Decorating Tips for Commercial Lobbies

While much thought and space planning goes into designing production and office spaces, how to decorate a commercial lobby area can be a major challenge for many businesses, especially if the area is large or has soaring ceilings. How a lobby is decorated is very important, however, and the task should not be approached as an afterthought. After all, the lobby is where first impressions of your company are formed by your customers who are the lifeblood of your business. Here are some design tips to help you create a lobby that welcomes customers and makes them want to do business with you.

Create a Comfortable Seating Area

In many cases a lobby also serves as a waiting room, and it’s important that customers feel comfortable and at ease while waiting. Comfortable upholstered chairs, such as club chairs, or sofas are popular choices, but be sure that there is adequate seating for the number of people who generally wait in your lobby at one time. Most people don’t feel comfortable being squeezed in between two strangers on a love seat or sofa. Make sure that there is adequate space for leg room as well as enough space to sit down and get up comfortably, as well as enough room to walk around the furniture. The seating depth of the furniture is important: Too shallow and it will be uncomfortable while seats that are too deep make it difficult to get up when seated. It is important also that the furniture is clean and free of lint, debris or odors. Have it cleaned regularly and replace it as soon as it starts to look worn or dirty. Medical offices often use non-upholstered seating that is easy to keep clean and germ-free, but this is not an appropriate option for most other types of business as it is too uncomfortable.

Simple, Tasteful Decor

If your lobby looks like it was decorated with hand-me-downs or bargains from last week’s garage sale, customers will feel as if you don’t value their business and they will likely opt to take it elsewhere. In addition to comfortable, tasteful seating, provide side tables and lamps that make it easy to read or work on a laptop while waiting. Lamps should be of the same design and size for even lighting throughout the space. Customers also appreciate guest WIFI services so they can keep up with their own business while waiting.

Keep window treatments simple and functional: the goal is to control glare, but avoid long drapes or draw cords that could cause a tripping hazard. Area rugs should also be avoided for the same reason. Choose large wall artwork that is tasteful and in scale to the size of the room and its walls. It is better to use one large metal wall decor, for example, than to hang a bunch of small items on the wall. A nature inspired motif, such as a Southwestern metal wall art of a desert landscape or simple tree of life wall art is better than hanging small, miscellaneous unrelated artworks or art with religious or political themes that could be a turnoff to some customers. Green plants and tables for magazines also add a welcoming touch to the lobby, and include some type of coat rack or wall racks for hanging outerwear.