Medical office waiting rooms can be stressful for patients. Providing an inviting space to sit and relax is essential for comfort and efficiency. Adding lounge chairs, waiting room sofa and tables can help create a home-like feel to the room. Including tables allows individuals to place magazines and other items to keep them occupied while waiting.
waiting room sofa
Comfort of the Waiting Room Sofa
When individuals visit a business, medical clinic, hotel, daycare center or other establishment, they often find themselves waiting. This time can quickly lead to feelings of anxiety and dissatisfaction, especially when sitting for long periods on uncomfortably hard chairs. Fortunately, there are many ways you can keep your guests comfortable while they wait to be helped or entertained.
Providing the right seating options is an essential first step. You can choose from a variety of comfortable, modern waiting room chairs in different designs to suit your space. Many styles include features like stacking, nesting or a sled design to easily store chairs when your reception area needs to be cleaned. Additionally, upholstery comes in many fabric choices including leather for a more luxurious look and antimicrobial fabrics to resist bacteria buildup.
If you need to seat a larger group of people, consider opting for lounge chairs instead of individual seats. These versatile pieces are typically less expensive than upholstered waiting room chairs and can easily be repositioned to suit the layout of your reception area. They also come in a number of styles to fit your needs, including some with side and end tables for holding magazines or books. Some lounge chairs even offer power grommets to make it easy for guests to charge their electronics while they wait.
You should also think about adding entertainment and comforting amenities to your reception area to help your visitors get through their waits. This may include serving refreshments, offering free WiFi and displaying beautiful artwork or nature photos to soothe stress levels and prevent boredom. Finally, having a hand sanitizer dispenser in the waiting room is another great way to protect your guests from germs and illnesses while they wait. In addition to these amenities, ensuring your reception area is well-lit with natural or low lighting can promote a sense of professionalism and a welcoming atmosphere for your visitors.
Consider the Durability of the Waiting Room Sofa
As you shop for furniture to outfit your waiting room, you want a waiting room sofa that can stand up to busy use. Many guests will sit in the same chairs for several minutes at a time, so you need comfortable seating that doesn’t require much maintenance. Look for padded guest chairs, lounge chairs or sofas with wide seat bases that accommodate guests of all sizes. Some of these chairs have power grommets for charging electronic devices and some even feature a cup holder to keep refreshments handy.
You also need furniture that can handle spills and other everyday wear and tear. Look for models with antimicrobial fabrics and easy-to-clean upholstery, as these are the most sanitary choices for healthcare settings where germs can spread quickly from coughs, sneezes and other human activities. Many seating options are designed with minimal nooks and crannies, making them easy to wipe down, so they stay looking great even after prolonged use.
Some waiting room furniture is designed with a streamlined aesthetic that fits nicely with modern office decor while keeping a professional appearance. Others have more traditional silhouettes that complement existing furnishings in most any office design. Depending on your preferences and the overall feel of your reception area, consider choosing chairs with armrests or without. Many styles include armless designs for simple style and versatility, while some have ganged seating that allows you to seat multiple people in a compact space.
If you expect the number of guests in your waiting room to fluctuate, consider stackable or folding chairs that easily fit into storage areas when not in use. Chairs that sit on casters are another option that makes it easy to move your seating around as needed.
When shopping for waiting room furniture, make sure to check out the warranty coverage and return policy. This is particularly important if you choose custom upholstery options for your furniture, as these might not be returnable. You can also reduce the risk of buyer’s remorse by buying furniture from an established online retailer with a reputation for customer service.
Style
In addition to comfort, a waiting room sofa offers a home-like feel that helps visitors relax in an environment that can be stressful. Decorative accessories like flowers and plants promote a sense of well-being in the room. Side and end tables can be positioned around the sofa to hold magazines, books and other items that help individuals occupy themselves during their wait.
Medical office waiting rooms typically have more limited features than other business seating options but they still provide plenty of seating choices. Chairs are available in a variety of styles, upholsteries and features. They can be stackable, folding or nesting to reduce storage space requirements when not in use. Typically, these chairs have a simple base that can be 4 legs or sled style and are either armless or fully upholstered in fabric or mesh with some durable metal components. They can be upholstered in leather, antimicrobial or stain-resistant fabrics that are easy to clean.
Storage
Storage is an important consideration for waiting areas because many businesses rely on their reception spaces to showcase products, promote services and provide other customer-facing functions. This means there is often a lot of clutter that needs to be contained, including magazines, books, scale models and more. In addition, it’s essential to keep hand sanitizer dispensers in place to prevent the spread of germs in these high-traffic spaces. Decor and artwork also add aesthetic value to the space, distracting patients from stress, anxiety and boredom as they wait.
Choose waiting room sofas with ample storage and decorative elements to make your reception area feel inviting and welcoming for everyone who visits your office. Shop for these items today at Arenson. Our furniture specialists are standing by to help you select the perfect piece of reception furniture for your business.
