Unveiling Innovation: Inside the 2024 Healthcare Design Expo with Kim
2024 Healthcare Design Conference & Expo in Indianapolis hosted by Carolina
Hi there! I’m Kim, an interior designer at OEX, and I just returned from the Healthcare Design (HCD) Conference and Expo in Indianapolis. My mind is freshly buzzing with inspiration and ideas for my upcoming design projects thanks to the Expo. There is something truly invaluable about experiencing different types of furniture up close—seeing, touching, and feeling it in person rather than just scrolling through a catalog… a game changer in my line of work.
Connecting with fellow professionals, manufacturers, and sales reps in the industry made the event even more enriching. The energy and enthusiasm of everyone present was infectious!
Over the course of a few days, I immersed myself in everything that healthcare design had to offer. From the latest furniture trends to design innovations to new fabrics debuting this year, the experience was both informative and exciting. There were a variety of flooring manufacturers on site with many designs and options - I found equally as fun to explore. Speaking of flooring, I ran into Interface, one of our upscale manufacturers, and had the chance to chat about their upcoming line of floor products which I could see potentially using in some upcoming projects.
A neat discovery I made while exploring fabrics tailored for healthcare settings was that many healthcare facilities choose certain fabrics that their cleaning products not only interact safely with, but also have anti-microbial properties.
I was particularly impressed by Standard Textile’s fabric curtain dividers and innovative installation design.
Noé Modular Ottomans
We saw a wide range of healthcare furniture, from behavioral health options to patient reclining and gliding chairs. Many had fold-down arms to ensure safe transport, eliminating pinch points for patients while enhancing safety. Midmark even featured a slick new examination chair that boasted more accurately collecting blood pressure data based on optimal patient posture.
I had a chance to talk to the representatives from IOA, and they introduced me to the latest healthcare furniture which included innovative and functional sleeper beds. I know it sounds a bit geeky, but the designs were sleek and smart, with handy features like built-in phone holders and shoe cubbies.
My biggest takeaway from the Expo? The tactile experience of sitting in and using the furniture. I found that essential for my design approach. As I explored, I thought, these products and materials would be perfect for the lobbies and patient rooms in my upcoming healthcare project! I even stumbled upon some intriguing new wall-mounted cabinets from a manufacturer we’re just starting to collaborate with. These clever designs allow nurses to tuck away their computers, maximizing workspace while keeping everything neat and secure. Genius, right?
The beauty of events like this is the opportunity to share and gain new perspectives. One fellow attendee, a furniture sales rep, asked what I found most interesting. While she found the aspect of furniture sales most intriguing, I shared how (as a designer) I was captivated by textures, colors, arrangements and flooring layouts. It’s amazing how we can learn from one another at these expos—every conversation is a chance to expand our horizons and improve ourselves as professionals.
Do you have a healthcare space in need of a makeover? We’re ready and thrilled to offer you tailored healthcare furniture and interior design solutions to transform your environment into one of functionality, safety and timeless beauty. Let’s create something extraordinary together!
