“A hospital is full of joy and sorrow at the same time,” said Sarah Rash, a lead designer with Carilion Clinic’s Design Group. “There might be a newborn baby or someone who just lost a parent, so you have to have some sensitivity to the variety of environments you’re designing.”
Sarah and her team work to create healing spaces in all of our facilities for not only our 1 million plus patients, but also for their families and our care teams as well.
“Evidence-based design has indicated that the return to nature is what resonates most with the human spirit,” she explained. “One of our priorities is bringing nature into the hospital through natural lighting, bringing in plants, anything that we can.”
After talking with Sarah, it was clear she had lessons that anyone could apply to their own healing zone.
Solution no. 1: Reclaim spaces with unexpected greenery.
For me that means a cactus in a hedgehog-shaped planter and some small succulents potted in my entry way and kitchen. Depending on your space and green thumb, it might mean a large potted plant or fresh-cut flowers in your favorite vase.
Solution no. 2: Embrace art, and do not be afraid to go local!
For Sarah, it is the little things that make a space. Small details, like art, can transport people away from the medical setting.
“I’ve seen my own family members walk into a corridor, see a piece of local artwork and get lost in it,” explained Sarah. “That simple experience allows them to escape from whatever is going on in their life. That’s what good design can do.”
At Carilion, designers focus on local art to embrace history and make a deeper connection with people from the region. For your own home, search a flea market or antique shop for some wall-worthy art that has its own story.
Solution no. 3: It’s all about comfort.
Wall color, accent pieces and furniture can all make a room feel calm and soothing, but it mainly boils down to one thing.
“It’s all about comfort,” said Sarah. “In my role, it’s about maximizing comfort for patients, visitors and providers. Over the years, we’ve gotten much more casual with interiors. The goal is to make it as comfortable as your favorite sweatshirt.”
In other words, comfort is in, and what that means is ultimately up to you.
Solution no. 4: Redefine expectations and figure out what ‘comfort’ means to you.
You don’t need a full dining room set or a Martha Stewart-worthy kitchen. According to Sarah, there is no pressure to make a home anything more than comfortably functional based on your own terms.
It is ok to embrace the chaos of different styles and needs. Creating a healing environment is more about creating a space that reflects your own personality and allowing your space to evolve and change right along with you.
“At a personal level, my philosophy is that you should only buy things that you love, and if you love a piece, it will help you to achieve your goal,” explained Sarah.
