Why Quartz Makes a Great Material for Reception Areas

Reception areas are often the first thing a client or customer sees when they walk into your commercial space. There are a variety of things to consider when choosing the perfect material for your reception space.

Creating a welcoming front desk might be the best option for your space because you want guests to know that you’re happy to see them. Perhaps you are in an educational environment and need a functional space for your administrative staff that is also durable enough to face parents or students stopping by the desk. Or maybe, you’re building a service counter like you’d see at a post office or check-out counter. These types of desks see use from both sides and need to be created from a material that can stand up to being kicked, scuffed, and scraped. 

Therefore, choosing a material that is both durable and beautiful is important for reception counters. Quartz countertops are becoming more popular as homeowners and business people alike realize the versatility and durability of this surfacing product. Keep reading to see why quartz makes a good material for reception counters!

3 Reasons to Use Quartz for Reception Countertops

1. Durability

Quartz countertops are from over 90% natural quartz, the fourth hardest mineral on Earth (scoring a 7 out of 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale). Quartz slabs are engineered for durability and are bound together with resin. Other creative elements such as color pigments are added to quartz slabs to give them certain design aesthetics, such as veins. 

As one of the hardest materials on Earth, quartz makes virtually indestructible countertops that can stand up to the daily wear and tear of home or office life. 

Unlike some natural stones, quartz can be used in a variety of applications — including flooring, wall cladding, and countertops — because of its durability. Other materials, like marble, are easily stained and chipped.

2. Low Maintenance

Quartz countertops are low maintenance because they are nonporous. Many countertop materials — like granite, marble, and butcher block — are porous and require sealing (usually annually). Without proper sealing, the small holes and fissures in porous countertops can become saturated with liquids or germs from food preparation, which can harbor unwelcome and harmful bacteria and germs. 

Quartz countertops do not require any sealing, because they are solid all the way through. And daily maintenance couldn’t be any easier. Just wipe down with a wet sponge and mild soap for daily cleaning. (Always make sure to use a non-abrasive sponge when cleaning so you do not dull your quartz countertops.)

3. Visually Appealing

Quartz countertops are also beautiful and versatile. While marble and granite have distinct looks, quartz countertops can be created in a variety of colors and patterns. Some older quartz patterns resemble granite countertops, while other newer colors have hints of veining that gives them a more marble-esque appearance. 

Quartz also comes in solid or lightly patterned colors that resemble other popular materials, such as concrete, without the maintenance hassles. 

Design Ideas for Quartz Reception Counters

1. Sleek Salutation

Quartz is a versatile material that can be used in a variety of applications, not just at a reception desk. It can be used as a countertop/desktop, flooring, and even as wall cladding. Here, the front of the desk is clad in a white, subtly-veined quartz that contrasts sharply with the rich wood of the desk, while the back wall is clad with a slate grey quartz. The possibilities are endless when it comes to quartz application in your commercial space. 

2. Bold Welcome

Created from more than 90% natural quartz, quartz surfacing pairs well with other natural elements such as hardwoods and leather. Here, the base of the desk and the walls are paneled with a rich, dark wood, and the top of the immense check-in counter is a beautiful dark quartz. The dark quartz paired with the deep wood adds a luxurious, welcoming feeling to this space. 

3. Edgy Reception Desk

Another interesting feature of quartz is its durability. It is up to two times more durable than granite and can support its own weight, which allows creative designs such as waterfall edges and nontraditional design elements (pictured) to be easier to create. (Natural stones that are softer, such as granite and marble, can be more prone to cracking over time from a waterfall edge.) Creative reception desks like this one, work best in modern spaces and are complemented by bright design elements such as the red candlesticks. 

For more design inspiration and to see our color portfolio, visit our website, HanStoneQuartz.com.