What do you first think when walking into an office or waiting room? Well, it all depends on the room in question, doesn’t it? What impression does it give off? And how much does that impression affect your view of the person whom you’re visiting? Your medical office decor influences your patients’ expectations and sets the stage for a satisfying customer experience.
To an outpatient, your waiting room speaks volumes before they’ve even met you. And it might not always speak kindly. Therefore, it’s important to consider the decor of your lobby, waiting room, or office as the first impression your patients will have of you.
First off, it’s highly important, especially for medical and surgical centers, for these rooms to be sanitary. But what shouldn’t be overlooked is that these rooms should look sanitary as well. Light colors and polished surfaces can give off a sense of cleanliness that will make out-patients feel they’re in the right place: a place that takes germs and sanitization seriously. A shiny counter and sparkling windows could draw in out-patients who’ve become more germophobic during the coronavirus pandemic.
Minimalism and the less-is-more outlook are very popular these days. People don’t like clutter; it makes them feel disorganized and messy. Going overboard with the decorative plants and having too much furniture could give the impression that you’re not the tidy, put-together person they were hoping for. What patient wants a messy doctor?
However, an extremely minimalist medical office could cause the patient to think that you’re unimaginative, bland, too rigid. If an out-patient thinks of their doctor as a robot, they might consider seeking more human medical professionals–experts they can comfortably confide in.
Another thing to consider when picking out your decor is the price range of your clientele. Fancy, expensive decorations and posh furniture could cause patients and clients to walk in and feel this service might be above their pay grade and insurance. They might walk right out again, feeling overwhelmed and thinking they can’t afford your service when in fact they can. However, if your regular clientele is higher up than the average pay grade, then they might like to see some pricy furniture and know they’re not in too cheap a place.
Also, consider the size of the room. A small office could feel squished or cozy. A large one, spacious or empty. These are all things to carefully consider when designing any space your patients will see.