A reception desk must fit the room, the people who use it, and the route it takes to get there. Measure before choosing a design, and you can avoid awkward walkways, blocked doors, inaccessible work areas, and last-minute changes. Start with a simple floor plan and record the room dimensions, fixed features, delivery access, power points, and visitor paths. This checklist will help you gather the details a cabinet maker needs to plan a desk that works in your space.
Measure the Room and Desk Area
Measure the full room width and length, then note ceiling height. Record the usable floor area where the desk could go, including the distance from the proposed desk position to walls, windows, columns, radiators, and other fixed features. Sketch the room and label each measurement. Include alcoves and changes in wall depth, since these can affect how a desk fits.
Mark doors, door swings, windows, outlets, switches, and any built-in equipment on your sketch. Measure from a consistent reference point, such as one corner, rather than estimating locations. If the floor or walls are uneven, note that too. A few clear measurements and photos can help your cabinet maker understand the room before discussing the desk layout.
Check Access and Delivery Routes
Measure every part of the route from the building entrance to the reception area: gates, corridors, stairs, lifts, and doorways. For each narrow point, record the clear opening width and height. Check turns and landings as well as straight sections. A desk that fits the room may still be difficult to bring inside if the delivery route includes a tight corner or low doorway.
Note whether doors can be removed, lifts can be reserved, or building access needs to be arranged in advance. Tell the maker about stairs, restricted loading areas, and any limits on delivery times. Ask whether the desk will arrive in separate sections and what minimum clearances each section needs. Do not assume that a large item can be tilted through a space without checking.
Plan Work Surfaces and Power
List what staff need on and inside the desk: computer screens, keyboard, phone, printer, payment terminal, storage, and paperwork. Measure any equipment that must sit on the worktop, including its cable connections and space needed for use. Consider how many people will work at the desk at once and whether they need separate work areas or a shared surface.
Locate the nearest power outlets and data connections, then measure their distance from the proposed desk position. Note which equipment needs power or network access and where cables should enter the desk. Plan cable routes that staff can reach for maintenance without leaving wires across the floor. Confirm outlet positions with the relevant building professional if the layout may require electrical changes.
Protect Visitor and Staff Routes
Map how visitors enter, approach the desk, queue, and leave. Mark the path to waiting areas, meeting rooms, lifts, and exits. Measure the available width along these routes and check that the proposed desk will not obstruct doors, signs, or access to essential facilities. Think through busy moments, when more than one visitor may arrive or wait at the same time.
Include the staff route behind the desk, from the work area to nearby rooms and storage. Check that drawers and cabinet doors can open without blocking a walkway, and allow room for staff to sit, stand, and move comfortably. If visitors need a lower counter section or a clear place to approach, show its intended position on your sketch and discuss the dimensions with your cabinet maker.
Before requesting a quote, send your room sketch, measurements, access notes, equipment list, and photos of the route to the reception area. Confirm any building restrictions and agree which details still need checking on site. Forge Reception can discuss your measurements and help you plan a reception desk for your Sheffield space.