Month: April 2020

Medical Screens, Partitions and Privacy

Interior Design Trends

modern office privacy space sliding for dividers

The importance of privacy and relaxing spaces within medical facilities and hospitals is becoming more and more substantial. Spatial separation and privacy are now valued and understood more than in previous years. The impact that the environment plays into the recovery time and the overall happiness of patients is undeniable. More and more studies are concluding that patients in medical centers require a certain amount of space, security, and respectful privacy during their healing in order to stay healthy and recover. Environment-induced stress can have extremely harmful effects on patients, delaying recovery and in some cases, worsening their medical ailments.

Medical Screens

Of course, a lot of the medical practices and related activities involved in patient treatment and care require privacy and solitude. For example, medical screening is typically a relatively quick process, that requires total privacy and patient trust. Medical screens help to make these testing/screening zones as comfortable and as private as possible, all while working within an overcrowded indoor environment. Pharmacies use medical privacy screens, sliding room dividers, and flexible frosted or opaque glass wall partitions to provide a privacy solution. Pop-up pharmacies or ones which exist in larger buildings such as a Rite-Aid, or CVS need to ensure their patients are getting the privacy they need when they need it, without requiring a trip to a hospital.

Partitions

The difference between a solid wall partition versus a semi-translucent or see-through glass wall partition is tremendous in the medical field. Whether a nurse, doctor, physician, or the patient themself, being stuck inside a hospital can be exceptionally depressive. If there is little natural light permeating through the facilities, it can often feel like you’re stuck inside a maze of illness and injury with little visible hope in sight. Bringing in more natural light, and granting patients the pleasure of enhanced visibility, can make all the difference. Integrating glass wall partitions, interior glass doors, and will help bring in and reflect light throughout rooms. Clinics and hospitals, regardless of size or stature, can tend to have a sad connotation attached to them, often feel as though they were built underground, these environments are the least conducive to recovery. Fluorescent lighting and limited visibility are exceptionally burdensome for those stuck inside. Increasing natural light flow is a great way to increase the quality of life within medical centers.

Privacy Matters

Though a lot of hospitals are oversaturated and burdened by our taxed medical system, there is no reason for patients to be existing on top of one another as we see today. Suffering from a medical condition, illness, injury or disease is already troublesome and stressful enough. Physically taxing, as well as mentally stressful, these patients don’t need to be wrought with more trauma. Privacy is a crucial component in rest and recovery. Without it, patient recovery will only delay turnover further and cause the overcrowding of medical facilities. By integrating increased spatial distinction throughout wellness centers and hospitals, we can expect to see faster and healthier recoveries. Wall partitions and floor to ceiling room dividers offer flexibility to be moved around or rearranged when needed, and require no major construction. The necessity to provide our sick with adequate privacy and a relaxing atmosphere is paramount at this point.

Due to current global health circumstances, we find it to be an exceptionally critical time to carefully consider medical center hospitals. The impending burden these facilities will experience calls for interior upgrades and conscious thought surrounds the success of patient recovery. The overall quality and design of these centers will play a large role in turnover time. With all of the above considerations and examples, hopefully, your medical center can blossom into a safe and inviting sanctuary for those in need of medical attention. For more inspiration and space-optimizing solutions, plan a visit to our closest location. Visit Us Online to browse our online viewing catalog and Enjoy A Free Consultation from one of our team members to actualize your vision today!

Effect of Covid-19 on Interior Design

Interior Design Trends

While office buildings, restaurants, and retail spaces remain void of workers and clients, now is the perfect time to tackle that interior upgrade you’ve been delaying. Due to the far-reaching shelter-in place mandates of the past two weeks, almost everyone is staying home in an effort to stop the spread of this novel Coronavirus. While everyone is temporarily out of normally bustling marketplaces, as a business owner, consider utilizing this rare opportunity to remodel or make those long over-due changes to your establishment you would have the time or financial ability to undertake. Whether you own a hair salon, a restaurant, a clothing store, or run a start-up, you’ll want to reemerge from this crisis better than how you looked going into it, and hopefully, inspire a new wave of excited customers who are all ready to get back to normal life and enjoy your flourishing business.

