When commercial furniture is being purchased for residential care facilities, it is understandable that a considerable level of thought goes into making specific choices.

What those choices relate to will be influenced by the type of residential care facility that is purchasing the commercial furniture.

For example, if the facility houses mental health patients, you will expect one of the desirable features of commercial furniture being purchased is that it is tamperproof, given the risks created such as patients being able to disassemble furniture to create items they can self-harm themselves with.

Alternatively, in residential care facilities where the residents are elderly, that feature may not be seen as necessary.

However, the portability of certain items of commercial furniture, such as chairs that can be moved easily by residents or care staff, would be higher up the list of requirements.

Notwithstanding the previous two paragraphs, there are some features of commercial furniture designed for use in residential care homes, where the requirements will be similar in all facility types.

One of those features is the upholstery that any item of commercial furniture has.

Given that this upholstery will still need to be suitable for use in care facilities, there are certain characteristics it should have, and here are five of them that should be present.

Characteristic #1 – Comfort

There are often complex issues that staff in care facilities have to deal with to care for their residents but by the same token, there are also some which are simplistic.

One of those must surely be that residents are made as comfortable as possible at all times, and the upholstery on chairs most certainly aids that aim, such as being non-abrasive or breathable, for example.

Characteristic #2 – Durability

The desire to have commercial furniture in a care facility that will last, and to be able to stand up to some of the issues that might be created is significant.

An example relating to upholstery is that it wears well given that it might be sat on numerous times and for many hours throughout the day.

It should also be robust enough that it is not easily ripped or snagged leading to loose threads.

Characteristic #3 – Cleanability

Anyone who either works or resides in a residential care facility will tell you that food, drink, and all other substances get dropped or spilled on furniture frequently.

Whether accidentally, or by a resident doing so deliberately, it is essential commercial furniture upholstery can be cleaned easily and effectively.

This might mean the upholstery has a special coating or is such that it can more readily resist stains caused by food and drink.

Characteristic #4 – Safety

There are two main aspects relating to the safety of upholstery for residential care facility furniture.

The first relates to its robustness and the risk that it can be removed and potentially used to create a ligature.

This would be especially concerning in a mental health facility.

The other safety aspect applies to all care facilities, but is especially important in aged care facilities and that is anti-bacterial coatings given that elderly persons often have compromised immune systems.

Characteristic #5 – Appearance

Whilst the previous four characteristics we have described relate to practical matters, this refers to something which is often in the eye of the beholder, and that is the upholstery’s appearance.

Whilst it might be impossible to have upholstery on commercial furniture that appeals to the tastes of every resident or member of care staff, steps should be taken to at least ensure that the upholstery compliments any existing furniture and decor within the care facility.