The reception area of an office is key to making the best first impression. This space can amplify your brand and culture with sleek design and functionality. For front desk staff, the right-standing reception counter can make their job much more efficient. Standing reception counters can help create more efficient organization and work systems for staff with functional additions and designs.
ABE office furniture experts can help you discover the best-standing reception counter for your office by balancing our expert solutions with your unique aesthetic requirements. Our customization options allow us to match your office branding and design to your new reception desk, making our solution the perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics.
Determining Standing Height: Reception Desk
The main challenge of investing in a reception counter for your office is determining the best height. This may be tricky because your staff will have unique body measurements that affect their functionality using your new solution. Similarly, that does not consider the visitors you have constantly coming in and out of our office.
A good starting point for determining the best height for your counter is to explore its purpose. Is your standing reception counter going to be used primarily as a transaction counter? If so, you will want to ensure that it is comfortable and tall enough for visitors to complete their transactions comfortably.
Similarly, different industries can affect one’s experience at the reception counter. For example, if you work in healthcare, you may have patients unable to stand for various reasons (mobility, illness, procedures, etc.). In this scenario, it might be better to invest in more flexible counter space so staff and visitors can properly complete transactions and other essential paperwork.
ABE furniture experts offer complimentary design and consultation services. The team can take a complete inventory of your reception area and offer customizable solutions to strengthen it. We can even add a diverse mix of other office solutions, like waiting room chairs and storage solutions, to help emphasize the functionality and design of your reception counter.
Standing vs. Sitting: Which is Better?
Although we are focusing on standing reception counters today, it is important to mention their counterparts. “Sitting” reception desks are another popular option in offices globally. For “sitting” reception desks, the counters tend to be much lower at the seat level. Unless a platform or riser elevates the seating to standing level with the visitor, visitors will most likely need to bend to complete any essential paperwork. For specific industries and offices, this method works.
However, sitting at counters may have health risks that standing at desks may otherwise mitigate. For example, sitting for prolonged periods of time has been associated with an increased risk of a variety of illnesses and injuries, including:
- Back pain
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
Investing in a standing counter can mitigate these risks for offices seeking better overall employee well-being, as standing helps support proper spine alignment and prevention of various diseases. Still, these types of counters can be a slippery slope, as they require staff to be on their feet for extended periods, which is not always feasible nor accessible for all employees.
What About a Diverse Mix of Both?
Office furniture has made huge innovative strides in making furniture more accessible to a variety of body measurements. To get the best return on your investment, why not invest in a mix of standing and sitting counters? We are not saying to invest in multiple reception desks; instead, we are encouraging exploration of some newer options that can suffice both needs.
For example, adjustable desks have become an extremely popular desk solution in both home and business offices alike. Investing in one of these desks in your reception area offers better flexibility and control for the user using the desk. With these desks, your staff can easily switch between sitting and standing, making it the most flexible option.
ABE is here to support your long-term goals, and we take your satisfaction with our innovative solutions very seriously. To stay updated on the latest industry news and trends in office furniture, follow ABE on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook today.