As the first thing people will see, the look of the waiting room is critically important to the impression that your clients or patients will develop of your business or practice. Research has shown that as people wait they will develop a judgment of the business and that this is influenced by the interior design of the waiting room. By paying attention to the detail in the waiting area you can help foster an image of confidence, competence and professionalism.
The waiting room chairs are an important component of the waiting area. You should focus on practically and comfort. While you could opt for a lounge or couch to save money, if there are a number of people waiting at the same time they will be more comfortable sitting on individual chairs.
How to Select Waiting Room Chairs
The style and color of the chairs should match the image you are trying to achieve in your marketing goals. They should be carefully chosen to match and enhance the rest of the waiting area, including the front desk, coffee tables, painted walls and any hanging pictures or paintings.
The size of the waiting room will be the number one factor that will determine the type of chairs you use. Most guest chairs are 21.25 inches wide and 23 inches deep. When space is small or there will be a large number of people waiting, logically you will need to opt for smaller chairs.
Waiting room chairs without armrests can save space and are often seen in waiting areas with a high volume of people. However, many guests dislike these types of chairs as there is no natural barrier between the people sitting beside them.
A comfortable seating option is to use high backed waiting room chairs. The higher backed styles of chair include the Victorian and classical models, and the backs will generally be 45 inches or higher. A normal chair is typically has a back 31 inches high.
A factor that you may not have thought of is the durability of the chairs. Businesses in a high-net worth market may choose chairs with expensive materials and fabrics to meet their marketing objectives. However, businesses with a high turnover of clients such as dental or doctor surgeries would likely opt for antibacterial and easily cleanable materials. If there will be children in the waiting area, it is often a good idea to choose colors that want show stain easily.
Enhancing Your Seating Options
The waiting room chairs are just one of the factors that will affect the comfort and look of the waiting area. You should select them while bearing in mind the other furniture you will be choosing. This will likely include: a hat and coat rack; umbrella stand; coffee table; magazine rack; and live or fake plants.