By Maria Sanchez and Emmalee Hackney
Before patients ever receive medical services, their first impression of a facility is almost always the lobby. It’s an important introduction to a healthcare system, as the care environment has a large influence on patients’ perception of their overall hospital experience, according to a 2025 study. In order to increase patient satisfaction, healthcare systems often spend the majority of their interior design budget on renovating the entrance lobby. It’s an effective strategy to make a lasting first impression, but it requires selecting the right design elements.
Helping People Find Their Way
A confusing part of the healthcare facility experience for patients, family members and friends can be navigating the building.
Photo Credit: Peter Brentlinger
This was especially true at Novant Health Forsyth in Winston-Salem, N.C. Additions to its campus over the years had made it confusing for people to know where to park and walk. To overcome these challenges, the lobby renovation to the campus’ Critical Care Tower used floor patterns to guide people and extended the hospital’s new wayfinding throughout the facility, including exterior signage in the parking deck. Novant also used art to guide visitors, installing graphics local to Winston-Salem in each of the elevator lobbies. For example, an image of the city’s 7-foot-tall coffee pot landmark adorns a particular elevator bank. That way, visitors always know which elevator lobby they’re at, no matter the floor.
Technology can help with wayfinding as well. Some lobbies offer self-service kiosks where people can check themselves into a facility. Another option is digital screens that provide updated wait times, directions and hospital announcements.
A lobby renovation is an opportunity to rethink circulation on the ground. Thoughtful design can guide patients and staff intuitively around a hospital without the need to even look at signs.
The forthcoming lobby renovation at University of Miami Health System’s UHealth Tower will use terrazzo floors to improve wayfinding, using one color for circulation and another color for sitting areas. Terrazzo is a popular material for healthcare lobbies because it’s durable and easy to clean.
Finishing materials are an important element to consider. A lobby isn’t updated often, so it’s essential to choose designs and materials that will last for at least 20 years. The materials also need to meet stringent hygiene guidelines for healthcare environments.
Choosing Art and Visuals
Photo Credit: Peter Brentlinger
A successful lobby design makes everyone feel welcome, comfortable and cared for — like the healthcare facility was designed with them in mind. feel welcome, comfortable and cared for — like the healthcare facility was designed with them in mind.
Art can help create that sense of community. Consider featuring work by local artists to add personality to the space while reflecting the culture of the surrounding community. Miami’s UHealth Tower lobby will feature a large artwork wall that brings in color and showcases Miami’s vibrant community. Lighting also plays a key role. The UHealth Tower lobby will also feature a modern ceiling design with a linear slot fixture that combines mechanical diffusers and recessed downlights for a sleek look.
Branding is another consideration. It’s crucial to create a design that represents the identity of a healthcare facility. Using the right color schemes, logos and mission statements can enhance the public view of a hospital brand. For example, the University of Miami Health System’s official colors are orange and green, so the furniture will be toned-down terracotta orange and emerald green.
The Importance of a Comfortable Lobby
Photo Credit: Gresham Smith
A healthcare lobby should make people feel relaxed.
Families need a place to sit and talk, and arranging different groupings of loveseats and lounge chairs — like a home living room — creates a natural sense of separation and offers some privacy. Be sure to provide open space where wheelchair users can sit with their group. For individuals on their own, bar tables with power outlets work well for using laptops or charging phones.
The lobby at Miami’s UHealth Tower will take a cue from workplace design in its layout. In addition to standard seating, the lobby has a booth underneath the stairs, giving people a more private space for a phone call or a moment alone.
Keeping food in mind is also essential. A nearby café gives people a place to relax and eat. At UHealth Tower, adding dining seating to an existing coffee shop will support those that would rather sip coffee or grab a bite to eat while they wait.
Bringing Nature to a Lobby
The most enjoyable lobbies have views of nature — and even better, access to nature. Outdoor areas connected to the lobby provide opportunities for people to take a mental and physical break. Nature areas can also influence psychological metrics for inpatient stays. Exposure to nature during an acute hospital admission has a therapeutic effect on patient satisfaction, according to a 2024 study.
UHealth Tower’s lobby will feature a partly covered outdoor terrace with local plants and comfortable furniture. It will be located just off the first-floor lobby, and the second-floor lobby will offer views of the terrace below.
From incorporating nature to providing diverse seating options, a successful lobby renovation requires thoughtful design. But taking the right steps means having a welcoming space for years to come. A renovated lobby is a cost-effective construction project that can upgrade facility access, make navigation easier and improve the overall patient experience.
Maria Sanchez, IIDA, NCIDQ, RID, LEED AP ID+C, and Emmalee Hackney, IIDA, NCIDQ, are interior designers at Gresham Smith.