Enhancing Patient Experience: Designing Healthcare Spaces for Comfort, Choice, and Flexibility

Choice transforms care. In the first of our three-part Business of Healthcare series, we explore how intentional design fosters empowerment, inclusivity, and well-being in healthcare spaces.

In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, creating environments that foster comfort, choice, and flexibility is more important than ever.

Patients, families, and staff often navigate spaces that can feel unfamiliar or overwhelming. Limited choice, a fundamental aspect of personal autonomy, is common in these settings. To address this, KI is committed to exploring the changing dynamics of healthcare, ensuring our furniture solutions foster a welcoming atmosphere that empowers visitors and encourages interaction.

In this chapter of our Business of Healthcare series, Sammi Woronoff, Interior Designer at Gresham Smith based in Birmingham, Alabama, talks about focusing on universal design principles and integrating thoughtful, inclusive solutions into healthcare spaces.

Universal Design: Empowering Patients & Families

“Universal design is a tool to encourage all users to interact and feel welcome, regardless of size, age, disabilities, or access,” Sammi explained. This approach is essential for providing options that make everyone feel comfortable and included.

Key elements of universal design include equitable use, flexibility in use, and perceptible information.

“Equitable use ensures that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, find the space functional and welcoming,” Sammi noted. “Flexibility in use allows the space to adapt to varying preferences and needs.”

By incorporating these principles throughout the design process, she believes that empathy and equity can drive a space's effectiveness.

“Inclusivity and equity in design, when woven into the space planning of a facility, create intuitive, inviting environments that enhance the human experience,” Sammi added.

(L) MyPlace lounge furniture, Athens table, C-Table Max; (R) Zoetry collection

Creating Choice in Healthcare Environments

Sammi highlighted that guests in a healthcare facility are often told when, where, and why to go somewhere with little say in the matter. Choice is frequently a privilege that is rarely experienced, making it crucial for design teams to encourage and incorporate these opportunities wherever possible in the built environment. She advocates for personalization within spaces to foster comfort and belonging.

“Building in a variety of waiting, respite, or nourishment areas subconsciously tells users that the space is there for them to interact with in the way that works best for them,” she explained. No matter the discipline of the space, there are vast opportunities to incorporate small moments of choice in a user experience.

(L) Sway lounge chair; (R) MyPlace lounge furniture, Athens table, Ruckus chairs, Apply stools, Serenade gathering table

Supporting Staff with Intentional Design

Staff well-being is vital to the functioning of healthcare facilities, directly impacting patient care and employee retention. Intentionally designed spaces support staff choice and comfort, which can help reduce burnout and improve mental health.

When planning healthcare environments, it’s essential to consider how staff will use the space for tasks like charting, collaborating, or taking breaks.

“How can the design provide flexibility and choice without sacrificing function?” Sammi asked. “Can sit-to-stand worksurfaces be used in certain work areas? Can dual-purpose storage and seating be incorporated for flexibility?”

For example, dual-purpose seating can offer options for rest or work, and comfortable dining areas can create a welcoming atmosphere for relaxation.

(L) Tattoo chest storage, Altus task chair, U-Series pedestal storage, Universal overhead; (R) Athens tables, Calida stools, Zoetry lounge seating

A Growing Need for Multifunctional Spaces

As healthcare design evolves, the importance of telehealth and multifunctional rooms continues to grow. In the post-pandemic world, telehealth has proven to be a valuable tool, allowing patients to access specialized care without needing to travel. Facilities are now incorporating spaces that support both in-person and virtual care, maximizing room efficiency.

“With building costs and spatial restraints increasing, the need for multifunctional spaces is incredibly important for facility efficiency,” she said. “End users prioritize maximizing efficiency while minimizing the building footprint.”

For instance, exam rooms may double as telehealth spaces, and staff respite areas can serve as meeting rooms, ensuring that facilities meet a wide range of needs without expanding their footprint.

(L) Doni task chair; (R) Doni stack chairs, Pirouette tables

Designing for the Future: Personalized Solutions

As healthcare spaces continue to evolve, so must the design strategies behind them. A sense of personalization is essential for users to find comfort and belonging.

In waiting areas, designers should offer a range of seating options to allow individuals to select the most suitable option for their needs. Comprehensive lounge solutions, such as the Zoetry Collection, provide a way to divide space and add privacy with optional privacy screens. Mix in Limelite stools and Tributaire high-top tables to round out design options. 

(L) Zoetry guest & tandem seating, Zoetry occasional table, Lyra occasional table; (R) Zoetry lounge chair with privacy screen

Similarly, within patient rooms, accessible furniture choices should be incorporated to enable options for flexibility and comfort. Katera seating offers a guest chair and bariatric chair for design consistency throughout a facility. KI's diverse furniture portfolio can also create inviting staff spaces that can improve the overall work experience.

(L) Katera guest chair; (R) Katera bariatric chair, Katera guest chair 

Designing for Empowerment and Inclusion

Integrating choice into healthcare design goes beyond functionality—it’s about creating spaces that empower individuals and foster a sense of belonging. By applying universal design principles and embracing personalization, healthcare facilities can cultivate environments that are not only supportive but also deeply engaging for patients, families, and staff alike.

At KI, we place human-centered design at the core of our philosophy. With a focus on empathy and a deep understanding of user needs, we create tailored solutions that elevate the healthcare experience for everyone. Our commitment is to help you design spaces that truly serve and support the people who use them.

Ready to transform your healthcare spaces? Explore our flexible and sustainable furniture solutions or find design inspiration in our healthcare applications image gallery.