Your waiting room provides clients or patients with their first major impression of your service. A combination of an inviting atmosphere, comfort, and easy maintenance can make your waiting area stand head and shoulders above the rest. Follow these tips to design the perfect waiting room.
Tip #1: Choose the Right Colors
No one likes to wait, so your waiting room should encourage a feeling of calm and tranquility to help counteract the frustration of a wait time. Cool colors and neutral tones are the way to achieve this. When choosing a color palette, look to the permanent fixtures in the room like flooring and choose a wall color to complement it. For example, if the flooring already has color, opt for neutral walls, or vice versa.
You can add a pop of color to help with wayfinding. For example, use a warmer hue around the reception area or the door leading from the waiting room to help direct client attention to these necessary areas. Just avoid overly bold colors like brilliant reds or bright yellows, as they can make people feel anxious.
Tip #2: Protect Stress Areas
Certain areas will be more prone to stress than others. Corners tend to experience more wear, as do door frames and walls behind chairs and other furniture items. Walls may be prone to additional stresses in waiting rooms that serve populations with mobility issues or those that use a variety of mobility devices.
Flush-mounted corner guards will protect your wall covering and paint without creating a surface that can snag on passersby. Guards are also available for doorway installation. Chair rails are an option for damage prevention behind furniture.
Tip #3: Create a Comfortable Layout
Your layout must be inviting and utilitarian. Instead of rows of seating, create comfortable seating zones. Larger clusters of chairs around coffee tables are great if you expect groups in the waiting room. Small clusters of chairs facing inward toward each other, with small side tables interspersed, provide a more relaxing arrangement with a feeling of privacy for singles and pairs in the waiting room.
If you expect wheelchairs in the waiting room, then aisles must be wider than 24 inches. Make sure the furniture and aisle layouts also allow for wheelchairs to be turned around.
Tip #4: Make Reception Inviting
The reception desk must be easy to recognize so that it captures the client’s attention as soon as they enter the waiting room. Use a different but complimentary paint palette to set this area apart from the rest of the room. Signage should also be highly visible so clients know exactly what to do as they approach the desk.
A stepped reception counter is a good design option. It should be about 30 inches tall on the receptionist side so that they are comfortable when seated and 42 inches on the client side so the client can remain standing. The only exception is if many of your clients are in wheelchairs. In this case, you should have a flat counter that is the same height on both sides.
Tip #5: Put Cleanliness First
Never overlook maintenance issues. A semi-glossy or gloss wall paint is usually better than matte and eggshell options simply because gloss paints wipe clean more easily. Paint can also be easier to repair, compared to other wall covering options, since you can simply touch up damage if it occurs.
On the other hand, some wall paper and covering options are more impervious to stains and germs. If you opt for a wall covering, avoid non-coated papers or fabric coverings since these can be more difficult to clean and they may absorb dirt and germs.
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