Hospital Decor: 6 Standards for Healthcare Interiors

Hospital decor can contribute to a comfortable, safe environment for patients, visitors and staff. Designing a hospital interior means paying attention to many factors, including colour, lighting, materials, cleanliness, privacy, safety and medical equipment. Common mistakes should also be avoided, such as using bright colours and neglecting lighting and medical equipment. This article looks at why interior design matters in hospitals, and at the principles and elements of good hospital decor. This is general design guidance, not medical or infection-control advice: materials, finishes and layouts for clinical areas should be confirmed with the hospital's infection-prevention specialists.

What is hospital decor?

Hospital decor aims to create a comfortable, safe environment for patients, visitors and staff. It brings together several elements that help achieve this, including colour, lighting, furniture and aesthetic arrangements.

Hospital decor is typically marked by soft, calm colours such as white, light blue and light green, which create an atmosphere of calm and comfort for patients. Warm colours such as red and orange can be used to bring warmth and energy to some public areas, such as waiting rooms and corridors. The interior design of hospitals and clinics also aims to provide comfort and safety for patients and staff, through comfortable, functional furniture that meets both general and specific needs.

Because each healthcare centre has its own needs, hospital decor can be designed in different ways, so that it fits the overall vision on one hand and the particular mission of each hospital on the other.

Why hospital decor matters

Hospital interior design matters because of its effect on patients, visitors and staff. Its importance can be summarised in the following points:

1. Creating a comfortable environment: this can help reduce stress and support people's general comfort.
2. Supporting wellbeing: hospital decor creates an atmosphere of calm and comfort, which can support patients' sense of wellbeing and help them feel at ease.
3. Morale: hospital decor helps reassure patients and staff, which supports positive interaction and communication between everyone.
4. A welcoming first impression: a well-kept, welcoming design can improve how patients and visitors experience the hospital.
5. Improving job performance: it encourages staff to work more effectively and productively, and improves job satisfaction.
6. Infection control: surfaces and finishes should be easy to clean and disinfect and chosen with the hospital's infection-prevention team; any antimicrobial claim for a material needs specialist verification.

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Best hospital decor

No single type of hospital decor is best for every healthcare centre, because each has different needs and requirements that call for a suitable design. The engineering side of hospital architecture must therefore be taken into account. Even so, some general tips can help improve the design of medical clinics.

Use the right colours

Use colours that help create a calm, reassuring atmosphere. Calm, soft colours such as white, light blue and light green are common in hospital decor.

Use good lighting

Use suitable lighting that improves the atmosphere and gives patients comfort. Warm lighting can be used in some public areas, such as waiting rooms, and soft lighting in patient rooms.

Use functional, comfortable furniture, and plan the outdoor areas

Use functional, comfortable furniture that suits the needs of patients, visitors and staff. It should be durable and easy to clean and maintain. The outdoor areas should also be well designed and fitted with suitable, comfortable furniture, to offer a comfortable setting for patients and visitors.

Use plants and fine art

Plants and fine art can improve the overall atmosphere and bring a sense of comfort and calm. Plants are often added to hospital decor for texture and a welcoming atmosphere, where the hospital's infection-control rules allow.

Choose easy-to-clean materials

Choose surfaces and finishes that are easy to clean and disinfect, and agree them with the hospital's infection-prevention team. Antimicrobial claims for a product should be checked by a specialist before it is specified.

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Principles and standards of hospital design

When designing a hospital interior, rely on a set of principles and standards aimed at meeting the needs of patients, visitors and staff and improving the quality of care. They include:

• Function: the design should allow easy, quick access to the different departments to make care and treatment easier, and allow patients and visitors to move around smoothly.
• Safety and protection: the hospital should be designed to protect patients and staff from various risks, such as falls, fires, earthquakes and terrorist attacks.
• Health and hygiene: the hospital should be designed so that cleanliness and public health can be maintained. Materials should be selected with infection-prevention specialists, with the facilities needed for sterilisation and disinfection.
• Modern technology: the hospital should be designed so that modern technology can be used in healthcare, treatment and diagnosis, with the provisions needed to make use of it.
• Comfort and wellbeing: the hospital should be designed to give patients, visitors and staff comfort and wellbeing, with green spaces and suitable places to relax and unwind.

Key elements of a good, well-designed hospital

Designing a good, well-conceived hospital means paying attention to several important elements, including:

1. Good planning: hospital planning and design should provide enough space for the different departments and set clear, suitable routes for movement.
2. Lighting and ventilation: good lighting and suitable ventilation should be provided, with the devices and equipment needed to control temperature, humidity and airflow.
3. Furniture and fittings: suitable, functional furniture and fittings should be chosen, with the medical devices and equipment needed for treatment and care.
4. Management and organisation: good management and organisation should be in place, with the procedures and policies needed to maintain and improve the quality of care.

Ideas and tips for hospital decor

Hospital decor calls for attention to a number of ideas and tips, including:

• Use the right colours: calm, restful colours such as white, blue, green and beige can be used, avoiding loud, bright colours.
• Use suitable lighting: good lighting should be used in the hospital, with the devices and equipment needed to control temperature, humidity and light.
• Use suitable materials: materials should be easy to clean and disinfect, and resistant to moisture and dirt, in line with the hospital's cleaning and disinfection protocols.
• Maintain cleanliness: the hospital should be kept clean, with the facilities needed for sterilisation and disinfection, and spaces designed to make cleaning and disinfecting easier.
• Provide comfort for patients: suitable, comfortable furniture that meets patients' needs, along with green spaces and suitable places to relax and unwind.
• Pay attention to detail: details such as frames, pictures and suitable ornaments help set the atmosphere and make the place more welcoming and warm.
• Provide privacy: the hospital should be designed to give patients privacy, and to reduce noise and acoustic disturbance that could affect their comfort.
• Provide safety: the hospital should be designed to keep patients, visitors and staff safe, with an early fire-warning system and the procedures needed to deal with accidents and emergencies.

Mistakes and pitfalls to avoid in hospital decor

Hospital decor requires attention to many different factors. Things to avoid include:

• Using bright colours: avoid bright, loud colours in a hospital, as they can increase strain and stress for patients and visitors.
• Neglecting lighting: lighting needs attention in a hospital, as poor lighting can affect comfort and safety and add to strain and stress.
• Neglecting privacy: privacy needs attention in a hospital, as a lack of it can leave patients feeling cornered and confused.
• Leaving out green spaces: provide green spaces in a hospital, as they can help improve mood and reduce strain and stress for patients and visitors.
• Randomness: avoid randomness in the design, especially when coordinating the hospital's interior elements.