As a health care professional with your own place, interior design for clinics is an important topic to take into consideration.

People form a strong impression about your practice based on the environment they encounter as soon as they walk into your reception room. That’s why the decor your set up can determine whether walk-ins become patients and whether first-time patients stick with you in the long-term.

There are lots of factors that go into interior design for clinics. You want all your clinic to exude professionalism, but also warmth, comfort, and trust. What you don’t want to communicate is coldness–you know, that stereotypical hospital feel.

Fortunately, interior design for clinics isn’t as complicated as it may seem. Decorating your place can even be a lot of fun! Here are 5 essential tips to follow when working on your clinic’s decor.

#1. Choose Bright Color Schemes

One of the reasons people feel so nervous at hospitals (besides the thought of threats to your health) is because of the sterile white or blue they so often use. That, combined with the cool temperature settings (necessary in a health care setting) make people feel like they’re in a freezer about to be dissected like a frog.

You can avoid giving off that kind of feel by going with a more lively color palette. Bold and colorful is what you want. Reds, yellows, greens, purples. Interior design for clinics should bring people’s mood up, not down! For best effect, hang-up some elegant art.

#2. You Can’t Go Wrong with Wooden Flooring

In a clinical setting, you definitely want a floor that’s smooth. Carpet just isn’t adequate for the sanitary environment your clinic should be.

Nevertheless, it’s key you forego the typical choice of tile and laminated flooring. Like the white walls, they feel to alien, too off-putting.

Wooden floors are homey, comfortable, attractive, and sophisticated. They’re easy to clean. Wood is definitely best for all the rooms in your clinic.

#3. Avoid Low Lighting

Low lighting makes your clinic feel dull. And at all costs stay away from fluorescent lights. Not only does the lighting they produce make for a really unattractive atmosphere; the constant humming will annoy the pants off your patients (and staff)!

#4. Furnish Your Clinic with Comfortable Seating

If you want to make your patients’ wait miserable, fill your lobby with hard, cold metal chairs that hurt everyone’s back.

Proper interior design for clinics done means buying presentable, cushioned, comfy chairs that a patient can sink into like a cloud. Keep in mind, however, that this doesn’t necessarily mean couches or similar furniture, since these have the tendency to wear out quickly with excessive use.

#5. Invest in Quality Window Coverings

This is one of those details that seems small, but makes a big difference.

Cheap, broken blinds indicate a lack of professionalism. On the other hand, just imagine the vibes your patients pick up when you have your windows decorated with the likes of these:

Big difference. You can check out Open House’s wide selection of Hunter Douglas products to find quality window treatments for your clinic.

Smart Interior Design for Clinics Isn’t Hard

By following these guidelines, you’ll find yourself with more patients. Plus, your current patients will feel at-ease and be willing to stop by more often. It’s amazing what a few small decor tweaks can do!