Which armchair for your practice?

The furniture in your practice plays a crucial role not only in terms of comfort but also in the impression you leave on your clients. The armchair, often at the heart of this consideration, can influence the quality of your sessions and the well-being of your patients. Each type of therapy requires specific characteristics for the furniture, so the choice of armchair is not just a matter of style but also of functionality and adaptation to the particular needs of each practice. This article explores the different types of armchairs suitable for various types of therapy, to help you make an informed choice for your practice.

Choosing the ideal armchair for your practice

In this context, the objective will be, on the one hand, to create a pleasant workspace to welcome clients, and on the other hand, to choose a comfortable armchair conducive to relaxation. The choice of a good armchair adapted to one's professional needs will be important in many fields and professions: for all liberal professions, practice management (medical, hypnosis, dental, sophrology, psychology, waiting room, hotel, therapy),...

A practice is both a workplace and a welcoming space. The concepts of client welcome, design, desired ambiance, client and professional comfort are criteria to consider during your setup and throughout the management of your activity. Your choice of armchair must allow you to reconcile all these needs, establish your professionalism and make your patients want to return. Note that a psychologist will have different needs than a dentist, and will therefore have a different thought process in order to make the right furniture choice.

If you are setting up or moving, take this change as an opportunity to modify your new interior. You are free to imagine your ideal workspace, making your office more attractive, for yourself and your clients. If you have a waiting room, it is important to make it welcoming to put the client at ease upon their arrival. This is the perfect place to convey your energy to the client and highlight your professionalism.

Also, invest in at least two comfortable armchairs, for yourself and your client, so that you feel at ease and relaxed during the session. Depending on your profession, you can choose an armchair with a high backrest and armrests to create a sense of protection. The best office chair is one adapted to the workstation and its constraints. This should serve both comfort and health.

Certain criteria are important!

The backrest

In most cases, it will be important to opt for an armchair with an reclining backrest. It should indeed recline backward if one wants a more relaxed position, up to an almost lying position. This will be even more important during a session with a psychologist, for example, where relaxation is paramount. On the other hand, the backrest must be high enough to encompass the entire back and therefore rise at least to the shoulders. It is important that the entire back remains in contact with it.

The footrest

Designer armchairs, often fixed, may have an adaptation issue regarding different body types. Adapting your armchair and especially its seat height with the height of your desk therefore seems important, but not only! Depending on your height, you may not benefit from optimal ergonomics, for example, with a gap between your feet and the floor. The best solution is then to opt for a footrest. This will be there as support, to compensate for this height difference, while optimizing comfort and blood circulation.

Analyze your way of working

Finally, it may seem obvious, but make your choice based on your way of working! Identify your needs, according to your environment or your practice, as well as your budget, of course. A solo practitioner will not have the same needs as a team of 10 people, just as a psychologist will have different needs than a medical practice.