Medical Interior Design is one of the more challenging design fields. The Medical Interior Designer can make a strong career out of Medical Interior Design if she is working for a large hospital or medical complex. The medical design process is almost a field in itself. It is very unusual compared to the standard interior design projects as Medical Interior Design is very specific. There are hundreds of codes that must be followed and not an abundance of manufacturers who sell goods that are adherent to those codes.

The overall schemes of color, layout, flow and lighting can be very creative, but it’s finding the fabrics, wallpapers, paint, flooring and lighting that adhere to the particular government codes that can be challenging. All the interiors in hospitals must be flame retardant. It is, however, amazing how many different flame retardants there are in the world. The resources are limited, so the creative process is also limited in Medical Interior Design. Being knowledgeable in these codes and retardants as well as the companies that manufacture these products is a prerequisite for anyone who wants to undertake such a project.

The Differences in Medical Design

The biggest difference in Medical Interior Design is the random doctor’s office compared to the large medical complex project. Almost any interior designer can accomplish a doctor’s office. Many times this is basically designing the interior of the doctor’s lobby. Fortunately, these lobbies are becoming more fashionable, and as the doctor’s will delegate the entire project to the designer, the project can be quite extraordinary.

It’s when these design-challenged doctors get too involved in the design process that the lobby will have a boring, stale look to it. When the designer is allowed to design the examination rooms, the project gets more exciting as well. There is a certain decorum which must be taken in these offices, as in all Medical Interior Design, but with an Interior Designer’s influence, the interiors can be very pretty or at least ‘interesting’. Since more of these doctors are becoming aware that a smartly decorated office usually means more relaxed patients, they are more willing to spend the money and hire a designer.

Designing a large medical complex speaks for itself. This is a large undertaking, will take a large experienced design staff and usually several years to complete. However, it can be very financially lucrative for the lead Interior Designer.

The abundance of spas and skin care salons that are on the market today has also led to another form of Medical Interior Design. The luxurious surroundings in these salons also have to be up to government code standards. Actually, the spas and salons that have cropped up everywhere have helped the Medical Interior Design field in general. More manufacturers are now producing specified code standard paint, wallpaper, flooring and fabrics. The demand is for more advanced and colorful products and therefore, the trade is producing, which in turn helps the Medical Interior Designer because she now has the freedom of choice in her creative abilities.