Buying Guide · Gert Kantoor Meubels
Reception Desk Buying Guide
Reception is the one room every visitor sees, and the desk is its centrepiece. Choosing one is mostly a spatial problem — get the size and position right and almost any style works; get them wrong and the most beautiful counter in the catalogue becomes an obstacle. Work through this in order.
Measure before anything else
Sketch the reception area with the entrance, walkways and any waiting seating. The desk needs clear sightline to the door (the receptionist should see arrivals without craning), at least 1.2m of visitor space in front, and 1m of working space behind. In small practices that maths usually lands on a 1.2–1.6m straight unit; larger lobbies carry corner or L-shaped counters.
Counter height and the transaction ledge
A proper reception unit has two levels: the working desk surface (standard 750mm) and a raised transaction ledge around 1050–1100mm where visitors sign in and lean. The ledge also screens the working surface — the receptionist's paperwork, screen and coffee vanish from visitor view. Our Premium Grey reception desk is built exactly this way.
Storage where it works
Reception handles deliveries, visitor books, stationery and the printer nobody else wants. Concealed storage in or behind the counter keeps it invisible — a mobile pedestal under the desk plus one closed cupboard behind covers most front desks.
Matching the style to the business
Modern two-tone units suit tech, medical and contemporary offices; warm wood finishes (cherry, maple, oak) suit attorneys, accountants and established practices. Whatever you choose, carry it through: the waiting chairs and receptionist's own chair should agree with the counter, not argue with it. Budget-conscious? Our used reception counters in classic wood finishes are among the Gallery's best pieces.
Buy the room, not the desk
The efficient move is one order: counter, receptionist chair, three or four visitor chairs, maybe a coffee table — quoted together, delivered together, and the whole front of house done in a day. WhatsApp us your room dimensions and style preference and we'll put the package together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size reception desk for a small medical practice?
Usually a 1.2–1.6m straight unit with transaction ledge — enough working space for one receptionist while keeping the waiting area open. Send room dimensions and we'll confirm fit.
Do reception desks come with the raised counter?
Our purpose-built reception units do — desk surface plus raised transaction ledge. Standard desks can serve as reception in a pinch but lack the ledge and screening.
Can you deliver and place the desk?
Yes — delivery includes placement in the room. For estates and buildings with access control, mention it when ordering so we plan the delivery properly.