Guests form their first impression of your business in lobbies and waiting rooms. In these areas, your guests and customers will be greeted by members of your staff and form impressions about the overall value and professionalism of the services they offer. Guests may also wait for check-in or seating while seated in lobbies, which means that these spaces are particularly important. Skimping on aesthetics or comfort in the lobby will make a bad impression, which can, in turn, be reflected in bad reviews and in declining business.
The Importance of a Well-Appointed Lobby
Whether your property is decorated as an old western saloon or a glitzy five-star hotel, guests all expect similar things from the lobby. Guests want a welcoming environment, places to sit and wait, and efficient service.
A central information desk is crucial so that guests can immediately know where to access information, ask questions, and get assistance with any issues or inquiries. Courteous employees play a key role in creating a welcoming and positive atmosphere, providing friendly assistance, and ensuring guests feel valued and well taken care of.
Original art or artistic installations can enhance the grandeur of the lobby. Indoor water features, plants, and views of the outdoors can add elements of nature to the lobby or waiting area.
Practical touches are also important when considering how to design a lobby. For example, it’s important to have luggage carts on hand if your property is large enough to require such conveniences. Offering seasonal drinks in a hotel lobby is also appreciated. You could provide coffee, tea, water, hot chocolate, or other snacks to show guests that you care about them individually. Drinks and snacks can help guests have a pleasant experience while waiting or passing through your lobby.
Top Hotel Lobby Seating Options
In a hotel lobby, guests appreciate having comfortable seating to relax and wait comfortably. Hotel lobby seating could be chairs, benches, or couches.
Hotel Lobby Styles
Your business can make a good impression on customers by when your lobby is a stylish and comfortable space. Lighting, window treatments, flooring, and furniture all contribute to the overall mood of a room. In settings like hotels, restaurants, and resorts, the chairs in a lobby can greatly impact people’s first impressions of your business.
Many commercial furniture styles work well in lobbies, foyers, and other waiting areas. Three popular styles to consider are: Modern, Traditional, and Mid Century Modern. Most decorators recommend selecting furniture, lighting, textiles, and accessories that are all within the same design family.
Types of Chairs for a Hotel Lobby
When selecting commercial chairs for a lobby, it is essential to look for chairs that are not only comfortable but also durable and easy to maintain. Chairs with cushioned seats and backrests can provide guests with the comfort they need while they wait. Additionally, chairs with armrests can offer extra support and comfort for guests during longer waiting times.
It is essential to look for chairs that are not only comfortable but also durable and easy to maintain.
In terms of style, it’s important to choose chairs that complement the overall aesthetic of the space. Chairs with sleek and modern designs can elevate the look of a modern lobby or waiting room, while classical styles will be better for traditional lobby designs. Ensure that there is ample lighting for guests who wish to sit and read, and device charging areas so that guests can sit and charge devices while waiting.
Let’s take a look at different kinds of chairs for lobbies.
Chaises d'appoint
A side chair is a chair without armrests that provides seating in a lobby, reception area, dining room, or other commercial space. Since side chairs don’t have armrests, they don’t take as much space as armchairs. Typically, side chair is a term that applies to wood chairs, but some people use the term more broadly to include metal or even plastic-framed chairs. Note that guests who have a difficult time standing and sitting will be more comfortable in a sturdy armchair since armrests provide support.
Popular Side Chairs for Hotel Lobbies
Fauteuils
There are thousands of styles of armchairs, but all have one thing in common: armrests. Chairs with armrests are the most comfortable kinds of chairs, as they support the body and minimize fatigue while sitting. Armrests can also give guests an increased sense of privacy and personal space, which is often lacking in hotel lobbies and waiting rooms. Fauteuils are more comfortable than armless chairs and are easier to get into and out of for individuals with mobility issues.
Popular Armchairs for Hotel Lobbies
Wooden Benches
Hardwood benches can be enduringly stylish—and also highly practical. Wood benches seat several people in a small amount of space, plus they look cozy and inviting. Real hardwood benches are also very durable.
Popular Benches for Hotel Lobbies
Wood benches can be made of soft woods like pine or maple, or from hardwoods like beech or oak. Softwood is more susceptible to scratches, dents, and breaks than hardwood, and while it can be beautiful, softwood furniture is not as durable in a commercial setting as hardwood chairs and benches. All Holsag by MityLite wood benches are made from genuine hardwood (European Beechwood) for unrivaled durability and lasting beauty.
Metal-framed Chairs
Chairs built with a metal frame often feature seats and backrests made with different materials since solid metal is hard and unyielding and can be uncomfortable to the touch in warm or cool environments. Holsag by MityLite builds several chairs with metal frames that feature a faux wood finish and cushioned and upholstered seats.
Popular Metal-Framed Chairs for Hotel Lobbies
These faux wood chairs look like traditional wooden lobby chairs, but since the chair frames are made of powder-coated aluminum, they are more resistant to moisture damage and are easier to sanitize and keep clean than wooden chairs. Metal-framed, upholstered chairs are desirable in medical facilities, dining areas, hotel lobbies, universities, and other public places with waiting rooms.
Start Designing
When your lobby is visually appealing and reflective of your hotel’s brand and style, it becomes a place where guests want to spend time. Ideally, the lobby is a space where guests can gather, check in, meet with others, or simply unwind after a long day of travel. It serves as a hub of activity and should be well-designed to enhance the overall guest experience. When you provide comfortable seating, cleanliness, and a pleasant atmosphere in your lobby, your guests will have the best chance of forming a positive impression of your property.
