From the waiting room to the exam room, the right furniture can have a positive or negative impact on your patients. Many people suffer from anxiety or fear when attending medical appointments and the right environment can make a difference in their level of comfort.  A commercial interior designer can help you select furniture that is comfortable for your patients and can also offer guidance in space planning to make your office traffic flow smoothly.

Comfort is key

No matter how great your healthcare office looks, if the furniture is not comfortable to sit on or makes an office feel crowded, it may increase your patient's anxiety levels. Chairs in a modular design may offer more comfort because they can be spaced apart in a grouping rather than placed side by side. Lounge chairs and sofas are other options that are likely to offer more comfort than ganged-style seating, which is hooked together to accommodate more patients.

Space planning makes a difference

Your waiting room should give patients adequate room to navigate between the check-in window and seating area. The same is true for exam rooms, which should have enough space between chairs and exam tables to avoid giving the room a stuffy feeling. Traffic flow in the main waiting room is important and a commercial interior designer will arrange your furniture for optimal ease of access in any area of your office. 

Use color to add warmth

Using various colors of furniture is important if you want your healthcare facility to appear warm and inviting. A waiting room or exam room that is done in all neutral shades can appear cold and uninviting. Using a gray sofa with peach or teal-colored chairs will provide an eye-appealing look that is sure to warm up the room and make your patients feel welcome.

Avoid using only warm or cold colors when choosing furniture. It is best to mix and match warm and cold colors to keep the room interesting. For instance, red and gray are cheerful and inviting when used together, as well as green and yellow, or blue and light brown combinations.

What do your patients see when they walk into your medical office? Having a well-designed medical office with comfortable furniture that is placed strategically for good traffic flow and does not feel crowded is important. Creating a positive atmosphere in your medical facility can help ease a patient's stress about their appointment and make them feel more welcome.

For more information, contact a commercial interior designer near you.