A salon reception desk is the first piece of furniture and interior decor your clients see when they enter your salon. And, as everyone knows, first impressions do count!
You don’t have to own a huge space full of large and heavy furniture for your place to look luxurious and professional. If you have a small salon you can still make a great first impression, because there are quite a few beautiful and functional small salon reception desks. And I’d love to share them with you!
My top picks
Dir Orsacchiotto Small Salon Reception Desk
Dir (Dream in Reality) is a manufacturer of fine salon furniture. They make several models of compact and beautiful salon reception desks.
Dir Orsacchiotto is the tiniest desk in their line of furniture, and at the same time it’s very functional.
It also has a lot of storage space for such a small piece of furniture.
The measurements:
This desk is just 25”(W) x 42”(H) x 15.5”(D).
It can fit into any tight space and be a great focal point for a small salon.
Orsacchiotto means a “little bear” in Italian. And this name suits the unit really well.
Orsacchiotto salon reception desk is absolutely gorgeous.
It’s got a simple modern design and comes in a white or black glossy finish.
It also has a big tempered frosted glass panel that covers almost the entire front surface of the desk.
The glass panel has white LED illumination lights.
There is a small LED illuminated display shelf below the counter in front of glass panel. You can put polishes or any other products you want to offer for sale at your salon on that shelf.
Orsacchiotto has all the functions of a large reception desk fit into a very small unit.
It will be pretty convenient for your employees.
The reverse side of the desk hides a big working surface and a keyboard slide-out tray.
There are two large cabinets that provide a lot of storage space.
You won’t have any additional drawers, locking drawers or room for legs under the counter (if you pull a chair very close to the desk), but all that space is occupied with the storage cabinets.
Pros:
- Compact size, can fit into small spaces.
- Attractive design, comes in white or black glossy finish.
- LED illuminated display shelf and LED illumination lights.
- Large cabinets providing ample storage space.
- Simple modern design.
- Suitable for a small salon as a focal point.
- Convenient for employees.
Cons:
- No additional drawers or locking drawers.
- No room for legs under the counter.
- May not be suitable for larger salons.
J&A Glass Top Reception Desk
J&A salon reception desk is longer than the tiny Orsachiotto unit.
But it’s so small in depth, just 17″ inches!
The dimensions: 44”(W) x 17”(D) x 40″(H).
So it’s a very compact piece of furniture that would be ideal even for a tiny salon.
It’s a high quality brown wooden desk with two floating glass top counters.
The smaller one is for your customers and the bigger one is a nice working surface for the salon receptionist.
Surprisingly, the desk has a lot of storage space in the back.
There are 2 spacious cabinets, 2 convenient drawers, and 2 middle open shelves.
Of course, that doesn’t leave any room for legs, but this piece is not deep enough for that anyway.
J&A desk has a sleek modern look, accentuated by a decorative front metal panel with nickel finish.
Pros:
- Longer than the Orsacchiotto reception desk
- Compact size: 44”(W) x 17”(D) x 40”(H)
- High quality brown wooden desk
- Two floating glass top counters: one for clients and one for the receptionist
- Lots of storage space: 2 spacious cabinets, 2 convenient drawers, and 2 middle open shelves
- Sleek modern look with a decorative front metal panel with nickel finish
Cons:
- No room for legs due to the limited depth of 17 inches
- May not be suitable for those who require more working space and prefer a deeper desk
Dir Langara Salon Reception Desk
Dir Langara is the second smallest salon reception desk by Dream in Reality Group.
However, it’s two times wider than Dir Orsacchiotto desk: 48”(W) x 20”(D) x 43”(H).
It still can fit well inside a small salon.
On the plus side, it has a lot more storage space and much more working surface.
There is a narrow top counter for the clients to make payments at.
And there is a working surface in the back.
The desk has a lot of storage space though.
There are a cabinet and a drawer on one side, and 4 drawers on the other side, a keyboard tray under the working counter on the back, and a small shelf under that tray.
The shelf is fixed, so you won’t be able to stretch your legs too far.
Langara is a square modern reception desk that comes in silver.
It’s got a glossy durable PVC laminate finish and aluminum accents.
The desk looks really chic and has a string of LED lights going across the front surface.
As all Dir reception desks, Langara also comes pre-assembled and ready to use.
Pros:
- Wide desk with more working surface than the smaller Dir Orsacchiotto model.
- A lot of storage space with a cabinet, drawer, 4 drawers, keyboard tray, and a small shelf.
- Sleek modern design with silver glossy finish, PVC laminate, and aluminum accents.
- LED lights across the front surface.
- Comes pre-assembled and ready to use.
Cons:
- May not fit in a very small salon due to its wider size.
- The shelf is fixed, limiting leg room.
Dir Star Ferry Reception Desk
Dir Star Ferry is about the same size as Dir Langara salon reception desk, only two inches wider: 50”(W) x 43.5”(H) x 24”(D).
So it still can fit into a tight space. Ideal for a small luxury salon.
This desk has a sleek modern design, curved lines, and a nice oval shape, which makes it look very elegant.
So beautiful!
The wooden Star Ferry desk comes in black and white with a glossy finish.
It’s illuminated with a string of white LED lights along the front surface.
Dir Star Ferry also includes four curved chrome metal legs, which are optional.
You can install them if you want, and that will make your desk a bit higher.
