How To Make Your Waiting Room Visitor Friendly

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How To Make Your Waiting Room Visitor Friendly
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• Waiting rooms can become neglected places and
  with high traffic they eventually show signs of
  wear and tear which often gets overlooked and
  left to deteriorate.
• You dont have to spend a fortune to transform
  your waiting room but some small actions can make
  a big difference to how it looks and feels.
• Whatever type of organisation youre responsible
  for, whether its a doctors surgery with a large
  waiting room or a car repair garage with a small
  room and a couple of chairs, making it visitor
  friendly can enhance the perception of your
  establishment and help create a positive first
  impression.

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Waiting Room Chairs

• Replacing your waiting room chairs can be a big
  expense but if this is something you can afford
  then there are a wide range of options to choose
  from.
• Upholstered seating with integral foam padding
  will always be the most comfortable option so
  unless this is totally impractical for your
  establishment (ie if it is at high risk of
  vandalism) then opt for this.
• Pictured below are just some examples of
  individual upholstered waiting room chairs with
  wooden frames, metal frames and with the options
  of stacking and linking, and integral arms.

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• This is just a small selection of the standard
  type waiting room chairs that are available.
• If you want something more plush then you can
  look for fully upholstered chairs, arm chairs,
  sofas or modular seating units.

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Beam Seating

• If you want your seating to be a more permanent
  fixture then floor fixed beam seating is a
  practical option which can also look stylish.
• Pictured below are some examples of beam seating
  in a doctors surgery, NHS hospital corridor and
  sports company office reception area.
• It shows how the use of color can make a big
  impact and brighten up a space.

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Childrens Area

• If children are regular visitors to your
  establishment then its important you make
  provision for them in your waiting room,
  particularly if wait times can be long.
• Some organizations provide a separate waiting
  room for visitors with children and if space
  permits this is usually a good idea.
• If this isnt an option then a play corner or a
  small area with some lower height seats will show
  that you are thinking about your younger
  visitors.
• Pictured below are some childrens seating
  options including deeply cushioned drum,
  cresecent, oval and hexagon shaped stools, and a
  co-ordinating range of seating with matching play
  table.

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Décor

• Never under-estimate the power of a lick of paint
  in being able to totally transform a space.
• Waiting room walls can easily become marked and
  dirty so its advisable to use a hard-wearing and
  washable paint and ensure any marks are cleaned
  on a daily basis to prevent them becoming
  ingrained or built up.
• If you opt for plain white walls you can brighten
  up the space with colorful upholstery fabric on
  your waiting room chairs or if you want colorful
  walls you can either go all out and also have
  colorful chairs or choose something neutral.

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Layout

• This is another key factor in the user
  friendliness of your waiting room and its vital
  the configuration of your waiting room chairs
  allows easy access and movement throughout the
  space.
• You need to ensure there is clear access for
  wheelchair users and where applicable, prams and
  pushchairs.
• Also check that there is enough space between
  individual chairs so your visitors dont feel
  like theyre sat too close together.
• If your chairs are positioned in rows check there
  is sufficient leg space and also room for
  visitors to pass those already seated if they
  need to get to a chair further down the row.

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Maintenance

• Once youve created the best waiting you can in
  the space you have available its important it
  remains clean and tidy.
• Regular maintenance will keep your waiting room
  looking its best and ensure that any wear and
  tear is dealt with as it occurs to prevent any
  long term damage.

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Feedback

• If youre not sure where to start, ask your
  visitors what they think about your current
  waiting room and how it could be improved.
• You can also spend a bit of time sat in the
  waiting room whilst Its in use so you can judge
  first hand what the problems are and what you
  could do to resolve them.
• A waiting room is often the gateway to an
  organization where first impressions are formed
  by visitors.
• If you want them to feel positive about your
  establishment then its important to get it right.

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Thank You
More Information www.evertaut.co.uk