With all the extra time on your hands, turn this economic stagnation into a productive work investment, and take advantage of your freed-up schedule, the decreased cost of building materials, and the wealth of contracting companies hungry for work. This waiting period doesn’t have to consist of wasted time and lost business, but rather a unique opportunity to make the most out of an otherwise unfortunate circumstance. Here’s a simplified step-by-step process on how to reevaluate your interiors and invest in the future of your business coming out of this pandemic.

wellness glass walls with doctors in office quarantine room

Assess What You’re Working With

First off, it’s important to begin your project by observing what you have, evaluating the aspects of your interior space deciding what parts you like about your retail space, and then the areas that need improvement. Outline your clear vision and goals for the space before taking to the sledgehammers and hiring a full construction crew. See what aspects of your interiors you can keep and update with minor facelifts, and then identify which areas need serious attention. Breaking the space up into zones could be a useful way to prioritize certain projects or areas of improvement over others to keep on a steady track and not become too overwhelmed by the entirety of your remodel.

Determine Your Desired Aesthetic

Simply owning a business is work enough, so for many, to imagine undertaking an interior remodel can lead down a rabbit hole of fears and understandable excuses. With little free time, and the constant need to keep things running smoothly with a steady flow of customers, it’s hard to imagine committing to a project of that scale. Relinquishing time, money, and clientele for as long as it takes to finish a remodel is typically unfeasible for most business owners. Because of this, many businesses suffer from an out-of-date aesthetic, worn-out furnishings, and outdated interior design. This can greatly hinder any business’s brand identity, desirability, and draw. When setting out to redesign or enhance your interior, carefully consider how you want your business to be seen. Maintaining a consistent design theme will give your business better brand identity, and enhance its memorability. Are you going for a modern, sleek look? Integrate contemporary spatial solutions into your open floor plan such as glass wall partitions and frosted glass sliding doors rather than drab front-opening doors. For a more worldly, rustic feel, add warm tones and textiles throughout your space, such as colorful pillows, and intriguing wall art. What’s important is to pick a theme, and stick with it.

Maximize Space

Crafting a successful interior business space means working within your available square footage and optimizing what you can do with it. For businesses that need to partition space, consider upgrading your aesthetic with light allowing glass partitions that expand the inside space while still providing needed spatial barriers and helpful distinction. Choose from varying glass opacities to reach your desired look and level of privacy.

Add Contemporary Flourishes

Modern interior design has reintegrated a lot of design themes and textiles we saw in the sixties and seventies. A contemporary take on the bohemian theme has recirculated and proven to be quite successful in just about every retail space. From hairdressers to restaurants, this current trend inspired by Palm Springs mid-century modern mixed with worldly bohemia and plenty of house plant greenery has effectively rejuvenated outdated interiors and boosted business across the globe. Inspired flourishes such as bi-fold doors with glass, the use of material juxtapositions (such as wood and metal), and thought-provoking art are all great means to draw people in and keep them coming back.

By utilizing the above steps, you can integrate some of these considerations into your design process. Turning your time into a productive business investment could be the ultimate silver lining of this disastrous time. For more inspiration and space optimizing solutions, Visit Us Online to browse our online viewing catalog and Enjoy A Free Consultation from one of our team members to upgrade your facility today!

Medical Risk Management in Your Facility

Interior Design Trends

The growing awareness of dangers involved with the spread of the Coronavirus and other such seasonal cases of flu are increasing from moment to moment. As leading medical industry professionals, the public looks to you to find solutions for these ongoing medical challenges and to minimize the potential for getting sick from others when seeking treatment and help in your facilities.

Our innovative Wellness Walls allow hospitals, urgent care centers, and medical offices to partition off waiting rooms and provide individual waiting areas for patients. Our glass wall systems are modular and easy to install without major construction so healthcare facilities can quickly and efficiently add as many as needed. Each wall is made with our sturdy glass panels in an aluminum frame, making them a breeze to quickly clean and disinfect between patients.

Being a provider for Americans in need of urgent care during this pandemic, it is critical that you provide a clean, safe environment and waiting rooms for your patients. It is especially important to offer safe waiting rooms for high-risk patients such as the elderly, young children, and those with already compromised immune systems and existing illnesses. Here is how our Wellness Walls can

wellness glass walls coronavirus safe waiting room

Wellness Walls Features/Benefits:

Due to the current critical need for hospital cleanliness and separation, your medical facility needs to offer a safe spatial distancing solution for your patients. By integrating glass wall partitions into high frequented areas of your facility, like waiting rooms and pick-up zones, you can safeguard your patients and significantly decrease the risk for contraction and the spreading of diseases. Our Wellness Walls come in a myriad of available customizable options and require minimal time and effort to set up and take down. We use only the best materials, with the highest regard for safety and durability when crafting our partitions. Here are the best features and benefits of our innovative Glass Wellness Walls:

