Top tips for choosing hospital furniture

Hospitals should appear serene and welcoming to patients, staff, and visitors. Due to the nature of hospitals, many individuals find the hospital environment unpleasant to be in, which is made worse by the dated furniture and dull decor. The best way for hospitals to instantly improve the experience of individuals visiting the hospital is through new hospital furniture. So, if you are redesigning a healthcare facility, what criteria should be followed when choosing hospital furniture? Here are some tips:

1. Check the furniture frame

Strong frames mean that the furniture can withstand a significant amount of weight. Whether it is a chair, a table or a stand, ask questions about whether the structure was oven dried or not. Oven-dried boards are better because they aren’t affected by humidity, moisture or any other external factors.

2. Buy your hospital furniture from a credible manufacturer

Buying furniture from reputable British furniture manufacturers for healthcare facilities means that you are less likely to purchase furniture of poor quality or furniture that is not suitable for medical environments. Good manufacturers abide by the standard HTM 63 and HTM 71 thresholds requirements for hospitals.

3. Choose a style and stick to it

You should decide on the style and colour scheme of the area you would like to create when choosing hospital furniture, and clarify your design preferences to your furniture manufacturer. For example, soft and soothing fabrics will provide your patients with a calm and relaxing environment compared to a room decorated with fiery bright coloured materials. In general, hospital furniture should be made from durable materials that are easy to clean and keep infection-free.

4. Divide your budget

It’s easy to get carried away when designing a new room and focus on the aesthetics of different pieces of healthcare furniture rather than what your client can afford. For private healthcare facilities, patients expect a higher standard of furniture and it can be difficult to meet these requirements while staying within a budget. To avoid this problem, prioritise the areas that need new furniture in the establishment and have a clear budget for different departments within your healthcare facility.

By following the above tips, you will be able to choose the right furniture for your client and create an environment that undoubtedly looks more pleasant and warm for anyone who walks through the doors.

Choosing hospital furniture – where to find out more

At David Bailey Furniture Systems, we have been manufacturing fitted furniture for the hospital and other private healthcare environments for over 35 years. Our factory is in Broadstairs, Kent in the UK and we have provided furniture for many NHS hospitals and private hospitals, including Wexham Park, Guy’s & St Thomas’, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Spire Hospitals and University College London Hospital (UCLH), as well as many regional hospitals around England and Wales.

Visit our Hospital Furniture page to find out more. Or get in touch to find out how we can help if you’re an architect specifying furniture for a hospital or other healthcare environment or a contractor looking for a reliable and quality manufacturer of hospital furniture.