The principal trends in the interior design of hospitality spaces in the recent years has been incorporating nature into our environments. It has been well documented that exposure to nature has a calming/healing effect on humans. In healthcare design in particular there has been a focus away from the institutional, sterile environments to more residential type environments, incorporating nature in the materials, color and graphics selected. Interior design trends in healthcare are focused largely on comfort and easing anxieties, as well different layouts and ease of use. The following are the principal trends that should be incorporated in Healthcare Facilities.
Wayfinding
A common feature in retail and hospitality flooring designs, wayfinding is a must-have feature in healthcare interior design. Wayfinding is the idea that flooring designs, patterns and colors can serve as a map to give people a clear guide throughout large, unfamiliar places and with COVID-19 calling for strictly enforced social distancing, using floor layouts to guide people and their spacing has never been more important.
The trends now, are to move away from a facility with the same floor and pattern though out. There are infinite options for flooring that are both durable and uniquely designed for creating a clear and distinct pathway that is easy and aesthetically pleasing.
Selecting the right material, furnish, colors, and graphics are the most important part of healthcare interior design. This selection and placement should be designed to direct people from waiting room to exam room, therefore assisting in clarifying the wayfinding and reducing anxiety.
Transparency
Storefront visibility that allows arriving patients to observe the activities that occur within the building sets them at the ease and reduce the anxiety of what to expect.
Our patients are inside the clinic, windows to the exterior allows them to identify interior and exterior landmarks, similarly, transparency within the clinics to show group activities, i.e. activity room, physical therapy is important.
Art
Incorporating Art & Graphics into healthcare environments is an important element to move away from a sterile environment and closer to a residential and health-spa type environment. These elements reduce stress and add something for patients to focus on/and distract them from their current anxiety/ailments.
A Home Away from Home
Creating an atmosphere that is more residential in feel than commercial/institutional is an important design trend to reduce stress, anxiety and increase the calming atmosphere of a home like environment. Incorporating floor walls, counter materials that resemble natural materials is essential. With the latest advances in synthetic materials there many options in LVT, counter tops and laminates available. These new products option has been designed to meet the healthcare industry requirements including durability, infection control and ease of maintenance.
Versatile Waiting Areas
The waiting area in healthcare facilities is where many patients used to spend large amounts of time waiting. After COVID-19, much of that changed. Updated waiting areas are being designed to be easily changed, moved around, and cleaned. Additionally, there are more areas with USB outlets and plugs to help pass the time for families or individuals who what to stay in touch with family or entertained with their mobile devices. These elements bring many of the touches of home into a healthcare space, and can make life easier for patients, and even healthcare providers.
The selection of materials for furniture should be durable as well as aesthetically coordinated with the remaining material selection to create a relaxing, homelike environment, which incorporates simulated natural materials, color, art, and graphics to create an atmosphere similar to a health-spa or wellness center.
Using different seating types and layouts to accommodate a variety of health conditions. Benches and sofas can provide extra spaces for patients which are obese or have physical disabilities. Configuring seating in flexible grouping is essential to avoid the institutional layout of endless rows and seats.
Conclusion
These trends are only a few of the many that we implement into our designs to create a more inviting and comfortable atmosphere for everyone. It is important to understand the trends in today's design and incorporate them into a healthcare setting. For this, you may want to hire professionals in this field and allow them to create the spaces that you desire. TAG can develop an architectural and interior design palette that provides a range of choices that fall within a large healthcare network identity