Glass/aluminum is easy to clean and disinfect
Promote Safe Environments
Increase the separation of patients to reduce contact/cross-contamination
- Reduced exposure to already ill patients
- Protect patients, staff and the public at from the spread of viruses and unwanted medical conditions
Opaque or clear glass to provide visual privacy when needed
Protection
Easy to transport, modular, demountable.
Staff can easily repurpose an office wall into a temporary checkpoint zone.
Allows you to transform a space in one day
No serious construction necessary for installation
Space Plus hands-on installers on-site to ensure set up is complete and smooth
Social-distancing

Why Space Plus is the option for you:

Our Wellness Wall systems can be installed swiftly and without major construction. Each system is constructed with durable yet lightweight material that can be moved or reconfigured as needed. We understand that every interior space and center is unique, and we are happy to help you choose the best configuration and spatial solutions for your healthcare facility. For over a decade, The Sliding Door Company has been an industry leader in interior glass solutions, providing the best customer service and products with the safety you can trust. Space Plus was created to fill a demand for medical-grade, commercial needs, and unique purposes, and has been leading the industry ever since the birth of our innovative second division. We have custom-designed thousands of systems for large companies including healthcare companies such as Quest Diagnostics and VA Hospitals. We intend to expand these relationships and assist as many medical centers and facilities as we can.

We offer certified safety you can trust that is factory direct
Customizable options such as glass opacity, accessories, sizes and configurations
Innovative industry leader
Swift Installation Schedules made easily available
Easy-to-install with no major construction needed
Outstanding Customer Service
10-year Warranty

The interior layout and hygiene you offer within your medical facility will play a large role in turnover time and ensuring that patients can get seen quickly, efficiently, and safely. With all of the above considerations, hopefully, your medical center can become the safe and inviting sanctuary necessary for those in need of medical attention. For more inspiration and space optimizing solutions, Visit Us Online to browse our online viewing catalog and Enjoy A Free Consultation from one of our team members to upgrade your facility today!

Pandemic Trends You Should Know

Interior Design Trends

For many, this past month has been a rollercoaster of emotions, confounding circumstances, economic turmoil, job instability, and too many unanswered questions to count. And in general, life as we know it, is beginning to shift. The rapid evolution of how we use and understand our contemporary world through the lens of modern technology has been exponentially sped up by the repercussions of this novel Coronavirus. Shelter-in-place mandates and home quarantines have left all of us in consideration of our collective future after COVID 19. Which aspects of this unprecedented moment will remain, and which behaviors and dependencies will be left for the history books?

Many foresee a general mentality shift towards many of our most human experiences. Perhaps environmental sustainability carried out in small actions during day-to-day life, increased reliance on technology, more online ordering, altered social interactions, awareness of our human impact on air quality, a reduction in daily commuting and a general sense of pragmatism towards climate change could all be interesting byproducts of this time. With so many people asked to work from home, as well as a heavier-than-usual reliance on computers, cell phones, and online ordering, this pandemic has caused many to adopt technology faster than they might have under normal circumstances. Predictions are buzzing about an increased desire and acceptance in freelance work, working from home and developing a minimalist schedule. Below are our top three predictions for general life coming out of this global crisis.

Death of the Daily Commute

One of the most undeniable by-products of the Coronavirus outbreak has been the incredible air quality transformation seen surrounding most major cities. With an unprecedented reduction of atmospheric pollution and ground-level smog in the past month, this atmospheric improvement supersedes any time prior to this event. Satellite images depicting clear spots over major cities and places of heavy industry such as China, Vietnam, and parts of the U.S., have left our heads spinning. With the obvious global impacts of millions in the workforce commuting daily, there’s no argument that we have been one of the leading contributors to air quality since the widespread adoption of the daily commute. We see this awareness becoming a catalyst for change, and leading towards more sustainable forms of transportation. Increased use of city metros, municipal buses, rideshares apps, and alternative forms of transportation such as bikes and electric scooters will hopefully become the new norm.

Home Offices

One of the most realistic industry predictions coming out of the coronavirus pandemic is an evolution towards working from home. While the initial mentality surrounding working from home was leaning towards negativity, there has since been a fresh perspective and silver lining collective realization. Many are now adopting a less is more mentality, and understanding the inherent benefits and savings associated with working from home. With that said, there will likely become a movement born out of this pandemic regarding the newfound desire to work out from under the confines of an office. Home offices and an increased start-up market will call for the use of home glass wall partitions, office dividers, stylish office accessories and spatial solutions that will seamlessly fit within a home and be consistent with the home’s given interior design. We might see more people turning guest bedrooms into usable spaces and increasing the value of their homes by turning them into working environments.

