Of course, being kept waiting will never be the best start to any experience. However, you can make it bearable by design if you are savvy with your business actions. Everyone would like a comfortable place for their clients to sit while waiting, whether at healthcare facilities, some large corporations, or even hotels and restaurants.
One illustration is the recent Vitals Wait Time Report that indicated an average of 18 minutes in a doctor’s waiting room. The longer the wait, the less happy the patient is. Some businesses are forced to factor in wait time into their model, and that pretty much comes out as a losing proposition because we all know customer satisfaction decreases with every passing minute. However, a well-thought-out layout plan and design can make the waiting area bearable and provide excellent customer interaction opportunities. Here’s how.
Choose the Right Furniture and Layout
Ensure your waiting area’s layout and furniture support your workplace’s comfort and functionality. The front desk is typically your waiting room’s largest piece of furniture. Therefore, if there is a way that you can exhibit luxury or go big, this would be the item to do it with. If you cannot afford an expensive desk, there are a lot of budget-friendly reception desks.
Opt for a high-end modern appearance, but purchase it in ready-to-assemble (RTA) form. While you may be looking at a significant investment, RTA furniture offers a cost-effective solution, especially when dealing with something as large (and expensive) as a reception desk. It is shipped very efficiently when not pre-assembled at a smaller cost, making it a financially savvy choice.
Your Waiting Room must come with comfort and style, an all-in-one package. Keep these 2 factors in the same light, as neither trumps one or the other, and both are inexpensive. Choose cushioned chairs instead of hard ones made from wood or plastic that can be uncomfortable to sit in for extended periods. You will also want to ensure that the space uses different chairs.
When choosing the furniture to fill your space, consider who is present in your guest population. So, if you have a business that sees children, for instance, you might want to include loveseat and couch styles in the space so kids can sit with their parents. On the other hand, if your waiting room resides in a healthcare facility, the chairs used will have to be cleaned easily. For your waiting room seating style, choose modern furniture that works well for your brand—maybe in a neutral color to correspond to the rest of the building—and consider hanging something large on top, like artwork.
Incorporate Lighting and Color
Lighting and color can be powerful tools in establishing the mood of your customers or visitors as soon as they enter your waiting area. Try to rely on natural light. It will likely improve the health and productivity of your clients or visitors.
You could also utilize artificial light for ambient, task, or accent lighting. Undoubtedly, you would like to select colors that will harmonize with your client’s brand’s values and identity while watching how it affects psychology or creates an emotional impact. With colors, you can also evoke contrast or harmony or balance of contrasts in your waiting area.
Add Amenities and Technology
Amenities and the latest technology can make your waiting area comfortable and useful, from offering amenities to providing entertainment or information for those sitting there. You want to deliver valuable amenities for your customers or visitors, like magazines, books, coffee, water and snacks, Wi-Fi, etc. You must choose a type of technology that is user-friendly and easily accessible, like digital signage, for example, tablets, kiosks, or even TVs. You can make it interactive or immersive using touchscreens, VR, AR, etc.
Keep it Clean and Safe
Your waiting area should be spotless and safe to give your customers/visitors a cozy experience full of memories. You must ensure your waiting area is always clean and disinfected, especially during critical health events or pandemics. You try to obey the rules and conduct defined for hygiene and social distancing, such as hand sanitizers, floor markers, or disposable covers. You would like to shield individuals from potential hazards, e.g., slippery floors, sharp edges, or loose wires in your waiting area, that could lead people to harm and dangerous accidents.
