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EVERY DAY IS A BLACK FRIDAY HERE AT THE OFFICE CHAIR MAN
JUNE OFFER! Qty 1–5 5%, 6–10 10%, 11–15 15%,16–20 20%, 21+ 25% Saving.
A reception area shapes the first impression visitors receive when entering an office. Clients, partners, job candidates and delivery teams often spend their first moments in this space, so its appearance and comfort can influence how they perceive a business. A well designed reception area should look professional, feel welcoming and reflect the standards of the organisation.
At The Office Chair Man, we specialise in supplying refurbished and recycled office furniture that helps businesses create attractive workspaces without the cost of buying everything new. With more than 25 years of experience in refurbished office furniture, we have helped many organisations furnish reception areas with high quality seating and workplace furniture.
Refurbished furniture allows companies to create a professional and stylish reception space while making practical use of existing high quality office furniture. Many refurbished items come from leading manufacturers and are carefully checked before being supplied again.
This guide explains how to design a professional reception area using refurbished furniture, from selecting the right seating to planning the layout and choosing colours that support your brand.
Did you know? Many refurbished reception seating pieces originate from high quality commercial office environments and can continue serving workplaces for many years.
A reception area should combine practicality, comfort and visual consistency. Visitors should be able to understand where to go, feel comfortable while waiting and gain a clear sense of the organisation they are visiting.
A professional reception area is easy to navigate. Visitors should be able to identify the reception desk quickly and find seating without confusion.
A simple layout usually includes:
Keeping pathways clear also helps reception staff manage visitors more effectively.
Visitors may spend several minutes waiting for meetings or appointments. Seating should therefore be comfortable, supportive and arranged so that people can sit without feeling crowded.
Common seating options include:
Comfortable seating encourages visitors to relax while they wait.
A cluttered reception area can make an office appear disorganised. Storage solutions, well placed furniture and minimal decorative elements help create a clean environment.
The reception area can also reflect the company’s identity. Colour schemes, upholstery choices and furniture styles can subtly reinforce branding.
For example:
When the reception area reflects the wider office environment, visitors receive a consistent impression of the organisation.
Refurbished furniture has become a practical option for many businesses that want to furnish offices efficiently while maintaining quality.
Many office furniture manufacturers produce seating designed for long term commercial use. When these products are refurbished, they often retain their structural quality and comfort.
At The Office Chair Man we supply refurbished reception seating from recognised manufacturers such as:
These manufacturers are widely used in professional workplaces and their products are designed to withstand regular use.
Refurbished furniture should always be inspected before being supplied again. At The Office Chair Man, reception seating is checked before dispatch and many pieces are available in condition described as new.
This allows businesses to access high quality seating without purchasing brand new products.
In some cases seating can also be re-covered in a new fabric. This allows organisations to refresh the appearance of a chair or sofa while choosing colours that match their reception area design.
Benefits of fabric refurbishment include:
Reusing and refurbishing office furniture helps extend the lifespan of products that are designed to last for many years.
Instead of disposing of furniture prematurely, refurbishment allows it to continue serving another organisation. Many businesses now consider this approach when planning office furnishings.
Refurbished reception furniture therefore offers a combination of practicality, quality and flexibility for businesses that want to create professional reception spaces.
Designing a reception area usually begins by selecting the core furniture items that visitors will interact with.
Key types of reception seating include individual lounge chairs, reception sofas, benches, and modular seating. Reception seating forms the centre of the waiting area, where visitors may spend time before meetings, interviews or appointments, so seating should be comfortable and supportive. The choice of seating often depends on the size of the space and the style of the organisation. For smaller reception areas, two or three chairs arranged around a small table may be sufficient, while larger reception spaces may include multiple seating zones.
Office reception seating typically includes:
The choice of seating often depends on the size of the space and the style of the organisation.
For smaller reception areas, two or three chairs arranged around a small table may be sufficient. Larger reception spaces may include multiple seating zones.
When selecting a reception desk, businesses should consider its visibility from the entrance, workspace for reception staff, storage for documents and equipment, and cable management for computers and phones. The reception desk is often the focal point of the room, where visitors check in, speak with reception staff and receive directions. The desk should also match the overall style of the reception area.
When selecting a reception desk, businesses should consider:
The desk should also match the overall style of the reception area.
Coffee and side tables are important in a reception area because they provide practical surfaces for everyday items such as company brochures, magazines, visitor information, and refreshments. These tables also help structure seating arrangements and make waiting areas feel more organised.
Tables also help structure seating arrangements and make waiting areas feel more organised.
The following table shows how typical reception furniture elements can work together.
| Furniture Item | Purpose | Typical Placement |
| Reception Desk | Main contact point for visitors | Positioned near entrance |
| Reception Chairs | Seating for visitors waiting | Waiting area |
| Reception Sofa | Additional seating capacity | Along walls or central seating zone |
| Coffee Table | Surface for brochures and magazines | Between seating |
| Side Table | Extra surface for visitors | Next to chairs |
Choosing the right combination of furniture pieces helps ensure the reception area is practical as well as welcoming.
