Current Trends in Healthcare Design

By Jennifer Turner | Posted October 1, 2014

We continue to see more and more healthcare clinics opening in our communities. These days we are able to visit small clinic settings rather than spending a day at the hospital. One of the current trends is to create a clinic with a residential feel. We are currently utilizing more wood-look items such as flooring in waiting rooms and plastic laminate wood-look cabinets. We are also incorporating resin accent panels to add a natural element into public spaces.

Live plants such as orchids, non-fragrant flowers or greenery are used to add a level of warmth along with framed artwork and accessories.

Some clinics even offer coffee, water or specialty refreshments to give the patient or visitor more of a spa experience. Soothing music is replacing the sound of a blaring television. Many clinics still incorporate a television but use a scene such as an underwater aquarium, mountain or beach scenery to promote wellness.

A residential spa-like approach can be taken while keeping cleanliness and maintenance in mind. Resilient wood plank flooring is now offered in a variety of colors. This flooring material can easily be cleaned daily and requires no wax which saves on yearly maintenance costs.

We have also introduced the use of mosaic glass tile as an accent behind a coffee or refreshment bar. Using mosaic glass tile as a feature in small areas can create a polished upscale appearance while keeping within a modest budget.

Wood-look plastic laminate or a rigid sheet is available to add a wood appearance to casework or an accent wall. Rigid sheet can be adhered to existing gypsum wall board which is your typical wall construction while plastic laminate will need a plywood or medium density fiberboard (MDF) substrate.

One of the current trends which we have seen take off within the past five years has been resin panels. These panels resemble the look of a frosted or specialty glass without the weight and cost. Many of the resin panels have the appearance of leaves, grasses and organic patterns. With this material we are able to create artwork, divider panels in registration bays, and accent panels on registration or nurse stations.

Bright and vibrant blue, green or yellow paint colors can add a feeling of energy to a room. On many occasions we have used a bold paint color on the reception wall and a lighter paint color for the other walls in the room. This approach also assists with way finding. Your eye is immediately drawn to the brighter paint color giving you a sense of direction.

Furniture adds color and texture to a room with the use of patterned fabrics. Commercial fabrics are important to use in a healthcare clinic because of maintenance, durability and flame retardant characteristics. Many of the commercial fabrics we see today are no longer bland with only solid colors. We are seeing bold hospitality type fabrics with patterns and colors to help tie in the overall color scheme.

Bright fabrics are also incorporated into pediatric waiting areas to create a fun and playful atmosphere for kids and adults alike.

Creating a clinic that has a residential feel while keeping within a tight budget is easily achieved through the correct placement of materials and accessories. Use vinyl composition tile with accent colors in clinical areas such as exam rooms, nurse’s stations, clean/ soiled rooms and other areas that do not require sheet flooring. Material appropriateness is a key consideration in healthcare. Paint is not a high construction cost and can be used to add color throughout the entire clinic. Accents such as resin panels can be used in small areas such as reception desks, nurse stations and children’s play areas. Planning according to material sheet sizes will save on material waste giving you more look for your money. Using corner guards, bumper rails and wall guards will help prevent wear and tear on your walls saving you from future repair costs. These wall protection items also come in a wood look to add to the residential feel. Resilient wood plank is a relatively minor cost when used in a reception area. There are many ways to create a residential or spa like feel in any clinic setting. For additional information on how to transform your current space within budget contact MHAworks. We would be happy to assist you.