Are there waiting room chairs that are suitable for larger patients, patients with mobility problems or patients with physical impairments?

Bariatric styles of waiting room chairs are ideal for patients that are larger, patients with mobility problems, or patients with physical impairments. This is because these chairs are very sturdy and solid in design allowing patients to use the arms to transfer easily to the chair from assisted mobility devices or when needing a bit more security with movement. Waiting room chairs designed for bariatric patients are also larger and roomier through the seat and back of the chair. This gives patients a sense of comfort and prevents difficulties in pushing up and out of the chairs since there is a space beside the patient for the hands. The arms are also there for added support and lift for patients that prefer this option.

High back waiting room chairs are also often preferred by patients with physical or mobility problems. This is because they do provide more support and a greater ability to use the back of the chair to move forward on the seat for easier transfers. This is much easier than the lower back chairs where the patient would not have support across the shoulders to slide forward in the seat.

For a very natural look to waiting room chairs, what materials are most recommended and how practical are they?

Wood frames and bases on chairs give a very natural look to a waiting room, examination room or consultation room or office. These chairs can be ordered with a range of wood finishes from very light options such as oak through the dark mahoganies. Complimenting the wood finish with a coordinating upholstery color can also add to the warmth of the room. With lighter woods blues, greens, teals, creams and softer tones are a great option. Darker woods can accentuate the deeper colors of the royal blues, forest greens and henna colors.

The wood is treated to be non-porous and resistant to scuffing, scratches and marks. It can be easily cleaned using standard disinfectant and cleaners typically used in medical settings. The mortise and tenon joints are very strong and are also treated to prevent liquid from entering the joint, making cleaning very simple and easy.

What options are there for waiting room chairs that can also be used in medical or patient rooms?

There are a variety of different styles of waiting room chairs that are designed to be multi-functional. Different styles of MRI compatible chairs are perfect for both waiting and reception areas as well as treatment and diagnosis rooms. Since ordering chairs in volume can reduce your overall cost per chair, these dual usage chairs can really add up to significant cost savings. It also helps in creating a very uniform and cohesive look to all the rooms within the facility. These same chairs can also be perfect for use as visitor chairs in patient rooms, very durable, solid yet also stylish in design.

Is it possible to mix and match reception room chairs or is it best to choose one model and style of chair only?

The styles and types of reception room chairs from arms to no arms, wing back chairs to rockers is really a personal decision. Mixing and matching different types of chairs while staying with a uniform color scheme can be a great option to allow your patients to select a chair that is most suitable to their needs. Having bariatric chairs is also an important consideration in every type of medical setting to provide patient comfort and safety in all rooms in the facility.

What are the possible colors of upholstery for reception room chairs and are there different types of frames as well?
Reception room chairs from different companies and manufacturers may offer a range of different colors and materials for both the upholstery and the frame. Most will have wood, metal or polyurethane materials in the frame, while some may have a combination. Typically the arms and armrests will be polyurethane with the actual frame itself being metal. These types of chairs come in a variety of frame colors from neutral creams through to very deep blacks.

Wooden frame reception chairs may be ordered in a variety of stains and wood finishes. These can include light oak, medium oak, mahogany and walnut. All the colors will work with the upholstery selections offered, it is really a personal preference and décor coordination issue as to what color is best suited for your particular reception area. Upholstery colors usually include solid colors from creams through to the royal blues and deep forest greens. More muted colors such as sage, sunset, ice and jade mist provide a softer visual impact that coordinates well with most medical settings.

I have seen almost bench types of reception room chairs, are those specialized for a particular patient use?

Most of the reception room chairs that appear to be larger and more bench like in design are actually bariatric waiting room chairs. However, these chairs come with different weight ratings from six to eight hundred pounds, so they are very suitable for chairs for kids, families or more than one person on the chair. They are ideal for pediatric offices where moms and dads may have infants, toddlers or young children that are uncomfortable sitting on their own chair. The kids can sit with mom or dad and share a book or just sit and cuddle before the appointment.

These larger reception room chairs, many which have 36 inch seats as opposed to standard just less than 19 inch seats are also very comfortable for patients that are transferring from wheelchairs or assisted mobility devices such as scooters. The additional space on the seat provides support as well as decreases the chance of a slip. Most of the larger bariatric types of chairs will have full arms, also providing safety and security during transfers on and off of the chair.

Traditional styles of waiting room chairs typically include the Victorian style of chair. These chairs are ornate and elegant yet they are also very strong, durable and practical as waiting room chairs. Generally they have a wooden frame which comes in several different natural colors. Mahogany is the darkest color with walnut, light and medium oak the other common wood finishes. Any type of upholstery can be matched with the chair including patterns or solid colors. For waiting room chairs the most common type of upholstery is vinyl since it is easy to clean and sterilize and is also very durable and long lasting, despite the heavy wear it will receive. Colors range from neutral and earth tones through to blues, but all will be antimicrobial and flame retardant, allowing your office extra protection and safety. For very small waiting room areas with lots of patients, what types of waiting room chairs are the best? For smaller, busy waiting rooms, hospital waiting rooms and even in doctor's offices a stylish yet space saving type of chair is the most practical. Look for waiting room chairs that don't have arms as this actually makes a room look more spacious and provides a sense of more space around each chair. Lighter colors will add to the openness of the room while dark chairs will provide a bit of color and can be used to brighten up the room with bold upholstery colors. Simple, more modern designs also prevent the area from looking as crowded and they are much easier to clean and sterilize as needed. For a slightly larger space consider the same type or design of chairs but with arms, or consider mixing the two to allow patients and family members to select which chair they are most comfortable with. Always select chairs that are appropriate for the size of the room, avoid very large chairs in a small space or small chairs in a large space to make the room look balanced and appealing. Are there waiting room chairs that are good for elderly patients or those with special needs? For any patients that may find getting out of waiting room chairs difficult, power lift chairs are a great addition as waiting room chairs. These smaller sized chairs are not big and bulky like recliners and most look very similar to the high back standard types of waiting room chairs. These chairs can be placed in a corner area or against a wall and allow patients the extra help they need to simply lift out of the chair. The seat of the chair uses an electric motor to slowly and gently lift the seat upwards and forwards, allowing the patient to correctly position his or her legs and move from a seated to a standing position without the need for assistance from staff. These types of waiting room chairs are also great for people with spinal injury or pain, leg or neck problems or overall strength or mobility health concerns.