Increased Use of Digital Platforms

Novel reliance on technology has been our most effective saving grace during these troubling times. With so many stuck at home and in the confines of an indoor environment, human interaction, business, shopping, even food-ordering have all been reduced to an online existence. While this transition was inevitable in the sense that our global economy has been heading in a digital direction, this expedited reliance on the internet was realized so effortlessly which could indicate lasting impacts. Coming out of this pandemic we see an increase overall of technology reliance and a continuation of online ordering in a way that did not exist before the crisis. This will mean that companies who fall short in understanding the need for digital marketing and media will scramble to get themselves up-to-date and put themselves on the digital map so to speak in order to survive. People will most likely retain the majority of quarantine-influenced app downloads for food ordering, online entertainment, service apps, and dating/social apps. Because people were pushed to quickly understand how to these new apps, this could guarantee their user success. The question is now which businesses will thrive and which may not survive coming out of these uncertain times.

For more inspiration and space optimizing solutions, don’t hesitate to check out the best glass wall partitions, sliding glass barn doors, and spatial solutions offered at The Sliding Door Company. Our in-store locations are not available during this time, so please do Visit Us Online to browse our online viewing catalog and Enjoy A Free Consultation from one of our team members to actualize your vision today!

Sliding Barn Doors

Interior Design Trends

How to integrate, design and update your interiors

Typically, when we think “barn door”, we think of some rustic country barn and a grassy field depicting this nostalgic romanticism we can all identify with. The classic imagery of what a barn means to most of us, the feelings evoked and the memories it recalls, gives feeling to sweetness and rustic contentment. Contemporary designers have picked up on this feeling and have been able to successfully reimagine and evolve that barn door and establish it into the typical modern home.

Once introduced into the interior design world, the sliding barn door took off like wildfire. People of all backgrounds and tastes fell in love with this modern take on a once homely design. Offering sweet simplicity and the added ease of a seamless sliding door, the design is now a widespread hit.

While the first models and designs of the barn door were kept to a standard wood aesthetic, this original model has since evolved into many different iterations, with its more innovation forms aiming to complement any and all styles of home. From the sliding glass modern take to the industrial metal aesthetic, sustainable reclaimed wood, and everything in between, the sliding barn door now finds its way into homes across the globe. While this striking design flourish is loved and introduced by designers and architects alike, many people setting out to update their homes are still wondering how they can integrate these trendy doors into their homes and utilize them in their day-to-day life.

Being so versatile, sliding glass barn doors can be used pretty much anywhere- from the bathroom to closets, to effectively divide the living room, and in the office, the benefit of this design are endless. Enjoying a quiet close and open and offering generous flexibility uncommon in typical front opening doors, these sliding doors are a total game-changer. So, if you’re still wondering where you can integrate sliding barn doors and your home look no further.

The Living Room

One of the most popular uses of sliding barn doors has become in the shared spaces of a home. As a fantastic way to divide space and create a distinction within two separate entities, these barn doors are the perfect solution. Think about the inherent need for flexible separation between the kitchen and living room or as a means to manage an overbearing floor plan. To create a more cozy, intimate environment in a large living area, installing these sliding barn doors to create two separate spaces has become the ideal solution for many families.

Closets and Bathrooms

Needless to say, sliding doors to replace typical front-opening doors have many benefits when it comes to closets and bathrooms. Especially for those living in small scale city lofts, or single room apartments, any possible way to save square footage is an absolute must. For areas that are especially cramped and awkward, such as laundry rooms and bathrooms, it makes perfect sense to install a sliding door that carefully slides with ease along its track and takes up much less space. Closets are meant to save space. They should be organized and neat, tidy and easy to access. Sliding barn doors are the ultimate amalgamation of all those important qualities. Making very little noise, sliding closet doors are a brilliant solution for early morning wake-ups and conflicting work schedules that would otherwise disrupt your sleeping partner. Being so quiet and gentle, the sliding door causes very little noise and disruption.

