Reception trays face tough treatment in lobbies
A reception area in South Africa is busy from the first person through the door to the last delivery. There are keys, cards, coins, pens, and the odd half-eaten sweet left behind. Trays tend to get knocked, dropped, or just plain handled by dozens of people a day. The usual plastic or bamboo tray soon warps, cracks, or looks tired.
Clients want a tray that won’t feel like an afterthought. The tray must fit in with the look of a smart entrance, hold its shape, and clean up well after the long haul. And it needs to survive the morning rush without looking like it belongs in a takeaway.
Felt trays shrug off knocks and blend in
Our Soft Tray Nest started from the idea that reception trays should last more than a season. We make them using dense merino-blend felt, which can take hard use without showing scuffs or fraying at the edges. Unlike woven fabrics, felt is a non-woven textile: we cut it to size and the edges stay neat, even after years of use.
Each tray comes in three sizes, S, M, and L, to suit everything from loose keys to A5 visitor cards. The finishes range from calm Cloud Pale and Mist Paper to deeper tones like Ink Edge and Forest Mute. They're easy to clean, too: spot clean cool and dry flat, dont rub or tumble dry, and they bounce back ready for another week.
A quick story from reception
One of our clients, a Joburg medical practice, swapped out their old plastic trays for Soft Tray Nest sets in the waiting area. The manager was tired of cracked corners and mystery stains that never really came out.
Within a month, she sent us a message to say the new trays still looked fresh, even after a spilled cappuccino and the odd child parking a toy car in them. The practice staff just blot up any spills and move on. The trays hold their shape and don’t draw attention unless someone asks where they got them.
Tips for choosing and fitting reception trays
Here are some steps to get the most out of felt trays in a busy space. A bit of planning means less stress down the line.
If you are setting up for a bank, clinic, or hotel, extra trays in lighter or darker finishes help keep the look tidy as seasons, and the sun, change.
- Measure the counter or table so the tray fits without blocking other items
- Pick a finish that hides dirt but fits your colour scheme
- Have at least two trays, so you can swap out and clean one while using the other
- Empty and quick clean trays daily. Shake out dust, then spot clean as needed
- Avoid direct sun all year: UV fades felt, so rotate trays near windows
What to send us if you want help
If you’d like us to recommend or make reception trays for your building, send us a message through our contact form. It helps if you include a photo of your reception area, measurements of your counter or surface, and any colour preferences.
Let us know whether you want a set for a chain of clinics, a single hotel, or a public building. We can help advise on which size and finish will work best, and arrange samples at our Woodstock studio or at one of our showroom bays nationwide.
