series reception station.  Click here to see it!

Having a new option for your office is always interesting and fun, not to mention productive!

Click here to check out our new Corsica line of occasional tables!

                                                        Does your reception area tell your visitor who you are?  Do they feel you are a competent, professional organization based on what they see? 

There are many ways to communicate, and one of the best is using a clean, professional reception station.  It's the first thing the visitor sees, and the last item they pass when leaving.

Are you sending the right message?

How have you planned your reception area?  Does is invite opening the door?

Have you used the space effectively?  This means allowing adequate seating as well as enough space for movement inside the area.  Do your clients trip over the coffee table?  That was funny 40 years ago on an old television show, but not so much anymore.

Space planning need not be overly complicated, but it is important.

Click here to get an idea of how this can be done well.