What do the walls in the reception areas, waiting rooms and treatment rooms of your doctor's surgery look like? Sterile, white, with the classic wood-chip or glass fabric wallpaper? Or are you lucky enough to enjoy more interesting wall décor that improves your time there? Design wallpapers do just that, and they also provide a favourable first impression and a welcoming atmosphere.
They can be the decisive factor in determining whether a patient feels comfortable and well cared for. The psycho-energetic effect of colourful patterned wallpapers or plain-coloured structural wallpapers should not be underestimated. Slightly unnerving (and sometimes downright frightening) areas like doctor's surgeries, hospitals and treatment facilities benefit from the calming effects of designer wallpapers as they can help create an air of peace and relaxation. Cheery, invigorating, and fun design wall décor can counteract feelings of indisposition and worry. The specific medical emphasis of a facility or therapeutic facility can be mirrored in the choice of pattern and colours.
Find below some suggestions for harmonious and interesting interior design concepts using designer and pattern wallpapers, as well as information regarding functional characteristics and what to look out for in terms of fire prevention regulations.
A small psychoanalytical discourse regarding doctor's and therapist's visits and the importance of the right interior design choices
For many of us, going to see one's GP or therapist or to a hospital appointment is a necessary evil, happens only when the urgent need arises or - with chronic ailments - becomes an unwelcome routine. All in all, it's not exactly a favourite pastime for anyone, and most people face it with some trepidation. In addition, there can be insecurities and concerns when it comes to seeing a new doctor, or latent fears and worries with regards to examinations, diagnoses and treatment procedures.
Cold, sterile, stark white or too dark or simply drab environments certainly do not help with these issues. On the contrary, they help to manifest feelings of discomfort and the idea of flight (let's get out of here!). What they don't foster is a sentiment of well-being and confidence in health professionals. This is why many doctors and therapists have chosen a new path, with the following aims: To create a friendly, open, fear-reducing ambience, allowing patients to build trust and feel at ease.
Patterned wallpapers are a great tool to achieve this, as are functional yet attractive, comfortable furnishings. And the entirely positive reaction of patients proves the validity of this concept.
After all, we only visit doctors and therapists in order to receive their help. Fear is neither necessary nor in any way helpful - even if it is very human. So it is a good thing if, while we are waiting, being examined or treated, we can distract ourselves from sickness. pain and ailments and let our thoughts drift away whilst contemplating beautiful wall coverings which are inspiring and calming, creative and colourful.
We are aware that we're at a surgery or therapeutic facility - do we really need to be confronted with the fact even more? No - the more relaxed we are, the better the chance of therapeutic measures and treatments to work, and the more likely we are to take in diagnoses in a calm and collected manner. What is the point of worrying ourselves sick whilst waiting, preparing conversations in our head, a million questions flitting around in our thoughts, and horrible scenarios popping up in our imagination? Absolutely none whatsoever. Patterned wallpapers can create a relaxed situation and free our mind from worries.
Patterns, motifs, and colours of wallpaper design in the medical/therapeutic arena
Design wallpapers can be used in a number of surgeries' areas. Amongst them are: reception area, patient/waiting room, areas where examinations using various instruments and equipment are done, rest areas, rooms where bandages and drips are applied, and of course the actual consulting room. Therapy/treatment rooms can benefit greatly from a wallpaper design mirroring the relevant area of medicine.
In order to answer the question of which patterns/motifs and colours are most suitable for a particular treatment facility, both the specific medical discipline and the specific patient group can be very helpful. What is the predominant age structure? Are patients more likely to be old or young, are there children present? Various medical areas are also specific to men or women, e.g. gynaecology.
Of course one cannot please all the people all the time, and the seriousness associated with a doctor's surgery or treatment facility needs to be reflected in the ambience. A riot of patterns or garish colours will not fit in with the character of a medical facility. Below are some pattern ideas listed according to the specific discipline of medicine or target patient group:
Paediatric Practice
Children are, of course, at the centre of every paediatric practice. Kids wallpapers with cheerful patterns and motifs that appeal to both girls and boys will make children feel relaxed and distracted. These include, for instance, patterns with letters and numbers, the classic cloud design, funny animal scenes, space adventures with astronauts and the universe, brightly coloured geometric patterns, stars, flowers, etc. Design wallpapers with a white background and colourful patterns in happy and relaxing hues like orange, yellow, green, blue, and turquoise are also a good choice. A feature wall in the waiting area, consulting or treatment room might be all it takes to make children feel happy to be there.
