The reception desk is the first piece of furniture most visitors see, and the one your front-of-house team uses all day. A good reception desk has to look right from the door, work as a desk from behind and fit the space in between. This guide covers the main shapes, typical sizes and heights, raised transaction tops, lower sections and the floor space around the counter, with seven counters and prices.
Every counter here comes from our reception furniture range, and all sizes are taken from the product pages.
Reception desk shapes and where each one works
Most reception desks fall into four shapes. The right one depends on where the counter sits, how many people work behind it and how much floor space the foyer has.
- Straight. The simplest layout, suited to a wall or a narrow entry. It takes the least floor space.
- L-shaped or corner. A return gives staff more desk space and a clearly defined work zone. It suits a corner, or a foyer that visitors enter from the side.
- Curved and J-shaped. A curved front looks softer and draws visitors toward the counter. These counters tend to be larger and suit bigger foyers.
- Modular. Separate pieces join into straight runs, curves and mixed heights, so the counter can fit an unusual space.
The Axis Reception Counter with Poptop (from $586) is a straight counter in 18mm white melamine. It measures 1842mm wide, 300mm deep and 1200mm high, and fits over an existing 1800mm desk. It is also available with a matching straightline desk.
For a corner, the Axis Corner Reception Counter with Poptop (from $1,090) wraps a 90-degree counter around the desk. Each side is 1842mm long, and the counter is 300mm deep and 1200mm high. You can order the counter alone, or with an Axis straightline desk or corner desk.
The White L-Shaped Sorrento Reception Counter (from $1,383) has gloss white melamine front and side panels. Its front counter comes in 1500, 1800 or 2100mm widths, and is 840mm deep and 1150mm high. The return can sit on the left or the right, so it suits either side of an entry. More corner and curved designs are in our L-shaped and curved reception counters.
Reception desk sizes and heights compared
A reception counter works on two levels. Staff sit at a desktop behind the counter, while the raised front, often called a hob or transaction top, sits at standing height for visitors. The counters here stand between 1120mm and 1200mm high at the front.
| Counter | Shape | Width | Depth | Height | Notable features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axis with Poptop | Straight | 1842mm | 300mm (counter only) | 1200mm | Fits over an 1800mm desk |
| Axis Corner with Poptop | Corner, 90 degrees | 1842mm each side | 300mm (counter only) | 1200mm | Counter alone or with a desk |
| White L-Shaped Sorrento | L-shaped | 1500, 1800 or 2100mm | 840mm | 1150mm | Return on the left or right |
| Polaris Lower Height D8 | Straight module | 900mm | 805mm | 835mm | Lower height piece |
| EVO High Low 2 Piece | Curved, two heights | 3215mm | 950mm | 754mm and 1150mm | Frosted glass hob on each section |
| Polaris Curved D1 | Curved module | 1800mm | 805mm | 1120mm | Frosted safety glass hob |
| Executive J Shaped | J-shaped | 2750mm | 950mm | 1150mm | Stone hob on chrome pillars |
Depth matters as much as width. The Axis counters are only 300mm deep because they wrap around a separate desk, while the other counters here are 805mm to 950mm deep. Allow room behind for a chair to move, and in front for visitors to stand.
For one receptionist, a straight counter or a 1500mm L-shape is usually enough. If two people work side by side, look at the 2100mm Sorrento, the 2750mm J-shaped counter or a modular run.
Raised transaction tops and lower sections
A raised top, which some ranges call a poptop, gives visitors a ledge to lean on and sign forms. It also screens the receptionist's desk, keyboard and paperwork from people waiting. On the Axis counters, the poptop is designed to give the front desk extra privacy.
A lower section does the opposite. It brings part of the counter down so a visitor in a wheelchair, or anyone seated, can see across and hand over documents. The Polaris Straight Reception Counter - Lower Height Piece - D8 ($1,383) is an 835mm high, 900mm wide module that sits alongside the taller Polaris pieces.
The EVO High Low Modular Reception Counter - 2 Piece ($7,410) builds both heights into one curved counter. It pairs a 754mm unit with an 1150mm unit, giving privacy for focused work and an accessible point of contact for visitors. The body and desktop have a super high gloss white 2-pack finish.
Curved and modular counters for larger foyers
Modular systems let you build a counter from separate pieces. The Polaris Curved Reception Counter - D1 ($3,000) is one module in a range that combines into hundreds of shapes and sizes, in two heights. It has a gloss white 2 pack body with aluminium strips and a stainless steel kick plate, under a thick frosted safety glass hob. You can see every piece in our modular reception counters.
For a single curved counter, the Executive Reception Counter - J Shaped ($4,323) has a curved return on the left or the right. Its metallic grey 2 pack body has aluminium trim lines, and a jade white stone hob sits on chrome pillars. The desktop comes in matte teak or matte white.
Finish sets the tone of the whole foyer. White suits most fit-outs, and the range also includes walnut, beech and marble-look counters alongside the metallic grey Executive.
Planning the reception area in an Australian office
- Leave space in front. Visitors need room to stand at the counter without blocking the entry, plus space for waiting chairs. Our guide to waiting room chairs covers seating for this area.
- Plan the route in. Delivery is to the ground-floor entrance, and counters arrive flat-packed unless the product page says assembled. Large counters are heavy, so work out how they will reach the foyer.
- Check the delivery line. Each product page names the metro cities it can be delivered to. The Sorrento, Polaris, Executive and EVO pages list metro Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
- Think about who uses the counter. If visitors include wheelchair users, older people or children, a lower section makes the counter easier for everyone to use.
Reception desks — frequently asked questions
How high is a reception desk?
The counters in this guide stand 1120mm to 1200mm high at the front, with a desktop for staff behind. Lower modules, such as the 835mm Polaris D8 and the 754mm EVO unit, bring part of the counter down for seated visitors.
What is a poptop on a reception counter?
A poptop is a raised top along the front of the counter. It gives visitors a ledge to lean on and screens the receptionist's desk from view.
How much room does a reception desk need?
Start with the counter's footprint, then add space behind for a chair and in front for visitors. The counters here range from 300mm deep for the Axis counters to 950mm for the larger curved designs.
Can I add to a modular reception counter later?
Yes. Modular pieces such as the Polaris range are sold separately, so you can start with one or two modules and extend the counter as your team grows.
Shop the range
Every counter in this guide is listed below in the order it appears, with its price.
- Axis Reception Counter with Poptop (from $586): a straight white counter that fits over an existing 1800mm desk
- Axis Corner Reception Counter with Poptop (from $1,090): a 90-degree corner counter with a poptop, alone or with a desk
- White L-Shaped Sorrento Reception Counter (from $1,383): a gloss white L-shape in three widths, with the return on either side
- Polaris Straight Reception Counter - Lower Height Piece - D8 ($1,383): an 835mm lower module that sits alongside taller Polaris pieces
- EVO High Low Modular Reception Counter - 2 Piece ($7,410): a curved counter with 754mm and 1150mm sections in high gloss white
- Polaris Curved Reception Counter - D1 ($3,000): a curved modular piece with a thick frosted safety glass hob
- Executive Reception Counter - J Shaped ($4,323): a metallic grey J-shaped counter with a stone hob on chrome pillars
Metro delivery is a flat $75 per order, and prices include GST.
