The waiting room is an important part of any clinic. Whether that is a GP, hospital, plastic surgery or dental clinic, it is your patient’s first impression of your business. It is also a place where people may be feeling nervous and need a relaxing headspace before their appointment. Nailing the design is crucial for making your patients feel comfortable and ready for your services.
Read on to find out 10 waiting room design essentials in 2024.
1. The reception desk
A key part of any waiting room design is the reception desk. Patients should be able to walk in and immediately identify where the desk is. There is nothing worse than turning up for an appointment and not knowing where to go and who to ask for help.
The desk should be positioned as the focal point of the room, with a welcoming atmosphere. If the desk or receptionist are concealed it can be offputting for customers to approach. It is also important from a safety standpoint as the receptionist should have a clear view of everyone in the waiting room, in case anyone has a medical emergency.
2. A spacious waiting room design
Feelings of anxiety and being overwhelmed are not uncommon in waiting rooms. A clustered room where everyone is sat close together would only enhance these feelings. Even if the room itself is not that big, the space can be optimised to ensure everyone can walk around freely and have seating options.
3. Comfortable seating
Having stylish seating is one part of the waiting room design, but making sure it is comfortable and supportive is also essential. Comfortable seating adds to the patients’ feeling relaxed before their appointment. It also shows that you are an establishment that cares about their comfort and well-being.
4. Lighting choices
The lighting can make or break a good waiting room. A dimly lit room can create feelings of sadness. Whereas a bright, harshly lit room can be alarming and enhance anxiety. Getting the right fit for your establishment is important for making your patients feel at ease. Ensure the waiting room is well-lit but has a soft and inviting feel to it.
5. Consider colours carefully
The colour scheme will be a big part of your waiting room design. Colours have an effect on emotions and mood, as well as different associations. For example, red is a bold colour associated with excitement and action. It tends to stimulate the body and mind leading to increased energy, which may not be right for most waiting rooms.
Different types of businesses will require their patients to have different emotions in the waiting room. In most cases, calming and neutral colours are needed to relax the patient before their appointment.
6. Appropriate decor
When picking the decor for your waiting room you want to choose pieces that are not overly distracting and promote a sense of calm. Fish tanks are a popular choice due to their relaxing effect and nice aesthetic. Plants similarly have a relaxing effect, also being a part of nature. If the upkeep of taking care of plants is not possible, artificial greenery can be just as impactful.
7. Provide refreshments
Simply having water available in the waiting room makes a huge difference to patients’ comfort. A beverage to sip on whilst waiting can ease nerves and make the waiting experience more pleasant.
Different clinics will have different waiting times expected, those with a longer average waiting time may want to provide additional refreshments. Such as a tea and coffee vending machine or snacks.
8. A children’s area
Having a dedicated space for children can make the waiting room experience better for not only the child but also the parents and others waiting. An area with toys and books can keep children busy while waiting. This means less disruption for others in the waiting area, and it can be a way to relax the child if they are waiting for their own appointment.
9. Use of technology
A waiting room design essential in 2024 is utilising technology as much as you can. Free wi-fi, charging outlets and flat-screen TVs for displaying information make the overall experience modern and smooth. It can be used to promote your business as well by displaying company information on the TV or displaying a virtual tour.
10. Accessibility
Incorporating accessibility in your design is important for catering to all your patients. It is also a great way to give visitors a good first impression of your business and its values. Accessible design involves opening up the space in the venue, using direction signs, installing a hearing loop and more.
So there we have 10 essentials for your waiting room design in 2024. These are important to consider for clinic fit-outs, which HE Interiors has years of experience with. We create well-designed, functional and appealing clinic fit-outs for all medical sectors. To find out how we can help you, get in touch today.