There is a wide working surface in the back of the desk, along with one lockable drawer, a keyboard pull-out tray, and two large open shelves.
Star Ferry has no additional room for legs because of those shelves and no closed cabinets.
You can use the pre-assembled desk right out of the box, you just have to install the 4 curved legs if you want.
Pros:
- Sleek modern design with elegant curved lines and oval shape
- Beautiful with a glossy finish in black and white
- Illuminated with a string of white LED lights along the front surface
- Wide working surface in the back of the desk
- Includes a lockable drawer, a keyboard pull-out tray, and two large open shelves
- Comes pre-assembled, ready to use with optional curved chrome metal legs that can make the desk higher
Cons:
- No additional room for legs because of the shelves and no closed cabinets
- Size is slightly larger than Dir Langara (50”(W) x 43.5”(H) x 24”(D)) which may limit its suitability for smaller spaces.
Dir Janus Salon Reception Desk
Dir Janus is not the smallest reception desk on this list.
But it’s a curved L-shaped desk, and can be installed in a corner.
That way you can save a lot of space.
Janus desk’s measurements are: 39.4″(D) x 57″(W) x 42.1″(H).
The length is measured along the curve, so the real width of this unit is less than 57″.
This modern desk looks very elegant and sleek with a black high gloss surface and built-in white LED lights both at the top and at the base. The surface is easy to clean.
There is a large counter for the clients, where they can check out and make payments. And a lot of working and storage space at the back, with several open shelves and a lockable drawer.
You can buy additional Dir side display and storage cabinets for this model if needed.
Pros:
- Space-saving L-shaped design can be installed in a corner
- Elegant and sleek black high gloss surface with built-in LED lights
- Large counter for clients and ample working and storage space at the back
- Option to purchase additional side display and storage cabinets if needed
- Easy to clean surface
Cons:
- Not the smallest reception desk
- Real width of the desk is less than 57 inches due to the curved shape.
How to choose a small salon reception desk
There aren’t too many compact salon reception desks on the market, but the ones that I’ve listed here are really high quality and beautiful.
When choosing a reception desk you have to be sure that it would make a perfect focal point for your salon.
This is the first thing your guests would encounter when they come in.
So a reception desk has to fit your salon’s style and color.
And one of the most important things you need to consider is how much space it would occupy.
Of course, a small reception desk would fit any tight space nicely.
Color
Some desks only come in one color, some have several color options.
The most common shades are white, black, and gray.
Choose a hue that coordinates with the colors of all the other furniture in your salon.
Style
All the little salon reception desks I’ve been able to find are made in the sleek modern style.
Revival (Victorian, Georgian, etc) units are always large and solid.
So if you want a small salon reception desk then contemporary style is your best bet.
Many desks have a nice glossy finish and shiny metal details that make them look more expensive.
You may consider buying a high-end desk for a luxury salon, or a simple budget one if a chic look is not too important for your business.
Most desks I’ve listed in this article have a straight square or only slightly rounded construction.
But one desk, Dir Janus, is a curved L-shaped desk that you can install in the corner and save even more space.
Storage
Not enough storage space in a desk can be a deal-breaker for some people.
Most desks have at least a few open shelves and drawers installed, while other desks even have storage cabinets.
You may also want a keyboard slide-out tray and a lockable drawer for cash and other valuables to come with your desk
Size
The size of your salon reception desk should match the space available in your salon.
Measure the area where you plan to place the desk and compare it to the dimensions of the desk you’re interested in.
It’s essential to choose a desk that fits comfortably in the designated space, without taking up too much room.
Durability
You need a desk that can withstand daily use, so look for one made of high-quality materials such as solid wood or metal.
Check for warranties offered by the manufacturer to ensure that your desk will last for a long time.
Material
The material of the desk plays a significant role in its durability and appearance.
The most common materials used for small salon reception desks are wood, metal, and glass.
Wooden desks have a classic look and can add warmth to your salon.
Metal desks are sleek and modern while glass desks have a more modern and elegant feel.
Glass desks also allow for more light to pass through, making your salon appear brighter and more spacious.
Consider the style of your salon and choose a material that fits your aesthetic and color scheme.
Functionality
Consider the purpose of the desk and what tasks it will be used for.
If you need a lot of storage space, look for a desk with ample shelving and drawers.
If you need a spacious surface for writing or using a computer, choose a desk with a large countertop.
Features
Different reception desks may come with different features, such as built-in storage or lighting.
Consider your specific needs and choose a desk that has the features that are most important to you.
Accessories
Some small salon reception desks come with additional accessories such as built-in waste bins, cup holders, or even a charging station.
These accessories can make a significant difference in the functionality and convenience of your desk.
Decide what accessories are important to you and look for a desk that includes them.
Lighting
Some desks have LED lighting installed on their front surface that enhances their appearance.
Only one small salon reception desk on this list has an uplit product display area available for upselling various beauty products to salon customers.
It’s the Dir Orsacchiotto desk.
Ergonomics
Comfort is important, especially for staff who will be using the desk for extended periods.
Look for a desk with adjustable height and a comfortable countertop height.
A desk with a rounded edge is safer and an ergonomic design can help reduce stress and fatigue.
Assembly
If you don’t want to do the assembly yourself then either choose a pre-assembled desk or a manufacturer that offers an additional assembly service.
A small salon reception desk can be a great focal point in a tight space, and boost the image of your business.
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