Reception chairs do a quiet but important job. They are the first place a client, candidate or patient sits, and they set the tone before anyone says hello. Used reception chairs from established commercial brands let you create a lobby that looks considered and holds up to daily traffic, at a price that makes sense for a room people spend a few minutes in.
Office Station sells pre-owned lobby seating recovered from corporate office liquidations. Each chair carries a condition grade, and delivery and setup are quoted together with your order so there are no surprises on install day.
Lobby seating styles compared
The right chair depends on how long guests wait, how many arrive at once and what the space needs to say about you.
| Style | Strengths | Watch out for | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lounge chairs | Comfortable, upscale, inviting for longer waits | Large footprint, harder for some guests to stand up from | Corporate lobbies, client suites |
| Guest side chairs with arms | Easy to sit in and rise from, compact | Can look plain in a large lobby | Medical, legal and professional offices |
| Armless side chairs | Space efficient, easy to line up | Less support for older guests | Small waiting areas, overflow seating |
| Benches | Seat several people in a small footprint | Strangers may avoid sitting next to each other | Entryways, short waits |
| Beam or modular seating | High capacity, tidy rows, tables can attach | Institutional look if not styled well | High-traffic waiting rooms |
Many lobbies work best with a mix: a pair of lounge chairs near the window for longer waits, and armed guest chairs close to the desk for quick check-ins.
Designer brands in pre-owned lobby seating
Inventory depends on what comes out of current projects, but pre-owned reception seating from brands like Herman Miller, Steelcase, Knoll, Haworth, Teknion, Allsteel, Kimball, AIS and Friant can turn up. Commercial-grade chairs from these manufacturers are built for heavy use, which is why they make sense to buy used.
Office Station is an independent reseller, not an authorized dealer for any of these brands. Manufacturer warranties generally do not transfer to pre-owned furniture, so the condition grade and your inspection are what count.
Condition grades for visible seating
Every guest sees your lobby chairs up close, so grade is worth thinking about.
- Grade A, like new. Minimal to no visible wear. The right call for primary lobby seating in client-facing businesses.
- Grade B, very good. Light, normal signs of use. Works well for secondary seating, break rooms that double as waiting space, and interior corridors.
- Grade C, good. Visible cosmetic wear with sound construction. Better suited to employee entrances, training rooms and staff areas than your front lobby.
What to check before you buy
Reception chairs wear differently than task chairs. There are no gas cylinders or tilt mechanisms, so focus on these points:
- Seat front edge. This is where upholstery wears first. Look for thinning, shine or splitting.
- Seams and piping. Check for loose stitching, especially on vinyl and leather.
- Arm caps and arm fronts. Hands rest here all day. Look for scratches, worn finish or loose caps.
- Frame joints. Sit, lean and shift. A good chair stays silent and solid.
- Glides and feet. Missing or worn glides scratch floors and make chairs rock.
- Cleanability. In medical or food-adjacent settings, confirm the upholstery can handle your cleaning routine.
- Matching. If you need a set, confirm color, finish and upholstery match across every chair.
Delivery and setup, bundled
Lobby seating often arrives in the same week as a move-in, a remodel or an office opening. Juggling a separate delivery company adds risk. We quote chairs, delivery and any setup together so you have one number and one schedule.
- Greater Phoenix delivery: $195 in the central zone, $295 across the metro.
- Elsewhere nationwide: freight quoted per project.
- Setup: if you want placement or assembly, ask and it will be quoted with your order.
- Lead time: in-stock pre-owned chairs can be ready in as little as 72 hours. Remanufactured items usually take 7 to 14 days.
Complete the reception area
Chairs are only part of the picture. Our used reception furniture page covers reception desks, tables and storage, along with free space planning to lay out the room. For the person working the front desk all day, choose a supportive task chair from our pre-owned office chairs rather than a lobby chair.
Furnishing more than the lobby? Explore the full range of pre-owned office furniture, or price out workstations with the cubicle quote builder.
Replacing lobby seating during a move?
If your company is relocating or closing an office, the chairs you already own may be worth money. Our office furniture liquidation service provides a written net offer, which is the resale value of your furniture minus removal cost. When that number is positive, you are paid.
See reception desks and tables
Questions about a specific chair? Email hello@officestation.com.
Average market rate Prices subject to availability and project pricing.
Frequently asked questions
What styles of used reception chairs are available?
Pre-owned lobby seating commonly includes lounge chairs, guest side chairs with or without arms, benches and modular or beam seating. What is available at any time depends on current office liquidation projects. Tell us your style, count and color range and we will tell you what we have.
Which upholstery is best for a busy lobby?
Vinyl, polyurethane and leather wipe clean easily and suit medical and high-traffic lobbies. Commercial fabric feels warmer and hides minor wear well. Whatever you choose, look at the condition of seams and seat fronts, which wear first.
Can delivery and setup be included in one quote?
Yes. We quote delivery and any setup together with your chairs so you have one number. In Greater Phoenix, delivery is $195 central and $295 metro, and freight elsewhere is quoted per project.
Do used reception chairs have a warranty?
Manufacturer warranties generally do not transfer to pre-owned furniture. Office Station is an independent reseller, not an authorized dealer for any brand. Each chair has an A, B or C grade so you know its condition before you buy.
How many reception chairs do I need?
Count the most visitors you expect waiting at the same time, then add one or two. Busy offices with appointment overlap, such as medical and legal practices, often need more seating than the average day suggests.
Average market rate Prices subject to availability and project pricing.
