A visit to the doctor’s office certainly doesn’t top the list of our favorite ways to spend the day. In fact, many people dread a trip to the doctor, and merely entering the front door is an act that causes hesitation and even fear. Still, from the regular check-up at the dental clinic to the nearly unavoidable yearly flu visit to the physician’s office, medical offices are normally busy places. And these busy places need constant design attention to ensure that patients feel welcomed, relaxed, and comfortable from the moment they walk into the reception area. But, just what goes into an effective medical office design?

Start with the Reception Desk: Patients hate to wait, especially when the flu is lingering all throughout the office air. Still, offices need a place to welcome patients while paperwork is processed and doctors prepare for each consultation, which means that waiting is often unavoidable. The reception area should maintain the goal of welcoming patients rather than directing them to simply wait. As soon as patients walk in the door, the reception desk should be their focal point of attention to promote easy check-in. In order to ensure that the registration process is efficient for both the receptionist and the patient, the reception office desk must be chosen with care. The desk size, ADA accommodations, storage capabilities, and ergonomic features should suit the receptionist’s needs to maintain an efficient and productive office.

Choose the Right Reception Furniture and Accessories: Remember, the main goal for any medical office reception area is comfort. Don’t skimp by choosing discounted chairs that will only make patients anxiety grow while they wait to see the doctor. Contemporary reception chairs should promote a stylish look and comfortable feel. Additionally, be sure to adequately space chairs throughout the design area so that patients have several different seating choices, but can simultaneously always be seen and accounted for by the receptionist. Arranging chairs in pods will give a much cozier feel than the standard line of chairs pushed up against the wall. Finally, position tables, magazine racks, and floor plants throughout the room to add depth and warmth.

Create a Style and Stick to It: Medical office reception areas can grow outdated quickly. Too often, rather than keeping up with current design trends, offices simply add to an outdated look with the intention of modernizing the office décor. Guess what? This approach doesn’t work. Instead, offices end up looking like an explosion of mismatched accessories and uncoordinated colors. And, those offices that think patients don’t notice outdated designs are wrong. Not only do patients notice, but they care! Medical offices will benefit most from calling in a professional interior design agency to revamp the office interior with a consistent look. These design firms will take a professional approach to redesigning the entire office one detail at a time. In addition to guiding decisions of layout and furniture selection, they’ll work to maximize your office goals with effective lighting and a color scheme that is soothing and welcoming to even the most hesitant patient.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that a patient’s first impression of their experience at the doctor’s office takes place in the reception area. Attention to the details and small touches, such as an antique coat rack, can make all the difference. Similarly, inattention to even the smallest crack in the door can send a patient searching his insurance guide for a new provider. So, while very few people look forward to a doctor’s visit, medical offices will go a long way with a patient who feels comfortable and welcomed with each and every visit. Start this successful relationship right at the front door.