Clinics
Clinical Storage Small Space Design for Clinics
Keep one clear route and make infrequent activities share a footprint. Measure what happens when the room is occupied.
Explore the ideas
Plan in this order
- Remove items used elsewhere and list what still needs to fit in the room.
- Put frequent-use storage against a fixed edge and test whether shallow storage works there.
- Tape the occupied footprint of the largest movable item, including the user and the space needed to operate it.
Worked example
A compact guest washroom has no room for a floor cabinet, but visitors need a place for hand towels and supplies.
Use a shallow wall cabinet above the clear floor area and a small towel hook within reach of the basin. Confirm the door opens fully and stored items do not crowd the mirror.
How to test it
Rehearse the busiest moment with everything open or pulled out. If the route disappears, change the furniture size or position.
Apply it to this space
- Layout
- Group supplies by task near the rooms that use them, with replenishment stock in a separate cabinet zone.
- Detail
- Use labeled drawers and closed storage for items that should not be visible to waiting patients.
- Trade-off
- Centralized storage eases inventory but adds staff walking.
- Retrieve a routine item from the work position
- Check restock access does not disrupt a consultation
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