A comfortable, soothing patient room improves healing and supports patients’ well-being. Small changes can make a dramatic difference and help patients feel more in control and valued. Discover four design tips for a more comfortable patient room.
1. Use Flexible and Ergonomic Furniture
Furnish the hospital room with pieces that provide adequate support and cushioning. To choose the right hospital bed for patients, consider their mobility levels, medical conditions, and therapeutic requirements. A quality bed improves restorative sleep and eases pain.
Additionally, visitors help relieve patients’ anxiety and confusion. Make visitors feel more welcome with ergonomic armchairs and sofas that put them at ease.
Mocka NZ recommends opting for adjustable furniture that can adapt to different needs. Reclining chairs, height-adjustable tables, and footrests can enhance comfort for both patients and visitors. These features allow for better posture support and ease of movement, creating a more accommodating and relaxing environment in the hospital room.
2. Feature a Calming Color Palette
Another design tip for a more comfortable patient room is to feature a cool, soothing color palette. Blues, purples, and greens in muted hues promote relaxation and tranquility.
In general, it’s best to avoid vibrant colors because they can feel overwhelming. Mix soft cool colors with warm neutral tones—such as blue walls with warm-toned wood—to create more visual depth and an inviting look.
3. Provide Multifunctional Lighting
Patient rooms are multifunctional spaces that require flexible lighting designs. Proper lighting not only improves functionality but also helps create a comforting ambience.
Task lighting is essential for care teams and patients during certain activities, such as physical therapy. Ambient lights on dimming controls can help transition patients from wakefulness to sleep.
Different zones in the patient room have different lighting requirements. The bathroom is a hygiene area that requires bright light turned on by a switch or sensor. The clinical zone should be well-lit for medical teams. The patient’s bed area requires task lighting for exams and patient-controlled lighting for personal preferences.
4. Encourage Personalization
While there’s a limit to how much patients can bring into their hospital rooms, personal belongings can help them maintain a sense of identity and improve recovery. Seeing items such as photos, artwork, and mementos can improve their mood.
Let patients know what they can bring and suggest the types of items they may appreciate having with them during their stay. For example, if your facility allows patients to bring their own pillows or blankets, the patient may want to do so to make their bed feel more like their own.
Ergonomic furniture, a calming color palette, multifunctional lighting, and patient personalization transform patient rooms into soothing and hospitable spaces. Improve your care facility’s design with these practical tips.