Office

With so many people recently transitioning to a home office during the circumstances of COVID-19, many are desperate to find spatial solutions to quickly and affordably craft a quiet and productive workspace amongst a bustling home. One simple solution is, you guessed it, install sliding glass barn doors in an available area of the house to create a super flexible partition door that can be easily opened or closed depending on the need.

With all of the above integration tips and examples, hopefully you’ll have the inspiration you needed to integrate these beautiful glass barn doors into your home. For more inspiration and space optimizing solutions, don’t hesitate to check out the best glass wall partitions, sliding doors, and spatial solutions offered at The Sliding Door Company. Our in-store locations are not available during this time, so please do Visit Us Online to browse our online viewing catalog and Enjoy A Free Consultation from one of our team members to actualize your vision today!

Minimalism, the What, Why, and How

Interior Design Trends

When we think of minimalism, we tend to associate characteristics such as; stark, white, decluttered, avant-garde, artistic, inspired, and sometimes, even a tad cold. Everyone has their own gut reaction to modernism and minimalism. Some absolutely adore this less is more approach, while others crave a bit more vibrance and materialism within their spaces. No opinion is better or worse, but simply desertion of taste and opinion. Regardless of judgment, this minimalist approach is one that is currently flourishing and making itself known as a pioneering force in the architectural industry and as a trend that is here to stay. So, what are the defining principals and benefits of minimalism? Well, there just may be more than meets the eye.

The What

Minimalism is a product of the early 20th century and was introduced right around the beginning of the 1920s. This style of design was not only meant for interior spaces and architectural plans but also as a cultural evolution and vanguard lifestyle choice. What with its confounding starkness, lack of material items and a transition away from using personal things to characterize a home, this was a completely new concept, that revived the world of design. Many attribute this daring new development to the brilliance of Post-World War I architect Van der Rohe, as he was one of the first prominent architects to use minimalist principles in his designs. But what simplistic blueprints he first began with, would later come to define a widespread cultural zeitgeist, shaping our buildings and homes for decades to come.

The Why

So why exactly are we so drawn to minimalism? This approach to design is not just deeply pleasing to behold, but it also evokes many unsuspecting health benefits. Many believe that it’s clean, crisp lines, use of geometry, clutterless simplicity, and carefully considered color pallet and objects lend an opulence that allows us to makes sense of the space. We are able to exist in minimalist environments much more freely because it allows for it. Many report feelings of serenity, relaxation, mental clarity, and happiness when existing in a minimalist space. Overcrowded interiors can oftentimes take up too much space, clutter our minds, and create a claustrophobic experience. This concept stretches much further than architecture and interior design, with its employment in almost every industry today- from website design to furniture, cell phones, children’s toys, apps, cars, even clothing and visual art. We enjoy this straight-forward approach that seems to offer space for us to think, and create. Minimalism allows something other than the space to be the focus, therefore encompassing the beauty in honesty simplicity.

The How

What are the defining characteristics of interior minimalism? Though this may seem like a paradox, the truth is that there are many. Often times, designers report that crafting a bespoke minimalist interior is actually much more work and difficulty than going about a typical design process. With every detail carefully considered, and a constant subtracting of items and clutter, creating successful minimalism is no easy feat. Here are the main design principals to use when crafting your perfect minimal interior:

Ultra-modern furnishings
Vast open floor plan
Disregard frills, fringe, sparkle, and embellishments
Employ the use of contrasting textiles such as glass and metal, wood and wool, steel and greenery
Use geometric shapes, furnishings, and features (such as tables, countertops, lighting fixtures, and textiles)
Create balance
Stick to a monochromatic color scheme
Use textiles to introduce color rather than oversaturating walls and furnishings
Eliminate all unnecessary items
Reduce the amount of personal clutter (small photographs, little knick-knacks)
Install sliding glass doors, bathroom sliding doors, and bi-fold doors to integrate thoughtful space savers and clean design in the areas that typically go unnoticed
Allow for tons of natural light (use features like glass modern sliding doors, and frosted glass wall partitions to allow natural light to pass through and spread throughout the space)

For a successful minimalist interior, the job of the designer is to essentially create a showcase for exceptional architecture and a space in which you can call attention to stunning furniture design, brilliant woodworking, and the highest level of craftsmanship. It should be a space wherein it’s inhabitants can come home from their daytime lives and sink into their relaxing sanctuary, devoid of clutter and distraction.

The Sliding Door Company has everything you’ll need to get started on crafting the minimalist home of your dreams. Visit Us Online to browse our online viewing catalog and Enjoy A Free Consultation from one of our team members to actualize your vision today!