A salon reception desk is the first welcoming thing customers see when they walk through your door. You want to make sure the reception desk you choose is spacious enough to bestow a feeling of comfort and security to your customers.

Small desks can be alarming and make customers feel “short changed” before they even get to the counter. The “Oh my God! You can’t even afford a real desk!” reaction is common when people see absurdly small reception desks.

To help you find a high quality desk with lots of space, at Furnish and Style we have detailed 6 that have gotten really great reviews. Check them out, and compare them to the ones you’ve been considering. We bet you’ll like the ones we’ve picked out A LOT more.

Furnish&Style’s 6 Stunning Salon Reception Desks:

1. Dream In Reality Revival Black Illuminated Salon Reception Desk

(4.5 / 5)

DIR is back with more great luxury salon products. If you check out the DIR product line, you’ll see they’ve got almost everything a salon needs, always in stock. From shampoo bowls, manicure tables, and pedicure tables, to trolly carts and barber chairs, DIR’s got you covered all the way!

Some say their products are too expensive, and while they are a bit pricey, the quality is better than you’ll find in most others. Most people are more than impressed with the looks, performance, and value, but people on a budget will need to look for something a little more wallet friendly.

Below is a run-down of the DIR Revival feature set :

• Classy, Large, And Beautifully Designed – Your customers will remember coming in front of a reception desk like this. It’s a grand display of high class character! People often remark how majestic it looks inside a clean and spacious interior.
• Wooden Construction – Crafted from solid wood, the Revival is strong, sturdy, and designed to last for years of trouble-free use.
• Selection of Colors – Choose from Black, White, Cream, or Silver.
• Illuminated Front Panel With LED Lighting – The front panel of the Revival allows light to pass through. Together with the LED lighting system, it delivers a warm glow your salon customers will be sure to love.
• Front Adorning Metal Accents – Beautifully designed silver accents give this reception desk that extra something special.
• Spacious Counter – The countertop measures 50″ x 20″. This provides plenty of room for stacks of papers, business cards, magazines, etc.
• Drawers, Cabinets & Keyboard Slideout – The Revival comes with everything a reception desk needs for effective business management and productivity. Behind the spacious counter is a total of 2 cabinets, 2 drawers, and one pull-out keyboard holder.
• Fully Assembled – Just unpack it from the box, move it into place, and you’re all set!
• 1 Year Warranty – Every DIR reception desk comes with a 1 year warranty standard. If your desk is damaged during shipping, or breaks during the first year, DIR will issue you a full refund.

Overall Rating (5 / 5)

2. DIR Orsacchiotto Illuminated White Modern Salon Reception Desk

Consumer Rating (4 / 5)

Similar to the Revival listed above, the Orsacchiotto comes with a lot of the same features, but is a much less robust and overall cheaper design. It’s a great option for people looking to save the most, and still get the benefits of a lighted front glass panel.

However, salon owners should be aware that the simple wood construction of this table is the very same type you see in most retail shops open for business. Applying a high quality finishing coat for that “something extra” would be the way to go.

Check out the feature set below :

• Solid Wood Construction – The DIR Orsacchiotto is crafted from solid wood, which provides a sturdy, weighted surface that’s never tipsy or unstable.
• Black Ash Or Glossy White – Your choice of colors allows you to “custom fit” the DIR Orsacchiotto to match up with light or dark ensembles.
• Split-Level Counter – The included counter of the Orsacchiotto provides ample room for papers, record keeping, guest lists, and ledgers.
• Illuminated Glass LED Panel  – Showcasing is easy with the included LED front glass panel. It’s the perfect way to introduce products and/or announcements at your salon. The warm glow provides a soft inviting feel that easily accents any decor.
• Storage Cabinets, Cubby, And Keyboard Slide – Having necessary items on hand provides you with one more way you can go the extra mile for your customers. The dual storage cabinets, storage cubby, and keyboard slide help you accomplish tasks fast.
• 1 Year Warranty – If at any time during the first year, your DIR Orsacchiotto malfunctions or breaks, DIR will replace it or issue you a refund for free.

Overall Rating (4 / 5)

3. Mayakoba Berkeley Walnut Salon Reception Desk

Consumer Rating (4 / 5)

The Berkeley makes a great “middle of the road” option for people that would like a respectable reception desk but don’t want to overpay. It looks great right out of the box, with just the right amount of flare and accent to represent the average 9-5 salon.

With a little ingenuity and legwork, you can use the included glass display area to create a more welcoming view you can change to suit your preference. For example, a glowing lamp casting light on custom salon art, such as scissors made from clay, which you can paint and clearcoat. Knowing how to work with lighting inside the display is a big part of getting the most from this desk.

Here’s a quick run-down of the feature set :

• Constructed From Hardwood Veneer – Unlike cheaper reception desks made from wood, the upgraded hardwood veneer is a higher quality option. It costs a bit more, but most salon owners would agree that customers deserve a respectable reception desk to walk up to and do business at.
• Spacious Counter – The counter is spacious enough to serve a number of different business purposes, such as offering magazines and business cards, as well as providing enough counter space for cash and credit card transactions.
• Luxury Glass Display – The inner bay of the glass display is large enough to hold multiple salon items with ease.
• Cabinets For Storage Space – The cabinets house inner bays as well, that do a great job in  keeping all your most needed items on hand.
• Dimensions : Length: 20″ x Width: 46.5″x Height: 42.5″

Overall Rating (4.5 / 5)

4. Dream In Reality Curved LED Salon Reception Desk

Consumer Rating [3.5]

This is definitely one of the best looking reception desks we’ve ever seen in this price range. It’s sleek, comes with pre-installed lights, and looks great inside a spacious interior. It’s perfect for salons that have been looking for THAT ONE SPECIAL DEAL on a reception desk that can actually make a difference.

