Waiting rooms are often an overlooked space in many commercial buildings. They shouldn’t be overlooked however – a poor waiting room experience can make visitors impatient or anxious, which can affect their overall trust and customer satisfaction. Whether it’s a hotel lobby or a dental practice reception area, it’s important that you integrate some of these essentials to keep visitors calm, comfortable and occupied.  

Comfortable seating

The most important feature in a waiting room is seating. There needs to be enough of it so that visitors aren’t left hovering, and it needs to be comfortable to put visitors at ease. Say no to cheap rickety plastic chairs and instead opt for cushioned chairs or couches.

Warm lighting

A gloomy waiting room could amplify feelings of anxiety. Make sure that the room is well lit with overhead lighting or lamps. Cool lighting is typically the brightest option, but sometimes comes off overly clinical – while this might be suited to surgery rooms, consider opting for warm lighting in the waiting room instead, as this can often have a more comforting feel. 

Free wi-fi

Consider setting up a free public wi-fi connection in your waiting room that visitors can easily log onto. This allows visitors to occupy themselves with emails, social media or online games while they wait. If lots of visitors are going to be using this wi-fi at the same time, consider looking for a high bandwidth connection – this will support multiple users without lagging. 

Refreshments

A great way to keep visitors occupied as they wait is to give them food and drinks. In standard waiting rooms, something as simple as a water cooler or vending machine could be all that’s necessary. If you want to create a more luxurious experience for high-end clients, consider having a receptionist bring in a drink and snacks on a tray. A coffee machine is recommended in most waiting rooms – this could be a self-service coffee machine, or a machine that a staff member can operate. 

Entertainment

There are many ways in which you can entertain customers while they wait. A traditional option is to provide newspapers and magazines. If kids are going to be waiting there, consider some kids books or toys. A TV or a radio can also be a great way to keep visitors occupied. Waiting rooms wanting to project a modern feel could even provide tablets that visitors can use – for information or entertainment purposes. 

Power outlets

What if a visitor needs to charge their phone? Providing a few power outlets throughout the waiting room can solve this issue. Make sure these outlets are accessible (don’t place furniture right up against them). 

Natural features

Adding some touches of nature can help to create a more calming feel. This is why many waiting rooms incorporate potted plants or fish tanks. Of course, you need to make sure that you maintain these plants and feed any fish. Artificial plants can be a low-maintenance way to spruce up a waiting room, but it’s important that you invest in realistic fake plants to create the right illusion.