There’s a lot to be said about furniture and decor in healthcare. The colours, accessories, and furniture pieces all play an integral role in creating a warm and comfortable environment. That’s why choosing the right pieces is essential to setting the right tone for your office, and it all starts with selecting the perfect seating.
Here are some tips when choosing the ideal seating for your healthcare facility’s area.
Layout
The size of your space will dictate how many pieces you can work with and the exact layout that you can configure that will work best with the square footage that you’ve got. Chairs lined up against walls and clustered into groups tend to be rather popular in healthcare settings. Consider the type of people that your space will be able to comfortably support before you decide on a layout. After you’ve come up with this blueprint, choosing the right furniture will be a much easier process.
Numbers and Sizes of Seats
Tally up the approximate average number of people come through your office doors daily. For healthcare settings, your waiting room may have to be able to accommodate seating anywhere between 10 to 30 patients at a time, depending on how large your practice is and what the average wait times are. Be sure to leave enough standing room if the space gets crowded.
While there are standard sizes for most waiting room chairs, you should also think about including a couple of larger seating options as well. A good rule of thumb is to have one oversized seat for every 6 to 8 chairs in your reception area. These types of chairs will help to accommodate larger guests or those who require much more seating space for other reason. Your visitors will appreciate the gesture.
Seating Types
There are various types of seats that you can choose:
Attached seats – These work well in spaces where patients will not have to wait long. Again, consider the average wait times in your office before choosing these types of seats. They also work well in high traffic areas since they can’t be moved. They’re also great for saving space in smaller areas.
Modular seating – If you change the layout of your space frequently, modular seating can help you achieve a modern look. They’re available in durable materials, and are ideal for small or growing spaces.
Mix and match pieces – These pieces help to avoid an institutional feel that medical facilities can often have. They can also accommodate a variety of different seating preferences.
Material
Perhaps the most important consideration to make for your seating is the upholstery. Not only do you want the chairs to be comfortable, you also want them to be easily cleaned and not absorb germs that are frequently widespread in a medical office. Plastic and vinyl chair coverings are the most sanitary options for healthcare environments.
You’ll find a wide array of vinyl selections that are specially treated to avoid the spread of germs, and are also resistant to stains and bacteria. Polyester covers are also comfortable and easy to clean with a damp cloth and a small amount of soap. Leather is also an option, and can last for years requiring nothing more than a wipe down to clean.
For all your healthcare furnishing needs, be sure to contact Unichairs today!