When designing the interior of a clinic, it is important to consider the customer’s journey, from start to finish. As a healthcare establishment, it is especially vital for patients to be put at ease and design plays an unexpected role in this.
Comfort is Key
It is paramount that your clients feel comfortable in the clinic. As a space that can make many patients feel vulnerable or anxious, little changes in the interior can make a big difference. For example, deciding to dedicate a larger space of the reception area to quality, comfortable chairs for customers to sit on is something that can have a big impact on the success of a clinic.
Personal space must also be considered, especially in the current climate and given the nature of most clinics. Ensuring that there is adequate distance between chairs or places where people are waiting can allow them to feel more secure. Furniture that stores magazines and other informational reading material, or other display elements, must also be factored in.
An Inviting Reception
Clients are usually received in a room to wait when they enter the clinic. This is an important part of a customer’s journey that is often forgotten about or neglected. Having a reception area that is vibrant, inviting and comfortable is key to making them feel welcome in the clinic.
It is vital to make a good first impression. There are numerous ways to greet patients when they come in, from using smart technology to having a front desk where they can sign in. Consider whether you want your welcome area and waiting room to be separate, this can then be factored in during the design process.
Think Lighting
The importance of lighting in design cannot be overestimated in clinic interior design. It takes on greater significance and has to be especially considered in a clinic since it must serve two purposes: functional and aesthetic. Observation or examination rooms, as well as treatment rooms, must have bright lighting. Focus lights can also be fitted depending on the requirements. In a dentist’s office or an ophthalmology clinic, these may be required.
The lighting in the reception area and waiting room can be dimmed to help your patients relax while they wait. If your clinic is tiny or there are sections where numerous services can be performed, consider installing lights that can be adjusted in brightness depending on the situation.
Maximising natural light in your clinic is one of the best things you can do. Using windows to your advantage in the design phase of a fit-out or refurbishment can ensure that you are working with this light and not against it.
Functional Spaces
Most important about any space is that it works. Dentist clinics, doctor’s clinics, and cosmetic clinics must all put practicality and functionality first when considering a refurbishment or fit out. This involves considering the patient’s particular requirements. Ensuring that all the appropriate facilities are available, from
Great clinic interior design should prioritise patients. A children’s clinic might need a colourful and fun space with lots of activities and baby-changing stations, whereas a handicap clinic will need to prioritise accessibility above anything aesthetic.
The Importance of Flooring
Flooring can also play a vital role in the overall appearance and appeal of a space. It is common for corridors and walkways to have patterns, symbols or lettering on the floor to make clear paths where patients can easily find and access the relevant care areas.
As well as being aesthetically pleasing, the flooring in a clinic must be highly durable and practical. It will have to withstand a high level of footfall and be suitable for cleaning and sanitising on a regular basis. Rubber and LVT flooring are especially popular in clinic interior design as it comes with a protective coating that can withstand scratches from machinery passing through or general scuffs.
Make it Unique
Colours can impact how we feel in a space. They have the ability to brighten a room and make a certain impression on customers. Designing a white, airy space is usually a good option if you are wanting to fit out a clinic as it makes the space seem appropriately clean and surgical. However, some pops of colour can add a personal touch. Consider the subtle use of a specific colour throughout the building, perhaps one that matches the branding of the business, as this can make the clinic recognisable to competition and customers.
Using a range of materials can also help to make a space more appealing. Clinics are usually mechanical and harsh environments, and can therefore often benefit from the lightness and comfort materials like timber create, especially in a reception room. Wood is a great alternative to make a clinic feel more relaxed and help to soften the mood. Wooden structures throughout a building can also help to divide up a space and create sections of privacy without making it feel confined and cramped.
If you are looking to refurbish or fit out your clinic in the South West, let us know.
