How much time do you think you have spent in waiting rooms throughout your life? Being in a waiting room can sometimes feel like you’re in limbo, especially when you are nervous for an important appointment or a medical check-up.
Having a well-designed waiting room can make a huge difference in relieving anxiety, staving off boredom, or simply making your day go that little bit faster. Nobody wants to be in a waiting room, but sometimes we have to be, so it may as well be a pleasant experience.
Medical waiting rooms
The design of your waiting room is going to rely entirely on what kind of business you are running. If you operate a medical centre then your criteria will be completely different to an office.
Is your medical centre likely to have many children as patients? If so then the decor and interior design may be different compared to if your patients are primarily adults. Entertaining kids, while they are waiting to be seen by a doctor, can be incredibly important to alleviate any anxiety, regardless of the reason for their visit. Consider using more colour to brighten up and add interest to the room. You could even incorporate a dedicated children’s area, with its own soft furnishings and room for play or movement, into the design.
First impressions are crucial when entering a waiting room, whether it’s a place of business or a health centre. Patients can know they’re working with a team that cares about their health and well-being if the waiting area is comfortable, functional, and patient-centred. A packed and uncomfortable waiting room, on the other hand, communicates the exact opposite. Opt for a spacious design to ensure your visitors know they are your priority.
Business waiting rooms
A business requires a very different kind of waiting room. The most important visual choice when designing a waiting room, regardless of what kind of service you are providing, is to make sure that the brand is clear. Additionally, having a clean, orderly and consistent waiting room will help to instil confidence in any potential client or customer, making them more comfortable with doing business with you.
The right furniture is also fundamental to the feel of your business and its waiting room. Consistency is the key, and making the space feel welcoming while still ensuring your brand is reflected in the design can be challenging.
There are different factors to consider when deciding which reception chairs will work best in your setting. Seating that is uncomfortable might make the wait feel longer, so the best test is to try it. Would you like to sit in that for 20 minutes or more?
Take into account all of your visitors, their sizes, ages, and mobility. Some people may need more accessible seating options. This will determine whether you require armchairs or chairs of various designs to accommodate everyone.
Good design choices
A well-designed waiting area makes the most of the available space, allowing patients and employees to move around easily and without hindrance at all times.
Keeping guests entertained is becoming easier in the modern world. No longer do you need piles of magazines, everyone has a phone that is able to access a virtually infinite amount of entertainment. As a result, you should consider providing outlets so that people may charge their phones, iPads, and laptops while they wait. Offering free Wi-Fi is also a terrific idea, but don’t forget to include the password.
It’s also important to not forget about the service element of a waiting room. Having a friendly secretary or member of staff keeping patients aware of what is happening is essential. Keeping the space clean and in good working order is a constant task and hiring the right person for the job is all part of the task that goes into creating a successful waiting area.
At HE Interiors we are interior fit out experts. If you want to find out how we can help design your perfect waiting room, get in touch.
