Buying the right health care furniture for your clinic, hospital, or health care center can be a daunting task. There are many factors to consider, such as the amount of space available, the amount of money you have, and the design of the room itself. Choosing the right furniture is often overlooked, but can be one of the most important decisions to make for your clinic. This post will cover some aspects you should keep in mind before purchasing new furniture. 

Importance Of High-quality Furniture

People’s opinions of your business are often influenced by the location where they wait. This is as true for business as it is for clinics or GP waiting rooms. When you invest in quality, your clients will be calm and relaxed when you meet with them. 

Invest In Comfortable Furniture

Comfort is arguably the most essential factor for these types of chairs. You want your patients to be relaxed and enjoy the experience. While some people will always be in a hurry no matter what you do, you will ease most of their frustration as long as you have somewhere comfortable for them to sit. Furthermore, comfortable waiting room chairs can create an excellent first impression for new patients and keep existing ones happy. Additionally, there is the possibility that many patients will be elderly, which further necessitates the need for comfort. However, comfort shouldn’t come at the expense of durability. There are several durable and comfortable options available, including:

  • Pocketed coil systems: They have individual coils that are pocketed to provide even weight distribution. In most coil mattresses, the coils are covered with foam both on top and below, with the top layer being relatively soft and cushioned.
  • Metal: Metal is the most affordable and robust, but not the most comfortable.
  • Fabricated foam: This material is widespread among upholstered office chairs. Depending on its density, this type of foam will be softer or firmer. In general, the denser the foam, the longer-lasting it will be.
  • Molded foam: Molded foam provides more consistent support and can retain its shape for a more extended period than fabricated foam. The result is a more contoured and comfortable feeling but is a pricier option.
  • Memory foam: Memory foam seats provide exceptional comfort and support. Moreover, these materials are hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant, making them ideal for hospitals and GP surgeries. However, these benefits come at a price.

Make Durability And Longevity A Priority

Aside from comfort, you will need your waiting room furniture to be robust enough to last for many years without the need for replacement. This furniture can be a considerable investment, and you don’t want to be thinking about replacing it every other year. In addition, there is wasted time involved in refitting. Some materials you should think about include:

  • Standard fabric: This type of material is not usually considered appropriate for healthcare settings, but it is affordable;e, comes in a variety of patterns and colors and can be reupholstered easily.
  • Crypton Fiber: Crypton fiber is a unique fabric with a liquid-resistant back, making it closer to the vinyl than other fabrics. Nevertheless, it is pricey and requires the use of special cleaners to keep the waterproof layer intact.
  • PVC-Free Vinyl: Suitable for most healthcare settings, PVC-free vinyl does not permit moisture to pass through. It emits no odor because it is PVC-free, so it is a great choice when indoor air quality is an issue. Nevertheless, because it doesn’t contain PVC, it can degrade over time from rough handling and cleaning. Visually, it can also appear unappealing, which might be a factor when setting up a children’s ward.
  • Vinyl: Vinyl has similar qualities to PVC-free vinyl, but is far easier to maintain and keep clean. While it isn’t cheap, it is hard-wearing, so it should last longer, and you can also select a broader range of styles.

In addition to the aesthetics of the material, you will need to consider materials that are easy to sanitize. You will already have a regular cleaning system in place, but new furniture could interrupt existing solutions. Therefore, you should consult your cleaning company once you have purchased your new furniture, so they know how to keep your furniture free of bacteria.

Be Aware Of Your Budget

Although you certainly don’t want to skimp when selecting the right furniture for your clinic; you should consider how much you are willing to spend. As we discussed previously regarding the different materials, each option has its benefits and drawbacks. Your decision will depend on whether or not you want to make a substantial initial investment or are willing to update every other year.

Choose Mood-Enhancing Colors

Color design covers all materials and surfaces in the waiting area and can have a large impact on mood. The color, texture, and lighting in a waiting room can significantly reduce stress. You can achieve visually calming environments through good design. Yellow colors can boost self-confidence and encourage optimism, reducing feelings of fear. Brown colors have also been shown to elicit feelings of stability and security, both of which are vital for patients worried about their health.

Choose A Reputable Manufacturer

Having a good supplier makes all the difference. The last thing you want is to invest a significant amount of money only to find out that when you need your furniture replaced or reupholstered, the company has gone out of business. While this isn’t the worst thing in the world, it is an annoyance you don’t want to deal with when running a busy surgery. Therefore, do your research and ask around others in the industry to see who they use.

Think About The Layout

The size and shape of your waiting room will considerably impact what options are available to you. For example, you might have limited space, in which case you might need individual chairs placed in close proximity. On the other hand, if you have enough space, you can opt for modular style sofas that look amazing and make your patients feel at home.

Stick To Your Style

If you already have a specific style, it is best to stay as faithful to it as possible to avoid any jarring changes. You likely have regulars, and for some people, too much change can cause undue stress. Therefore, when buying new furniture, try to keep within your existing aesthetic wherever possible.

Hopefully, the above tips will help you get fantastic health care furniture for your clinic. By considering the above factors, you can be sure that you are making an intelligent decision when you choose your healthcare furniture.