Visitors decide what they think of your company within a few steps of the front door. The reception desk and the chairs they wait in do a lot of that work. The good news is that commercial reception furniture is built for daily abuse, so used reception furniture in good condition can look polished for years while costing well under new pricing.
This page covers how to choose a pre-owned reception desk, how to plan lobby seating and what to inspect before you buy.
Choosing a reception desk
Common configurations
- Straight desk with transaction counter: the simplest option. Works in narrow lobbies and small suites.
- L-shape: adds a return for a second monitor, printer or check-in station.
- U-shape or curved station: the biggest presence and the most surface area. Needs a deeper lobby.
- Two-person station: a wider run with shared counter, for busy front desks or security check-in.
Heights that matter
A reception desk works on two levels. The receptionist sits at a standard work surface, usually around 29 to 30 inches. Visitors approach a raised transaction counter, often around 42 inches, which hides the monitor and paperwork. You also need an accessible portion of the counter at a lower height for visitors using wheelchairs. The 2010 ADA Standards set requirements for sales and service counters, so confirm your design against current ADA and local code before you buy.
Planning lobby seating
Seat count depends on how many visitors wait at once, not how many visit per day. A law office with scheduled appointments may need four chairs. A medical or service business with walk-ins may need many more. Watch your front door for a week and count the busiest moment.
- Lounge chairs: the most comfortable choice for longer waits. They take more floor space.
- Guest chairs with arms: compact and easy for visitors to get in and out of.
- Sofas and loveseats: look residential and welcoming, but people rarely sit next to strangers, so count them as fewer seats than their width suggests.
- Benches and beam seating: durable and space efficient for high-traffic lobbies.
- Occasional tables: a coffee table or end tables give guests a place for a bag or drink.
Keep a clear walking path from the entry to the reception counter. Seating should never force a visitor to walk through a group of waiting guests.
Placement tips
- Give the receptionist a view of the door. Angle the desk so staff can greet people as they enter without turning around.
- Separate waiting from check-in. Put seating far enough from the counter that guests are not overhearing private conversations.
- Keep the back wall simple. The wall behind the desk is where most visitors look first, so avoid cluttering it with open storage.
Browse pre-owned reception pieces
Upholstery for busy lobbies
Lobby seating gets more use by more people than any chair in the office. Choose surfaces with that in mind:
- Vinyl and polyurethane wipe clean and suit high-traffic or healthcare-adjacent lobbies.
- Leather reads upscale and ages well when maintained.
- Commercial fabric feels warmer but shows stains more. Darker or patterned fabric hides wear.
- Wood or metal arms resist wear better than upholstered arms, which fray at the front edge.
What to check before you buy
| Item | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction counter | Edge chips, scratches, lifting laminate | Visitors lean and set items here all day |
| Desk components | All panels, brackets and hardware present | Reception desks ship in pieces and missing connectors stall installation |
| Accessible counter | Included, or can be added to the configuration | Required under ADA and local code |
| Cable management | Grommets and wire channels intact | Cords in a lobby look messy and create trip hazards |
| Seating frames | Tight joints, no wobble, leg glides present | Loose frames get worse with heavy use |
| Upholstery | Seams, stains, seat front edge, foam support | Guests see and touch seats first |
| Quantity | Enough matching chairs for the full lobby | A mismatched set looks unplanned |
Condition grades for the front of house
Office Station grades pre-owned furniture as A like new, B very good or C good. In a lobby, put your best grade where visitors look: the counter face, the transaction top and the chairs closest to the entry. Back-of-desk storage and the receptionist's own task chair can often go a grade lower. For that chair, see pre-owned office chairs.
Office Station sells pre-owned designer furniture from manufacturers such as Herman Miller, Steelcase, Knoll, Haworth, Teknion, Allsteel, Kimball, AIS and Friant as an independent reseller, not an authorized dealer. Manufacturer warranties generally do not transfer to pre-owned furniture, and inventory changes, so ask about the configuration you need.
Updating the lobby during a move
A new lobby often comes with a new address. If you are relocating, corporate relocation services can coordinate the move, and office decommissioning handles clearing the old space, including an itemized inventory and a photo-documented broom-clean handback.
Frequently asked questions
What should a reception desk include?
A good reception desk has a work surface at desk height for the receptionist, a raised transaction counter for visitors, and storage or cable management hidden from view. It also needs an accessible counter section. Plan power and data locations before choosing a configuration.
Is used reception furniture durable enough for a busy lobby?
Commercial reception desks and lobby seating are built for heavy use, so well-kept pre-owned pieces usually hold up well. Focus your inspection on counter edges, seat front edges and chair frames, which take the most wear. Choose upholstery that is easy to clean if traffic is high.
Which condition grade should I choose for a lobby?
Because the lobby is a first impression, most businesses choose Grade A like new or Grade B very good for the reception desk and the seating guests use most. Grade C good can work for back-of-desk storage or pieces that are out of direct view.
Does pre-owned reception furniture come with a warranty?
Manufacturer warranties generally do not transfer to pre-owned furniture. Office Station is an independent reseller, not an authorized dealer. Ask about condition, missing parts and hardware before you order.
Can you help plan the lobby layout?
Yes. Space planning is free. Send the lobby dimensions, entry door locations and power and data locations to hello@officestation.com, and you can review a layout before choosing furniture.