Planning the layout of a reception area is just as important as selecting the furniture itself.
Before purchasing any furniture, measure the available floor space. This allows you to determine how many seating pieces will fit comfortably within the room.
Key measurements include:
Accurate measurements help avoid overcrowding.
Visitors should be able to move through the reception area easily. Clear pathways between the entrance, reception desk and seating areas improve the overall flow of the space.
Good layout planning ensures:
Reception areas often work best when arrival and waiting zones are visually distinct.
For example:
This arrangement allows reception staff to assist visitors while maintaining a calm waiting area.
A common mistake in reception design is placing too much furniture in a limited space. Leaving open areas within the room can make the reception area feel more welcoming.
Some useful layout guidelines include:
A well planned layout helps the reception area function smoothly for both visitors and staff.
The style of furniture selected for a reception area contributes significantly to the atmosphere of the space.
Some businesses prefer a formal reception area that reflects a traditional professional environment.
Features of formal reception design may include:
This style is common in sectors such as legal services, finance and consulting.
Modern offices often prefer a more relaxed reception environment.
Characteristics of contemporary reception areas include:
This style can make the office feel more approachable.
Reception areas do not always need perfectly matching furniture. In some cases mixing chairs and sofas from the same general style can create a more comfortable and flexible waiting space.
For example:
Refurbished furniture can provide a wide range of styles because it often originates from different professional office environments.
Choosing pieces that share similar materials or colours helps maintain visual consistency across the reception area.
Colour plays an important role in shaping how a reception area feels.
Many organisations incorporate brand colours into their reception design. Upholstery and soft furnishings provide a simple way to achieve this.
Examples include:
Subtle colour choices often create the most professional result.
In some cases refurbished seating can be re-covered in new fabric. This option allows organisations to update the appearance of furniture while retaining the underlying structure of the piece.
Re-covering seating may allow businesses to:
A balanced colour scheme usually combines neutral base colours with smaller accents.
Typical combinations include:
Maintaining colour consistency throughout the reception area helps create a professional and cohesive appearance.
While the reception area is important, it should also connect visually with the rest of the office.
Visitors often move from reception into meeting rooms, workspaces or collaboration areas. Consistency across these spaces helps reinforce a professional environment.
Maintaining consistent furniture styles across the office helps create a cohesive appearance.
This may include:
Many organisations prefer to source furniture for multiple areas of the workplace at the same time.
At The Office Chair Man we supply a wide range of refurbished office furniture including:
Our services also include office interior design and installation support, helping businesses plan and furnish entire workplaces.
Designing reception areas alongside other office spaces ensures a more consistent and professional working environment.
Purchasing refurbished reception furniture involves several practical considerations.
Before purchasing refurbished furniture it is useful to understand how the items have been prepared.
Questions to consider include:
At The Office Chair Man, reception seating is checked before dispatch.
Furniture delivery and installation should be planned alongside the reception area design.
Factors to consider include:
Office furniture installation teams can assist with setting up workspaces efficiently.
Online refurbished furniture retailers allow businesses to browse a wide selection of office furniture without needing to visit a physical showroom.
At The Office Chair Man we operate as an online refurbished office furniture retailer, which allows us to focus on supplying high quality refurbished office furniture directly to businesses.
Benefits of online purchasing include:
Businesses can review available furniture, discuss requirements and arrange delivery without leaving the office.
This approach can simplify the process of sourcing reception furniture, particularly when furnishing multiple workspaces or planning larger office projects.
Online retailers also allow businesses to plan furniture purchases around their own schedules.
A well designed reception area creates a positive introduction to an organisation. Comfortable seating, clear layouts and thoughtful design choices all contribute to a professional first impression.
Refurbished furniture provides a practical way to furnish reception areas using high quality office seating and furniture that has been carefully prepared for continued use.
At The Office Chair Man we supply refurbished reception seating and office furniture to help businesses create welcoming and professional workspaces. By selecting the right furniture, planning the layout carefully and maintaining a consistent design style, organisations can create reception areas that reflect the standards of their business.
Shop reliable pre owned office furniture and create a functional workspace while staying within budget.
Refurbished furniture offers a cost-effective solution to furnish a professional reception area without compromising on quality or aesthetics. You can acquire high-end, commercial-grade pieces at a significantly lower price than new, allowing for a sophisticated look within a sensible budget.
Key pieces include a stylish reception desk that makes a strong first impression, comfortable and durable reception seating for visitors, and potentially coffee tables or accent pieces. Choosing quality refurbished items ensures both functionality and a professional appearance.
When sourcing refurbished furniture, prioritize reputable suppliers who specialize in commercial-grade brands like Herman Miller or Steelcase. These suppliers often inspect, clean, and repair items to ensure they are durable, ergonomic, and meet the high standards required for a professional office environment.
Opting for refurbished furniture significantly reduces waste by extending the lifespan of existing products, aligning with circular economy principles. This choice helps lower your company's carbon footprint and demonstrates a commitment to environmental responsibility, enhancing your ESG profile.
