A lobby is the one room every guest sees before they form an opinion of your company. Yet in many fit-out projects it is planned last — whatever space is left after desks and meeting rooms are assigned. The classic complaints follow: waiting chairs crammed together, guests standing because there is nowhere to sit, or a coffee table so far from the sofa that guests must stand up to reach their cup.
This guide sets out how to plan an office lobby and waiting area in practice: zoning, furniture sizes, minimum circulation clearances and materials that survive a public area every day. The figures below are planning guidance based on the products we manufacture and the projects we ship.
Quick Reference: Lobby Layout Numbers
| Element | Size / clearance | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Reception zone | 2.4–3.6 m counter width | 1,000–1,100 mm high for standing staff |
| Counter to waiting seats | 1.8–2.5 m | Keeps guest conversations private |
| Guest seating zone | 2.0–2.5 m² per person | Includes sofa, coffee table, circulation |
| Coffee table height | 400–450 mm | Proportional to a 420–450 mm sofa seat height |
| Sofa to coffee table | 350–450 mm | Comfortable reach without leaning forward |
| Main corridor | minimum 1,200 mm | Two people passing, or one trolley |
| Secondary aisle | 900–1,000 mm | Between seating row and wall |
| Display / locker zone | 0.5–1.0 m² per daily visitor | Includes catalogue rack and umbrella stand |
For a lobby with 4–8 guest seats, a comfortable waiting area is typically 10–18 m² — separate from the reception counter itself.
Splitting the Lobby Into Three Zones
Zone 1 — Reception and first impression
This zone sets the first sightline. Place the counter so staff can see the entrance without standing up, at 1,000–1,100 mm on the guest side for a formal feel, or 750 mm for a more open, welcoming look. The logo panel on the counter front is the cheapest branding surface in the whole office: one curved panel carries your logo without touching the building structure.
Zone 2 — Seating and waiting
This is the zone most often mis-sized. Rule of thumb: each waiting chair needs about 600 mm of width, and each coffee table serves 2–4 seats. A three-seat sofa with one coffee table in front uses roughly 4–5 m² including circulation.
Zone 3 — Display, catalogues and storage
A catalogue rack or product vitrine beside the lobby fills guests' waiting time while showing your range. Use 300–400 mm deep shelving — enough for A4 catalogues and binders without eating into the corridor.
Choosing Furniture for Each Zone
Coffee tables: height decides everything
A coffee table that is too tall makes guests lift their cups as if at a desk; one that is too low forces them to bend down. The ideal range is 400–450 mm, and it must always be matched to the seat height of the sofa you choose.
For a lobby with several seating clusters, repeat one coffee table size to keep the look tidy — for example the 1200×600×450 mm coffee and tea table BG-2502NT, available in six finishes so the guest area, executive work room and lounge can share one model with a different feel. For a more formal executive guest room, BG-2568T in black oak gives a firmer look. A full comparison of coffee table types is in the coffee table buying guide.
Reception desks: width is not the only dimension
A reception counter must satisfy three things at once: how many staff stand behind it, whether guests sign documents at the counter, and whether hidden working space is needed for a monitor and printer. Sizing and configuration are covered in our guide to reception desk sizes and design, while model selection is in the reception desk buying guide.
Chairs and sofas: a realistic count
Provide one waiting seat for every 8–10 employees on the floor, rounded up, with a minimum of four. Offices that regularly host groups are better served by adding one three-seat sofa instead of five individual chairs — similar area, far more spacious feel.
Materials for a Public Area in a Tropical Climate
Lobby furniture is used unsupervised and touched far more often than office desks. Three things decide how long it lasts:
- Melamine panels with full PVC edge banding. High humidity makes boards absorb moisture through unprotected edges; full banding keeps panels dimensionally stable.
- Powder-coated steel frames. This surface resists scratches from bags and trolleys and simply wipes clean, with no repainting like bare steel.
- Stain-resistant surfaces. Coffee and tea are the most common marks in a waiting area — a stain-resistant melamine surface cuts daily cleaning work.
Our full range for humid climates is covered in the article on moisture-resistant office furniture.
Office Lobby Checklist
- Can reception staff see the entrance without standing up?
- Is there a 1,200 mm path from the door to the lift that avoids the seating area?
- Has the coffee table height been matched to the sofa seat height?
- Is there seating for guests arriving in pairs or threes?
- Does the counter have hidden working space for monitor, printer and files?
- Is the catalogue rack deep enough for A4 binders without intruding into the corridor?
- Are power sockets available in the seating area for guests charging devices?
- Are materials stain-resistant and easy to clean for daily use?
Office Waiting Area FAQ
How many waiting seats should we provide?
One seat for every 8–10 employees, with a minimum of four. If the office frequently receives vendors or client groups, add a three-seat sofa with one coffee table in front.
Must the coffee table match the sofa as a set?
Not strictly, but height and colour should harmonise. A 400–450 mm coffee table suits almost all standard lounge sofas, so one model can be repeated across several seating clusters in the same lobby.
How do we lay out a narrow lobby?
Use individual chairs grouped together rather than one long sofa, choose open-leg coffee tables so the floor stays visible, and hang catalogue storage on the wall. More principles for tight spaces are in optimising small office space.
Planning the Lobby Together With the Factory
Once zoning and sizes are clear, the next step is matching them to furniture that actually exists. Send your lobby plan or measurements through the contact page, or browse the reception desk and coffee table categories — the BG Office Furniture team will assemble a model mix, unit count and mixed container plan that fits your area and budget.