How Mental Health Spaces can benefit from specialised furniture design

Custom mental health furniture plays a crucial role in the healthcare setting by addressing the unique needs of patient care and facility management. Crown Furniture specialises in creating such furniture, ensuring that it meets stringent safety and comfort requirements. This article looks into the importance of specialised furniture, highlighting its focus on safety, durability, ergonomic design and adherence to Australian standards.

Safety-First Features

Furniture used in these specialised healthcare settings must incorporate specific safety-first features to prevent accidents from misuse and abuse and more seriously, self-inflicted incidents. Our safety considerate furniture includes rounded edges, non-tamper fixings, enclosed surfaces and anti-stash finishes. Additionally, our products are designed with added safety measures, like weighted furniture that reduces the risk of it being moved or misused and robust structures to further enhance the safety of these risk-prone environments.

Ergonomic and Supportive Design

Ergonomically designed furniture is essential for the well-being of both patients and caregivers. Crown Furniture’s collection includes comfortable and supportive furniture that reduces physical strain and promotes recovery . These designs, backed by 50 years experience in furniture manufacturing, along with input of lived experience consultation has allowed Crown Furniture to tailor such requirements to ensure that patients experience maximum comfort while caregivers benefit from improved efficiency.

Versatile and Hygienic Finishes

Hygienic finishes are essential in healthcare to maintain cleanliness and prevent infections. Crown Furniture offers versatile finishes that can withstand rigorous cleaning protocols and possess antimicrobial properties. This includes antimicrobial fabrics and antimicrobial coatings on all timber finishes. Additionally, these finishes can be customised to enable facilities to create a welcoming and therapeutic environment that aligns with their design aesthetics.

Durability and Maintenance

Crown Furniture designs its products to withstand rigorous use, particularly in demanding environments like mental health facilities. Their furniture is crafted from high-quality materials such as FSC-certified European beech hardwood, laminated plywood, and specialised coatings. These materials ensure the furniture remains durable, hygienic, and resistant to wear and tear, even with frequent cleaning and heavy daily use. This robust construction not only extends the lifespan of the furniture but also maintains its aesthetic and functional integrity, contributing to a supportive and safe environment.

Compliance with Healthcare standards and the AusHFG

Compliance to the set out health standards are vital, particularly in mental health settings. The National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards in Australia mandate that healthcare furniture meet rigorous safety criteria to protect patients and staff. In mental health settings, the inclusion of anti-ligature designs minimises the risk of self-harm, along with ambient, home like aesthetics, ensuring a safer and comfortable environment for patients and caregivers. These features are further highlighted in the AusHFG guidelines set forth under- HPU 131 Mental Health, specifically Section 3.9.4 pertaining to furniture. Additionally, all our furniture features Australian standards of fire-resistant and non-toxic foams and upholstery.

Evidence-Based Design

We use evidence-based design principles to create furniture that aids in therapeutic outcomes. For instance, the use of vestibular, proprioceptive and tactile inputs in furniture design has been shown to calm patients in crisis. Such thoughtful designs demonstrate the effectiveness of integrating research-based solutions into healthcare environments.

Warranty and Assurance

Investing in furniture is a significant decision for healthcare facilities. We provide a robust warranty on our products, ensuring long-term value and reducing the need for frequent replacements. This assurance allows healthcare providers to trust in the quality and durability of the furniture, ensuring it supports patient care for years to come. Please refer to https://www.crownfurniture.com.au/faq/ for more details on our warranties in these environments.

Explore Tailored Furniture Solutions Made in Australia

Explore Crown Furniture’s offerings at Crown Furniture in Australia for more detailed guidance and tailored solutions. For inquiries, contact Crown Furniture online or call us on 1800 194 194.