There are a lot of options when it comes to choosing the right medical office furniture, and finding the perfect fit for your practice’s unique needs can be a challenge. Check out our guide to making the right choice for you below, then take a look at our wide selection of healthcare furniture to make your final decision.

Types of Doctor Office Furniture

Waiting Room Furniture

One often overlooked consideration for waiting room furniture is how comforting it is for patients and loved ones. Furniture should be comfortable and inviting; avoid falling into the trap of forgetting this point and ending up with an intimidating and uncomfortable environment.

So how do you create this comfortable space? That depends on your practice. Do you work with children often? Consider a designated children's’ waiting area with smaller furniture and a bookshelf for books. Are you a dentist who often sees patients come in with anxiety about their upcoming visit? Try incorporating calming elements like plants, artwork, and a more open floor plan.

Let your patients’ common needs guide you, and you’ll surely end up with a room that is welcoming to new patients and considerate of common pain points.

Exam Room Furniture

For obvious reasons, choosing exam room furniture requires a few extra considerations when compared to waiting room furniture.

Not only do you want to consider making your exam room as comfortable as possible, you’ll also want to choose healthcare furnishings that make it easy to follow protocols and keep patients healthy.

Exam rooms typically see a lot of patients going in and out on a regular basis, so you should think about the ease of turnover when it comes to your furniture. Choose antimicrobial fabrics, and add cleaning and storage solutions for frequently used medical instruments. The quicker you can clean up after the last patients, the sooner you can help the next one.

Healthcare Furniture: Features to Consider

Patient Comfort/Ergonomics

Patient comfort isn’t just about creating a warm and soothing environment; you’ll need to make sure individual pieces of furniture are comfortable as well. Consider the many shapes and sizes of patients you may see; do you have the right furniture to accommodate their needs? For example, larger chairs may be needed for heavier patients, or you may want to look into specialty furniture that accommodates the needs of your patients with disabilities.

Durability

Nice furniture is great, but it’s not so great when it only lasts for a month. When purchasing your office’s next furniture package, look into the materials and manufacturers. Is everything easy to clean? Is it made with reliable, long-lasting materials? Also think about the rate of use in your practice. Will you need a strong piece of furniture meant to be used extensively, or could you opt for a less expensive option that won’t be used frequently?

Cost

Of course, we’d stock our practices with the highest-quality furniture available if we had unlimited funds. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case, so we recommend starting by taking an inventory of your practice’s most pressing needs. Consider which furniture elements cover the most bases, and look for low-cost furniture options from a medical supply store.

The Balancing Act of Choosing Medical Furnishings

There are many factors to consider when you buy healthcare office furniture, and sometimes it’s a balancing act between patient needs, practitioner needs, and funding. Sometimes, the easiest way to get to a decision is by seeking input from those who will be using the furniture most. Ask your patients what they want and discuss common needs with your colleagues and staff. You may be surprised to learn that some expensive choices don’t add the value you anticipated or that an inexpensive upgrade could revolutionize your office.

Still struggling? Contact us today, and we’ll help guide you to the perfect medical office furniture for your practice, your patients, and you.