GPs, specialists, physiotherapists
Physicians of various fields of speciality or general practitioners with mixed patient groups (age/gender) have the option to choose a specific theme for interior design concepts based on design and pattern wallpapers.
Asian flair based on ZEN and feng shui has a very calming effect and creates an open, friendly atmosphere. The main colours here should be light yellows and greens, natural and earth colours, light grey and anthracite hues. As for patterns, they should predominantly be delicate and floral, e.g. grasses, plants, branches, twigs. The natural charm of these wallpapers is often emphasised by quirky depictions of birds and butterflies. In high-quality plain-coloured wallpapers, patterns can be created simply via structures, effects and unusual surface materials. Nature or textile wallpapers are often the perfect solution for interior design concepts "close to nature". Natural materials like grass, cork and bamboo are the hallmark of premium nature wallpapers, and their earthy colours provide a harmonising element. The structures typical for those materials create a sense of gentle movement. Textile wallpapers lend a warm and cosy feel to a room. The softness created by vertical warp threads and textures is underlined by the structure of the material. Special effects like crush or flock treatments form fascinating tactile patterns.
Clear lines in geometric patterns, like stripes or circles, often in intense and darker contrast colours, are exceedingly suitable for modern surgery design. However, reducing their use to feature walls might be preferable as these models have a very strong presence and could be overwhelming if not used sparingly. For instance, our wallpaper Merida with its three-dimensional pattern effect could be described as stylish, elegant and state-of-the-art.
A pattern mix of various geometric shapes in combination with contrasting colours is a good choice for physiotherapy treatment rooms. These are areas of activity and dynamics where patients go through therapeutic exercises. Patterned wallpapers can be very stimulating in this context.
Psychologists, psychiatrists and psychotherapeutic facilities
The human psyche is still unfathomable; nevertheless it becomes necessary to try to understand it if mental illnesses manifest. There is hardly another medical environment where colours and patterns play a similarly important role as in that of psychologists, psychiatrists and therapists. After all, studies show that there is a direct connection between the environment and the subconscious. The main factor is that it should be light and friendly. Other important terms associated with an ambience suitable for therapeutic treatments would be calming, relaxing, refreshing, comfortable, distracting and cheerful. Patterned wallpapers with a zestful lightness, far removed from sadness and depressive emotions, compulsions or others issues,can be the perfect choice for waiting rooms. Azure-blue exotic themes with brightly coloured tropical flowers and birds of paradise whisk the mind away to thoughts of holidays, freedom and light-heartedness.
Retro patterns in both warm and cool colours are also well suited, but psychedelic Op Art patterns should be avoided as they can be challenging and even overwhelming for patients. Another range that can be used to add to an open and free-spirited ambience are effect foil wallpapers which create fascinating light reflections and radiant sparkle.
How to take care of wallpapers in surgeries and therapeutic facilities
In doctor's surgeries and consulting rooms, washable wallpapers are often de rigeur. More information regarding precise requirements will be available via your local health authority. Our range comprises pattern and design wall décor with the following care characteristics: washable, highly washable, scrub-resistant and and highly scrub-resistant. Depending on the surface material, some water-resistant (not washable) wallpapers can be treated with a water-repellent coating to seal them.
Light resistance and Fire Protection
Waiting areas in medical practices are often flooded with light coming through large windows. To ensure that your beautiful new designer wallpaper retains its colours, we recommend choosing a model with good, very good or excellent light resistance characteristics for these areas. Information regarding these features can be found in the product descriptions of every wallpaper model.
For areas with public access, like surgeries, the "hardly flammable" fire protection rating is usually recommended (EU regulation: DIN EN 13501-1). The mere fact that the fire protection rating is mentioned in the product description might not be sufficient, however. A certificate by the manufacturer might also be needed, depending on the country you reside in. Please feel free to contact us if that is the case, we are more than happy to contact the manufacturer of your preferred wallpaper to find out what you need to know.
Paper-based or fleece/non-woven wallpapers?
Due to the busy nature of medical facilities, they tend to require frequent renovation work. And just like in private accommodation, wallpapers should be changed regularly. Non-woven varieties make putting wallpaper up/removing it a piece of cake. Instead of having to apply paste to each strip of wallpaper, special adhesive for non-woven varieties can be applied directly to the wall. When the time comes to remove it, simply pull off entire lengths of wallpaper in a dry state. Paper-based models usually have to be soaked before stripping.