But it is not just the colour of the walls that can have a positive impact on patient and staff wellbeing. Furniture also has a role to play in helping to create a more-relaxing and lessinstitutional environment. “As experts on the psychology of colour point out, when we are feeling stressed we need to reduce visual noise and surround ourselves with tranquil colours that reconnect us with nature,” said a spokesman for medical furniture manufacturer, Ocura.

PROMOTING WELLBEING

“The growth in recent years of evidence-based design highlights the need to enhance patient wellbeing, not just through clinical care, but also through the environment, and choosing the right colour for the right environment is now understood to play an important role in optimal wellbeing. “And, as healthcare design inevitably becomes more sophisticated, the importance of the effect of colour on wellbeing is steadily gaining recognition. “This means the choice of colour is now a significant consideration in the purchasing process for healthcare furniture. “The days of bland and uninteresting hospital décor are gone. What we now have is an opportunity to create an attractive, colourful, and well-balanced environment that is entirely supportive of optimal wellbeing for all.” Ramsay McDonald, director of Deanestor, adds: “The choice of colour plays a hugely-important role in the design of furniture for healthcare environments.

THROWING SHADE

“Colours need to be light to promote good hygiene practice, so it is easy to identify soiled areas for cleaning. “Colour is also important for patients with visual impairments and in patient areas to help create a more-welcoming and less-clinical feel and an appearance that promotes wellbeing and healing.” The best colours for hospitals and other health and care settings are those that complement or contrast with walls and floors. McDonald explains: “The only elements of colour in a healthcare environment are typically the furniture and fittings, and the palette tends to be consistent throughout a healthcare building or hospital. “Colour strategies are currently favouring lighter palettes which are conducive to health and wellbeing and mean that hygiene standards are easier to maintain. “Lighter hues and soft, natural tones for inpatient rooms and waiting areas, such as in emergency departments, have been shown to have a calming effect on patients and their relatives when facing stressful situations. “The age of the patients is also a factor when considering colour, with children’s hospitals and paediatric wards often colourful, bright, and fun in their design to help young patients feel at ease during their stay. “With elderly patients, though, their vision changes and deteriorates with age, so more contrast is needed to help guide them through their rooms, for example towards seating areas and grab rails. Here, saturated colours are specified over pastel tones, which can blur together for patients with poorer eyesight.”

CHOOSE WISELY

Most often colours are chosen for their biophilic properties – helping to bring the outside in, with natural hues such as greens, blues, and brown seen as calming. But red, while being a stimulating colour which often signifies creativity, is generally avoided in facilities such as those treating neurological conditions and patients suffering from mental illness such as post-traumatic stress. Tony Huggins, managing director of David Bailey Furniture, said: “Warm colours, such as oranges, reds, and dark yellows, are known to create a sense of energy and cosiness and can be used strategically in areas where patients need to feel more uplifted, such as waiting rooms or rehabilitation spaces. “On the other hand, cool colours, like greens, blues, and greys, have a calming effect, promoting rest and relaxation, which is vital in areas such as patient rooms and recovery spaces. “Neutral colours, such as whites, off whites, beiges, and softer greys, are often used as a backdrop throughout the hospital as they provide a sense of subtleness and make spaces appear larger, especially in smaller rooms or corridors. “Neutral tones can also serve as a canvas for accent colours or artwork, adding visual interest and variety to the environment.”

SUPPORTING STAFF

But it is not just patients who can benefit from colour when it comes to furniture and fixtures. The Ocura spokesman said: “Of equal importance is the creation of a relaxing and visually-appealing area for staff breakout rooms, where busy clinicians can enjoy precious break times for rest and recuperation. “Creating a visual break with the use o different colours, as well as the opportunity to sit and relax in comfort, is important as staff performance can also be affected by the quality of their immediate visual environment.” McDonald adds: “Healthcare professionals providing care are known for working long and mentally-demanding shifts. They therefore need spaces that are conducive to rest and recharging. “Brightly-lit rooms with stronger colour palettes can help staff needing to take a short break and stay fresh and energised, and darker restrooms with softer lighting allow healthcare professionals to rest for longer periods.” Knightsbridge Furniture is also focusing on colour, having worked with Alder Hey Children’s Hospital to provide products in green and yellow shades to evoke a sense of balance and harmony. Jason Brown, director of design and development, said: “At Knightsbridge, we recognise the importance of colour in our furniture, staying away from dull colours to create fun, eye-catching pieces of furniture that can help to create a welcoming environment. “Moving forwards, I think we can expect to see increasing courage from designers and specifiers with bold uses of colour, including fabric and frame. “This creates a modern, inviting, and vibrant atmosphere which has been proven to significantly improve mental wellbeing – something which can only be welcomed in a healthcare environment.”

www.knightsbridge-furniture.co.uk

www.ocura.co.uk