And if you take a closer look, you’ll notice that this is the very same design many other businesses have used to become successful. It’s easy to make this desk design a part of your own salon business and capitalize on it’s already successful history.

Reception Desk Features:-

• Available In Black And Silver – Even though there’s only one color available, it’s a uniform color scheme that blends easily into most interiors.
• Durable High Gloss Surface – The surface of this desk looks amazing right out of the box. It’s a desk that makes you feel genuinely good about displaying documents, performing customer transactions, and setting up display items. It’s got a universal charm that just doesn’t quit!
• Expansion Ability – Adding additional side storage bays or display cabinets to this reception desk is easy. They cost $400 each, which might seem steep, but if you actually NEED the additional storage or display space, they make perfect sense.
• 1 Year Warranty – If at any time during your first year of ownership, your DIR Janus reception desk breaks, they’ll replace it or refund your money for free.

Overall Rating (4 / 5)

5. DIR Beauty Salon Reception Desk LED illuminated with desk area

Consumer Rating (5 / 5)

When planning to add a reception desk to your salon, it helps to visualize what it will look like on the inside. If it seems like the desk won’t be a proper fit, you’re probably right. This reception desk is equipped with it’s own style characteristics. It’s not very thick, it doesn’t feature a rounded base, and has flat contours. Other reception desks will fit inside your salon as well, so it’s up to you to choose one you’ll truly be happy with.

The Gattino has a nice slim profile, and looks great inside small reception areas. You can check out the full feature set below :

• Solid Wood Construction – The solid wood material is designed to be forgiving to bumps and scars, giving you an advantage over plastics that can permanently warp, scratch, and ding.
• Sleek, Modern Design – The Gattino was created with the fast paced lifestyle of modern business in mind. It’s definitely easy on the eyes, and you can look at it throughout the day without eye strain. Its aesthetic nature helps ease stress levels when you’re trying to get the most done.
• Color options – The Gattino comes in white, black, or silver. But remember, just because the color might not match your interior, doesn’t mean you can’t place a colored cloth or other colored material over the white or black areas to match the decor.
• Illumination Front Panel – Behind the glass panel is an inner bay that can house promotional materials, artwork, and pretty much anything else you’d like to present.
• Dual Drawers And Sliding Keyboard Shelf – The multiple drawers do a good job of holding multiple storage items, and the sliding keyboard shelf allows for PC compatibility.
• Comes Fully Assembled – You don’t have to worry about anything to do with assembly of this product. Simply remove it from the box, guide it into place on a “dolly”, and then adjust its position with your body strength (optional). Totally easy and simple!
• One Year Warranty – The one year warranty keeps you safe from factory defects or damages incurred during shipping. If during the first year you experience a problem, simply call DIR for a refund or replacement.

Overall Rating (5 / 5)

6. DIR Stainless Steel and White – Star Ferry Salon Reception Desk

Consumer Rating (4.5 / 5)

Curved shaped salon reception desks are totally in style and something that a lot of current salons are using. The Star Ferry is an award winning design that DIR has available for sale, along with many others. The Star Ferry performs as well as it looks, and features a multi-color LED system that’s sure to turn some heads.

It’s a great fit for spas, retail offices, salons, you name it. Just a really nice reception desk that fits everyday 9-5 salon scenarios perfectly.

Features:-

• Curved Shape With Metal Legs – The elegant, modern shape of this desk is easy to position thanks to the metal legs. Simply lift one edge, and start maneuvering. You’ll notice the metal leg pieces are smoothly rounded to prevent floor damage.
• Available in Glossy White, Black, Or Silver – Multiple colors are available to help you match the desk to your color scheme.
• Multi-Color LED Lighting System – The onboard lighting system looks absolutely stunning in dimly lit environments. And although it doesn’t come with a see-through glass panel, some people may not want or need this feature. It’s great to have a design available that doesn’t include the inner display bay and glass panel.
• Keyboard Slide And Lockable Drawer – Keeping cash and valuables on hand is no problem with the included lockable drawer.
• 1 Year Warranty – The 1 year warranty keeps you safe from product defect or damage incurred from shipping.

Overall Rating (5 / 5)

Choosing the right Salon Reception Desk

To salon owners, it may seem like making your salon look professional is outrageously expensive. But, as many successful business owners have learned first hand, these costs are usually a “necessary evil”. If you would like a guide to help you setup or layout your salon, read here.

Sure, the time it takes to recoup from a large salon reception desk purchase can be daunting, but when compared to the increased profits and customer satisfaction levels, it makes sense to spend the money. And if you’re actually a good hair stylist / hairdresser, you can EASILY recoup the cost in just a few short months.

Budget-minded salon owners have some great options as well, but most would benefit from a good “makeover”. Having them professionally painted and clear coated is an investment that would enhance both the looks and performance of the desk. It’s a smart plan for people that don’t have enough money to purchase a high priced desk from the factory.