DON’T FORGET THE WAITING AREA IN YOUR OFFICE DESIGN
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DON’T FORGET THE WAITING AREA IN YOUR OFFICE DESIGN

Vignette series by Teknion as featured on the Hatch blog: DON'T FORGET THE WAITING AREA IN YOUR OFFICE DESIGN

Vignette series by Teknion

As Interior Designers, we often find that little space or money are allocated to waiting areas in the space plans for office settings. Often, when budgets are tight, one of the first areas to suffer in commercial design projects include waiting areas. Makes sense right? Well, in our opinion, it doesn’t.


Waiting areas, which are part-in-parcel with receptions spaces, offer the first impression to clients visiting your business. While your customers sit in the waiting area, they keep themselves entertained by looking at your space often judging your business on what they see. First impressions are everything; they tell your client a lot about your business culture, and because of that, they should be given a lot of consideration in the Interior Design. Don’t believe me, check out Skype’s waiting area – says a lot about them, doesn’t it?

SkypeOffice designed by PS Arkitektur as featured on the Hatch blog: DON'T FORGET THE WAITING AREA IN YOUR OFFICE DESIGN

Skype Office Design by PS Arkitektur

The current trend in commercial design, is to incorporate “homey” elements to add warmth to a space. We agree; working towards a residential feel creates a comfortable environment for employees and visitors; however, it does require careful consideration as durability is always a requirement in commercial interior design. Always look for furniture products that have met BIFMA standards to ensure you’re purchasing a chair that will last for years to come. Interested in creating a residential feel? Built-in seating is always a great way to use space to it’s maximum, while creating a comfy seating area using different fabric textures, patterns, or colours. Check out this waiting area that incorporates the custom bench. Great isn’t it?

Interior by ZDS Architects as featured on the Hatch blog: DON'T FORGET THE WAITING AREA IN YOUR OFFICE DESIGN

Waiting Area by ZDS Architects

Sometimes you just don’t have the budget for built in seating or perhaps your client is considering moving in a short period of time. In those cases, flexible seating is ideal. For example, perhaps the seating is re-configurable, like the image below, or maybe it has a duel purpose with storage inside.

Teknion DNA as featured on the Hatch blog: DON'T FORGET THE WAITING AREA IN YOUR OFFICE DESIGN

DNA seating by Teknion

Sometimes an inspiring waiting area just needs a great chair, we’ve pulled out a few of our favourites in a range of prices:

Global Marche chair as featured on the Hatch blog: DON'T FORGET THE WAITING AREA IN YOUR OFFICE DESIGN

Marche Seating by Global

Haworth B Sit chair as featured on the Hatch blog: DON'T FORGET THE WAITING AREA IN YOUR OFFICE DESIGN

B-Sit by Haworth

Steelcase Capa chair as featured on the Hatch blog: DON'T FORGET THE WAITING AREA IN YOUR OFFICE DESIGN

Capa by Coalesse for Steelcase

Global ML Chairs as featured on the Hatch blog: DON'T FORGET THE WAITING AREA IN YOUR OFFICE DESIGN

ML Chair by Global

Steelcase Shell Chair as featured on the Hatch blog: DON'T FORGET THE WAITING AREA IN YOUR OFFICE DESIGN

Hans Wenger Shell Chair by Coalesse for Steelcase

» Looking to update the interior design of your waiting area or office space? Contact Hatch Interior Design located in Kelowna, British Columbia – Sustainable Interior Design Solutions for the Modern Workplace.