Reception Area Refurbishment

First impressions matter, especially in corporate banking where trust and professionalism are paramount. Your reception area is often the first physical touchpoint clients have with your organization, setting the tone for every interaction that follows. When this corporate banking client assessed their reception space, they recognized a disconnect between the environment and the brand experience they wanted to deliver.

The existing decor featured dark colors and black glass—design choices that may have felt contemporary when originally installed but had created a somber, unwelcoming atmosphere. The darkly painted metal panels and old-style wooden display unit contributed to a space that felt closed-off rather than inviting, hardly the impression a forward-thinking financial institution wants to make.

This corporate banking client approached Reface Solutions as they wished to brighten up their reception area. Understanding that extensive construction or replacement would be costly and highly disruptive to daily operations, we suggested several different media options that could transform the space through strategic recladding rather than reconstruction.

The client chose a Reface Solutions designer fabric style to reclad the darkly painted metal panels, the old style wooden display unit and the black glass in the reception area. Designer fabrics offer unique advantages in commercial environments: they provide texture and depth that creates visual warmth, they're available in sophisticated patterns and colors, and they deliver durability suitable for high-traffic areas.

However, surface transformation was only part of the solution. This was then linked to an update of the graphics on the new clear glazing, and we enshrined the design on top of the designer fabric to ensure that the corporate identity was woven into the upgraded decor, allowing for brand consistency. This integrated approach meant every element of the reception area worked together to tell a cohesive brand story.

Perhaps most impressively, the project was undertaken out of office hours and took less than 2 weekends to complete. By working exclusively during weekends, we ensured zero disruption to the bank's operations—no closed reception areas, no inconvenience to clients, and no impact on staff productivity. The client could close on Friday evening with their old reception and return Monday morning to a completely transformed space.