Reception seating takes more daily wear than almost anything else in an office, yet the best commercial lobby chairs are built to handle it for years. That is what makes used reception seating such a practical buy. You get the frames, proportions and materials of major brands, and you pay less than new.
Office Station sells pre-owned reception and lounge seating as an independent reseller, not an authorized dealer. Every piece is condition graded, so you can put your best seats where clients look and save more on the seats they do not.
Types of reception seating
Most lobbies use a mix of the formats below. Availability of specific styles changes as inventory moves, so tell us what your room needs and we will match it to what is on hand.
| Seating type | What it is | Where it works |
|---|---|---|
| Guest and side chairs | Upright chairs, with or without arms, often on four legs or a sled base | Reception rows, private offices, interview rooms |
| Lounge chairs | Lower, deeper upholstered chairs for longer waits | Brand-forward lobbies and casual meeting corners |
| Sofas and loveseats | Multi-seat upholstered pieces | Larger lobbies, executive suites |
| Modular lounge | Sections that combine into different shapes | Open waiting areas and collaboration zones |
| Benches and ottomans | Backless seating that keeps sightlines open | Small lobbies, pass-through spaces |
| Beam or tandem seating | Connected seats on a shared frame | High-traffic waiting rooms where chairs should stay aligned |
Brands we carry
Office Station's pre-owned inventory includes furniture from Herman Miller, Steelcase, Knoll, Haworth, Humanscale, Teknion, Allsteel, Kimball, AIS and Friant. These manufacturers build seating for commercial use, with sturdy frames and replaceable wear points on many designs.
Because pre-owned stock comes from real offices, the exact models, fabrics and quantities on hand vary. If you have a brand or look in mind, share it along with a second choice. A flexible brief usually gets you a better result faster.
Condition grades
Every piece of used reception seating is assigned one of three grades.
| Grade | Condition | Suggested use |
|---|---|---|
| A | Like new | Main lobby seating in the first view, client and executive areas |
| B | Very good | Most corporate reception areas and conference lounges |
| C | Good | Internal waiting spots, training rooms, staff lounges |
Grading lets you spend where it shows. A lobby might use grade A lounge chairs up front and grade B guest chairs in a hallway waiting area around the corner.
What to check on used reception chairs
- Seat cushions. Press the front edge and center. Flattened foam shows first on the most-used seats.
- Arm caps and arms. Hands rest here all day. Look for scuffs, cracks or worn upholstery.
- Upholstery. Check seams, pilling and stains. Ask what the material is so you know how to clean it.
- Frame and joints. Rock the chair gently. It should feel solid with no wobble or creak.
- Glides and feet. Missing or worn glides can mark floors, and they are easy to overlook.
- Quantity and match. Confirm fabric and finish are consistent across the chairs you are buying together.
How many seats do you need?
Buying too many lobby chairs is one of the most common and expensive mistakes. Size your order by how many visitors are waiting at the same time, not by how many chairs fit along the wall.
- Find your busiest hour from calendars or visitor logs.
- Count the visits that overlap in that hour.
- Multiply by the average number of people who arrive per visit.
- Add one or two seats as a buffer for early arrivals.
Then plan the mix. A few upright chairs with arms help visitors who need support standing up, while a lounge grouping suits longer waits. Leave clear floor space for wheelchairs, strollers and bags, and keep the path from the door to the desk open. Accessibility and fire code clearances apply to your lobby, so confirm them with your building team.
Office Station offers free space planning. Send your floor plan and a sense of your visitor traffic, and you can see a seating count and layout before you commit to a purchase. That also makes it easier to match your order to the quantities actually in stock.
Pricing and delivery
Used reception seating is priced below new, with the exact price depending on brand, style, grade and quantity. Ask for a quote with your item list.
- Delivery in Greater Phoenix: $195 central, $295 metro
- Delivery elsewhere: freight quoted per project, nationwide
- Space planning: free, so you can confirm seat count and circulation before ordering
Planning a full lobby update, not just new chairs? The guide to re-envisioning your reception area walks through budget levels, zoning and pairing seating with tables.
Complete the space
Reception seating is often part of a bigger refresh. You can pair it with pre-owned office chairs for the offices behind the front desk, or browse the full range of pre-owned office furniture for conference rooms and workstations.
If you are moving out of an existing office at the same time, Office Station provides office furniture liquidation across its Southwest markets, with a written net offer based on resale value minus removal cost.
Average market rate Prices subject to availability and project pricing.
Frequently asked questions
What brands of used reception seating does Office Station sell?
Office Station sells pre-owned furniture from brands including Herman Miller, Steelcase, Knoll, Haworth, Humanscale, Teknion, Allsteel, Kimball, AIS and Friant. Specific reception and lounge models depend on current inventory, so ask what is available for your project.
Does used reception seating come with a warranty?
Office Station is an independent reseller, not an authorized dealer, and manufacturer warranties generally do not transfer to pre-owned furniture. That is why every piece carries a condition grade and why inspecting upholstery and frames is worthwhile.
What do the condition grades mean?
Grade A is like new, grade B is very good and grade C is good. For client-facing lobbies, grade A is usually the best fit. Grades B and C often suit interview rooms, internal waiting areas and break-out spaces.
Can I get matching reception chairs?
Often, but it depends on what is in stock. Pre-owned seating usually comes in lots from a single office, so matching quantities are more likely for common guest chair styles. If you need an exact count, share it early and consider a coordinated mix as a backup.
Do you deliver reception seating?
Greater Phoenix delivery is $195 central and $295 metro. Freight elsewhere nationwide is quoted per project. Contact Office Station with your address and item list for a quote.
Average market rate Prices subject to availability and project pricing.
