Have you ever walked into a dentists office, looked at the office furniture in the waiting area, and wondered if you should pretend you are in the wrong place. I have either left or have wanted to leave offices of various types due to the lack of professionalism in the waiting area. If I see outdated office chairs in a psychiatrists office, I am going to assume their techniques and philosophies may also be outdated. On the other hand, if the doctor or lawyer has put time into making the waiting area nice, I will have more confidence in the service. This article will give three quick tips on how to use office furniture to your advantage as a business owner or if you have a private practice.
The first idea is to make your waiting or reception area user friendly. There should not be any confusion on where the customer should go as they step into your office. The furniture layout should be simple, and flow with what you want to happen. For example, if you want the person to walk to a check- in desk, there should be a clear path from the door to the desk. This desk should be pleasing to the eye, since this is the first piece of furniture your clients will see.
My next piece of advice as you for you is to make sure you have enough seating for your customers or patients. Not having enough office chairs will keep people from coming back. People are busy and tired; they either want to get some work done while they wait, or get a little rest while they wait. It is more beneficial to have a few more to ensure a comfortable atmosphere, than save a couple of dollars and irritate your customers.
My last tip is to make it stylish and comfortable. People like the extra comforts and appreciate waiting in a contemporary atmosphere. Choose a style that represents you and your interests. Tell the patient or client about your hobbies and interests by the art you choose. If you are a cowboy in your free time, you can choose brown leather chairs and rustic color desk. If you love the city, you could choose black chairs with silver arms. There is no right or wrong in decorating your office, simply choose furniture that reflects you.
If you are working from home, you should still strive to purchase home office furniture that reflects you and your business. It is time to create an office that invites your customers back instead of running them off.
Oct 08
