Small lobby, 2 to 3 waiting
Front Desk Essentials
$1,899.99per lobby
A reception desk with a transaction top, a task chair, two guest chairs and a coffee table.
Furnish a Reception Area or Lobby
The lobby is the first ten seconds of every visit. We put the desk where the door can see it, seat the peak crowd with room to spare, and specify fabrics that still look new after a year of coats and coffee.
42 intransaction top height
34 in x 36 inaccessible counter section
15 to 18 sq ftper waiting seat
peak x 1.5how many seats to plan
How We Plan Reception and Lobby
Rules of thumb from the projects we install every week. Every plan starts with a walkthrough or your floor plan, and you see the layout in 3D before anything is ordered.
Put the desk in the sightline
A visitor should see the receptionist from the door without turning. The desk faces the entry, with the seating to one side so waiting guests are not between the door and the desk.
Get the transaction height right
A 42-inch transaction top hides the monitor and paperwork. Every reception desk we specify includes a 34-inch section at least 36 inches wide so a visitor in a wheelchair can sign in at the counter.
Count the seats from the peak, not the average
Seat the busiest hour times 1.5, at 15 to 18 square feet per seat. Mix a loveseat with single chairs; most visitors will not share a sofa with a stranger. Add a bariatric-rated bench in healthcare and public settings.
Specify fabrics that survive
Lobby seating gets more wear than any chair in the building. We specify 100,000-plus double rub fabrics, wipeable vinyl or polyurethane for clinics, and power in the seating where people wait more than ten minutes.
Reception and Lobby Packages
Complete, priced and ready to add to a quote, from $1,899.99. Open any package to see the pieces inside; each one links to the item so you can swap it for something else.
Mid-size lobby, 5 to 6 waiting
Welcome Lobby
$4,699.99per lobby
An L-shaped reception desk with a transaction counter, a loveseat, two lounge chairs, a coffee table and an ottoman.
What is included (7 pieces)
Large lobby, 8 to 10 waiting
Executive Lobby
$7,309.99per lobby
A reception desk with return and glass top, two loveseats, two lounge chairs, tables and a bench for overflow.
What is included (10 pieces)
Clinic, agency or law office waiting area
Waiting Room for 8
$2,949.99per room
Six wipeable guest armchairs, a bariatric-rated bench, a coffee table and two end tables. Built to be cleaned daily.
What is included (10 pieces)
Package prices are furniture list prices before volume pricing, in the standard finishes. Delivery and installation in Central Ohio are quoted with your layout. Swap any piece for another from our 160+ lines and the price follows; on a tight budget we can blend in inspected, warrantied pre-owned pieces without changing the design.
Shop the Pieces Individually
Know exactly what you need? These are the item categories the packages above draw from.
Recent Projects
Central Ohio businesses we planned, furnished and installed. See all of our work →
Questions About Reception and Lobby
How much does a reception area cost to furnish?
A front desk with a chair, two guest chairs and a coffee table starts around $1,900 in furniture. A full lobby with an L-shaped desk, a loveseat, lounge chairs and tables runs $4,700 to $7,500. Custom millwork and branded desks are quoted per design.
Does the reception desk need to be ADA compliant?
Yes for any business open to the public. A 34-inch high section at least 36 inches wide, with knee clearance, is the standard; every desk we specify includes one or we tell you it does not.
How many chairs do I need in the waiting area?
Count visitors in your busiest hour and multiply by 1.5. A clinic that sees ten people at 9 AM wants fifteen seats; a law office that sees two wants a loveseat and two chairs.
What fabric should lobby seating be?
For offices, a contract fabric rated 100,000 double rubs or more. For healthcare and high-traffic public lobbies, wipeable vinyl or polyurethane with cleanable seams. We bring the samples to the walkthrough.
Can you match our brand colors?
Yes. Laminates, fabrics and the transaction top come in hundreds of standard options, and we build the desk front to carry your logo or a feature panel.
Tell Us About the Space
Send the headcount, the room dimensions and your timeline and we will come back with a layout, a specification and a real number within one business day. Or visit the showroom at 1517 Alum Industrial Dr N, Columbus, OH 43209, weekdays 9AM to 5PM.
Furnishing something else? Workstations Private Offices Conference and Training Break Rooms and Cafes A Whole Office