FURNITURE


M


ental health furniture has come under the spotlight in recent years as the trend for more-homely, hotel-like patient environments gathers pace.


And nowhere is this more evident than in service user bedrooms, where everything from beds to storage solutions and seating has undergone a major overhaul. Modern wardrobes, for example, are now a far cry from those seen in psychiatric units even two or three years ago.


Mental health furniture is undergoing something of a renaissance. Here we look at how this is impacting on the design of the latest wardrobe and storage solutions


NATURE CALLS Gerard Baxter of Workspace explains: “Robustness and fit-for- purpose fitted wardrobe solutions that are ligature proof and safe continue to be widely specified, but we are also seeing some additional drivers. “For example, there is a move towards the use of more-natural materials, for example plywood, which is both hardwearing an in vogue with interior designers. “It’s about finding that balance between having a domestic feel, but not compromising on the quality of the furniture.” Workspace recently carried out an installation at a child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) facility in Birmingham, where the trust wanted wardrobes which were robust, but introduced colour into the rooms by way of material and texture, resulting in the creation of a bespoke compact- grade laminate with a woodgrain finish. These changes are also being seen by other manufacturers.


Wardrobe design is given an overhaul


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mhdf magazine


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