Thoughtful furniture design and calm neutral decor have a significant effect on patient response in healthcare environments, and could also be responsible for influencing patient behaviour. This is apparent in both the encouragement of recovery and in the promotion of respect for working and living environments. A positive ambiance is also reported to encourage a sense of social responsibility and community cohesion.
Most people talk about the cold sterility of hospitals of yesteryear when asked to recall their memories of hospital treatment. The first thing that sprung to mind was an impression of the décor, and particularly of the hospitals’ furniture. The way it looked, the way it felt and even its unique aroma possessed a distinctive character, typified by hard chairs, tacky surfaces, garish fabrics and mismatched designs.
Aesthetics were not high in the list of priorities back then, and the idea of creating an ambient tone was unheard of. Thankfully things are changing for the better, and the benefits of a more holistic and patient-centered approach to hospital interior decoration are increasingly being recognised. Some forward-thinking hospitals have been known to consult psychologists in order to ascertain which colours provoke positive moods, and feelings of joy and serenity.
Interior designers working across the full range of healthcare projects, including hospitals, nursing/care homes and mental health units, now consider furniture to be an essential element within an overall scheme. And it’s not just patients who are being considered. The comfort and general well-being of patient visitors is also being considered by interior designers, particularly when selecting hospital furniture. The provision of tasteful, comfortable seating for visitors is a key factor in reducing stress and helping to maintain a calm ambiance.
Specialist healthcare furniture manufacturer Knightsbridge Furniture has been working with architects Nightingale Associates in this hitherto largely unexplored area, gaining some interesting results. Both companies are working together to ensure a careful balance of colour, fabric, structure, style and function to meet individual needs and expectations.
Bradford based Knightsbridge Furniture have been producing specialist furniture for the Healthcare industry for a number of years, and have consequently become a trusted NHS Furniture supplier. Their understanding of the individual furniture constraints and requirements of each sector of the healthcare industry makes them both an authority on the subject, and a valuable source of reliable advice.
One example of Knightsbridge putting their extensive knowledge into practice was in the production of a range of Extreme furniture for challenging or high-stress environments, such as secure units and mental health facilities. The incorporation of special weighting and the exclusion of metal components or visible stitching are just two of the ways in which the seating has been designed with the aim of preventing it from being used in a threatening or self-harming context. The manufacturer has also ensured that there is no spacing between arms and seat, to avoid potential concealment pockets. Yet the furniture is far from utilitarian in visual appeal: the club chairs, for example, have been covered in warm, luxurious leather, and subsequently, have been treated with respect and dignity.
