Great lobby design is more than just a pretty entrance or a nice waiting area. It’s about creating an engaging atmosphere that makes visitors feel welcome and comfortable, which hopefully leads to them coming back again soon. Lobbies are often the first thing guests see when they enter your building, so it’s important they have a great first impression. Great lobby design has five essential aspects that you need to know if you want to create an inviting atmosphere for your visitors. Keep reading to discover more!
What Does Great Lobby Design Consist of?
The best lobby design is one that is well-rounded. To achieve this, you need to consider your brand and the target audience, as well as the different functions your lobby serves. Here are the key aspects of great lobby design:
Lighting is Key
You may be surprised to learn that a majority of complaints made by customers are related to lighting — and lobby lighting in particular. If your lobby is too dark, or if it doesn’t receive enough natural light, it could be negatively affecting the experience of your visitors. Luckily, there are various ways you can address this issue. Add more or brighter lights, or look at installing lights that help to distribute light more evenly. You can also consider adding skylights or other architectural features that let in more natural light. Lighting is a crucial aspect of lobby design because it plays a major role in setting the tone of the space. It can also affect the way you’re perceived by customers — for example, bright lights make people feel more alert and energized, which is great for fast-paced industries like healthcare and law.
Make it Comfortable
Your lobby is a space where people need to feel relaxed, so you need to think about how you can make them feel as comfortable as possible. – Evaluate the flooring, seating, and lighting, as these are all factors that affect the overall comfort in your lobby. Choose materials that are easy to clean, and that is soft on the skin. – It’s also important to think about the layout of your lobby. If there are too many obstacles, like columns or shelves, it can make the space feel cluttered. – The best way to avoid this is by using clear pathways to guide people through your lobby, and by placing your reception desk in an area where it isn’t blocking the path.
Showcase Your Brand
If you’re designing a new lobby or renovating an existing one, this is the perfect opportunity to showcase your brand. This includes everything from your logo and signage to the furniture and materials you use. – If you’re working with a designer, make sure you have a clear idea of what you want your lobby to look like. This will help to streamline the design process and make sure you end up with the lobby you want. – If you’re designing your lobby in-house, make sure you have the resources and inspiration you need to create something that will showcase your brand.
Be welcoming with clear signage
Visitors need to know where to go, and where not to go. This means having clear directional signage, as well as signage that provides information about your space, like hours of operation or the types of services you offer. – Tactile signage is also a great idea, which includes things like braille, large letters, or colored tiles. It’s also important to make sure that the signage you have is clean and in good condition so that people can easily read it.
Flooring
The flooring you choose for your lobby is another aspect that can either make or break your lobby design. Choose a material that is suitable for the type of foot traffic that passes through your space.
Bottom line
Lobbies are the first thing people see when they enter your building, so it’s important that they feel welcome and comfortable. Great lobby design has five key aspects, including branding, lighting, seating, comfort, and signage. When you consider all of these things, it will help you create an engaging atmosphere that makes people want to stay and explore your brand further. If you think it is time to remodel your lobby, or build a new location, contact Michael Walker Construction today!