This waiting room shows the trend of incorporating bolder color within health care.
VA Biloxi, MS
Colors and Patterns
In the past health care facilities have always been filled with white or neutral colors and with solid or simple patterns. As the years pass the trends within health care has shown a drastic change in design. Today brighter and bolder colors are more incorporated. Colors such as oranges and yellows with organic patterns are now becoming more seen within health care. Today the common goal for health care design is to create an environment that doesn’t feel like a hospital to help the patient be more relaxed making everything easier on patients and staff.
This patient room shows a more residential look. The traditional dark cherry wood color seen
in the picture is a more appealing trend for older generations.
VA Biloxi, MS
The lighter wood tones is likely to be a more comfortable residential look for the young generations.
VA Biloxi, MS
Patient Rooms
The trend for patient rooms is to feel as homelike as possible for the patient. Matching furniture in patient rooms such as headboards, dresser or amours, and night stands gives a more residential feel. By adding elements such artwork, more natural lighting, and greenery it gives the patient a more homelike feel and helping them feel more relaxed rather than feel like they are in a hospital.
Providing Personable Experiences
Designers and health care providers also strive to create a more personable experience for patients. A new trend seen in a few hospitals are electronic patient communication boards. The boards are placed in the patient rooms and digitally display photos, the patient’s name, nurses and doctors caring for them, and the local weather and news. The VA adheres with the trend of making a more personable experience by hanging pictures of the veterans they care for when they were on active duty. By personalizing spaces and creating a more personable experience for the patient they will feel cared for and more comfortable about the care they are receiving (healthcaredesignmagazine.com).
Piano Lounge
Providence Hospital Mobile, AL
Rest Areas and Open Spaces
Another trend that is commonly seen now with health care facilities is the incorporation of more lounges, gift shops, coffee shops, and restaurants. By providing more inviting public areas this makes the hospital feel more like a mall. In considering the patient guests, these spaces give them a place to momentarily get away, have a cup of coffee, and read the paper while sitting in a lounge area playing soft piano music. Because in common situations the patients guest or family member will spend almost as much time in the hospital as the patient, it is important to accompany to their needs as well. 
Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI
http://www.healthinformer.net/aurora-st-lukes-announces-construction-of-rooftop-healing-garden-and-conservatory.html
Legacy Emanuel Children’s Hospital Garden, Portland, OR
http://www.healinglandscapes.org/blog/2010/10/a-running-hollering-skipping-playing-place-guest-blog-post-by-addie-hahn/legacy-benches/
Providing garden sanctuaries are another great trend. Outdoor garden attraction areas are more being seen across the country to motivate patients to get up and walk outdoors. The patient will be able to get out for fresh air, enjoy the natural sun light, and get more needed exercise.
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