Waiting rooms in hospitals are often the first point of contact for patients and their families, setting the tone for their entire healthcare experience. By carefully selecting interior design elements and furniture, hospitals and clinics can create waiting rooms that are comfortable, functional, and visually appealing.
Creating Spaces That Heal is an ongoing series that spotlights trending furniture and interior design in healthcare spaces. In this installment, learn how to curate waiting room furniture to create a welcoming environment for visitors and patients.
Accessible Individual Seating
Comfort and accessibility are crucial considerations when selecting seating for clinical waiting rooms. Seating options that are plush, have supportive backrests, and ergonomic design prioritize the well-being of individuals sitting for extended periods. It is important to provide inclusive seating that supports the various needs of patients and visitors.
Herman Miller’s Verus Plus chairs support up to 500 pounds with a 30-inch-wide seat and ergonomic arms designed to make sitting and standing easy. Made with microbial fabrics that withstand cleaning, the Verus Plus is an excellent choice for an inclusive healthcare waiting area.
Carolina’s Ansel chairs offer a more private approach to waiting area seating. Available in a high or standard back, the Ansel chair prioritizes comfort and privacy while sporting a contemporary aesthetic. A wide selection of fabrics, wood grains, and solid surfaces allows the Ansel chair to be customized to fit the design of any clinical space.
Contemporary Lounge Furniture
For larger waiting areas of hospitals, lounge furniture such as modular sectionals and multiple-seating systems are an effective way to maximize seating in the space. Many contemporary healthcare facilities use modular lounge furniture due to its versatility and aesthetics.
Herman Miller’s Nemschoff Palisade Multiple Seating System is a complete line of waiting area furniture, combining seats, armrests, and benches to create unique seating solutions. The Nemschoff Palisade line also offers tables that can be added in-line, at a corner, or at the end of a seat. This modular seating system provides integrated power access so users can charge their devices while they wait.
Carolina’s Basil modular lounge seating offers reconfigurable bench seating and tables. With a soft curve to its form, the Basil system evokes a feeling of comfort, complimenting any clinical waiting area. Clean-out spaces between the seat and its back, removeable tables that attach between benches, and integrated power access make this seating option incredibly functional.
Functional Tables
Waiting area tables not only provide a surface for décor and reading materials, they are also necessary for visitors to set their personal belongings on. Table size should be considered to ensure visitors are provided with the space they need to be comfortable while waiting for treatment. It is also important to consider accessibility to and around tables in a waiting area, as access to seating is priority.
The X&O table by Carolina features a contemporary leg-less design and is available in multiple sizes to fit any waiting area space. This occasional table can be customized in wood, laminate, or solid surface material to suit the aesthetic of the waiting area and seating. Integrated technology and power options turn this table from a simple surface to a useful tool for its users.
Carolina’s Basket table blends function and sophistication by offering customizable surface options with a stainless-steel base. Available in various sizes and built using durable, cleanable materials, the Basket table is a simple, yet highly functional table perfectly suited for heavy use in waiting areas.
Put It All Together
The furniture solutions discussed in this blog are just a small sample of what Creative Business Interiors can offer to healthcare facilities. The waiting area sets the tone for the patient experience, so selecting furniture that fully supports its visitors and evokes feelings of comfort and care is paramount. Creative provides a range of contemporary, comfortable, and durable waiting area furniture options that promote relaxation, support well-being, and leave a lasting positive impression on patients and their families.
Reach out to an Expert at Work today to discover how to elevate your waiting area and provide a warm, welcoming environment for those seeking medical care.