An essential guide to choosing the best fitted furniture for Veterinary Clinics

In a veterinary setting, fitted furniture is not just a design feature—it’s a key part of a practice’s operational efficiency and cleanliness. Veterinary clinics are high-traffic environments, where furniture is subject to constant use by staff, animals and clients and this means the materials chosen for cabinets, workstations and other units must meet the highest of standards, writes Tony Huggins, managing director of David Bailey Furniture.

Veterinary clinic furniture needs to be tough enough to resist scratches, dents and stains from everyday activity, including the potential for rough handling by pets. Hygiene is also paramount in veterinary environments, where preventing cross-contamination and infection is critical. Furniture surfaces should always be easy to clean and disinfect.

Furthermore, to keep a clinic running smoothly, furniture materials must require minimal upkeep while maintaining their appearance and functionality over time. Selecting materials with these factors in mind helps ensure that fitted furniture will not only last for years, but will also support a clean, safe and professional space for staff, patients and pet owners.

So, what should a veterinary practice be looking for when it comes to choosing the right kind of fitted furniture? It must certainly be able to withstand heavy use without showing signs of wear. Veterinary practices are busy, fast-paced environments where scratches, spills and accidents are common. Therefore, selecting materials that are highly durable is essential. Materials should be impact-resistant, able to handle weight and capable of enduring the rough treatment they might receive from both animals and staff.

Cleanliness is also critical in any medical setting, including veterinary clinics. Surfaces need to be easy to sanitise and resistant to bacterial growth. Choosing non-porous materials helps prevent the absorption of spills and makes disinfecting between patients more efficient.

This is because veterinary clinics often experience exposure to moisture from spills, cleaning procedures and even animals themselves. Selecting materials that resist moisture prevents them from warping, staining or degrading over time. Strong disinfectants and cleaners are also used in veterinary clinics to maintain hygiene. This means that materials should be resistant to these chemicals to avoid damage or deterioration from repeated cleaning.

While functionality and durability are also essential, aesthetics should not be neglected. Fitted furniture that looks professional and aligns with the clinic’s branding can help create a welcoming environment for clients and improve the overall atmosphere.

Best materials for veterinary clinic fitted furniture

To create a veterinary clinic that is functional, safe and aesthetically pleasing, choosing the right materials for fitted furniture is crucial. Here are some of our suggestions for the most suitable materials for veterinary clinic furniture, keeping in mind durability, hygiene and ease of maintenance.

High-pressure laminate (HPL) is an excellent material for countertops, work surfaces and cabinets in veterinary clinics. It is highly durable, scratch and moisture-resistant, making it ideal for the wear and tear of a busy clinic. HPL is also non-porous, which helps to prevent the absorption of liquids and makes it easy to disinfect after each use.

HPL comes in a variety of colours and finishes, allowing for custom design options that can align with the clinic’s aesthetic preferences. It’s affordable and easy to maintain, making it a popular choice in veterinary environments.

Stainless steel is also a top choice for surfaces that require extreme durability and hygiene, such as surgical tables, sinks and shelving. Its non-porous surface resists bacterial growth, making it easy to sanitise, while its resistance to rust, moisture and chemicals ensures a long-lasting product.

Stainless steel is particularly suitable for wet areas of the clinic, as it will not corrode or warp when exposed to water or cleaning agents. While it may not be the most aesthetically pleasing option for all furniture, its functionality in key areas makes it an indispensable material in veterinary clinics.

Solid surface materials are also ideal for countertops and workstations in veterinary clinics. These materials are durable, non-porous and easy to clean, making them perfect for environments that require strict hygiene standards. Solid surface materials can also be moulded into seamless surfaces, which eliminates joints and crevices where bacteria can hide, making cleaning even easier.

In fitted furniture with exposed edges, such as cabinets, and carcases, PVC edging is an essential material. It protects the edges from impact and moisture while providing a smooth, easy-to-clean surface. PVC edging is resistant to chips, stains and moisture, which helps prolong the lifespan of the furniture. It’s often used in combination with laminates to ensure that the entire piece of furniture remains sealed and durable.

ABS edging is highly recommended. It is a highly resistant laminate banding which is abrasion resistant, impact resistant, mechanically and thermally resilient and ecologically sound to boot. ABS is lighter in composition and density than PVC but still provides an incredibly durable surface to protect your board edges. It offers some of the same positives as PVC, with the added bonus of being fully recyclable and biodegradable. Its protective properties make it an ideal edging material for high use items such as doors and countertops. While still offering moisture protection, its smooth finish, which is very easy to clean, offers the extra diamond hard protection in the areas that require it the most.

For shelving, storage units and sometimes even workstations, powder-coated steel also offers a robust and long-lasting option. This material is resistant to scratches, moisture and chemicals, making it suitable for high-traffic and high-use areas. Powder-coated steel can also be coloured in various shades, which allows for customisation to fit the clinic’s design.

What about the cabinets?

Melamine-faced chipboard (MFC) is a versatile, cost-effective option for cabinets and storage units in veterinary clinics. It offers a balance between durability and affordability, with its surface being scratch and stain-resistant. While it may not be as robust as solid wood or metal, MFC is suitable for low-stress areas such as office spaces, client reception areas or storage for lightweight items.

In reception desks, partitions or display cases, glass or acrylic panels provide a modern, sleek look while offering easy maintenance and durability. Acrylic, in particular, is a safer option than glass in veterinary settings due to its shatter-resistant properties. Both materials are non-porous and can be cleaned easily to maintain a hygienic appearance.

To further assist with hygiene, antimicrobial coatings can be applied to various surfaces including worktops, handles and cabinets. These coatings actively prevent the growth of bacteria, fungi and other harmful microorganisms, which is particularly useful in environments like veterinary clinics where hygiene is critical.

While selecting the best materials is essential, the design and installation of the furniture also play a key role in the clinic’s functionality. David Bailey Furniture offers tailored solutions to veterinary clinics, providing fitted furniture designed to maximise space efficiency and meet the practical needs of the environment. Our expertise in creating durable, high-quality fitted furniture ensures that the materials used are not only aesthetically pleasing but also meet the rigorous demands of veterinary practices.

Furthermore, for clinics looking for flexibility, David Bailey’s Toprail system is an innovative modular solution that allows for easy reconfiguration of workspaces. This system is particularly useful in veterinary settings where adaptability is required to meet the changing needs of the practice.

Maintenance tips

Once installed, to ensure that veterinary clinic fitted furniture remains in top condition, regular maintenance is necessary. Surfaces should be cleaned with appropriate disinfectants regularly, especially in areas where animals are treated. Be sure to use cleaners that are suitable for the materials to avoid damage.

Routinely check for scratches, dents or damage to surfaces and furniture components. Promptly addressing these issues can prevent further deterioration and maintain the furniture’s functionality and appearance. Avoid leaving moisture on furniture surfaces for long periods, as this can lead to warping or corrosion depending on the material and for certain materials like wood or laminates, consider using protective coatings to extend their lifespan and improve resistance to stains and damage.

Choosing the right materials for veterinary clinic fitted furniture is crucial for creating an environment that is durable, hygienic and easy to maintain. High-pressure laminate, stainless steel, solid surface materials and powder-coated steel are just a few of the materials that can withstand the rigours of a veterinary practice while offering the necessary hygiene standards. Additionally, innovative solutions like antimicrobial coatings and modular systems like David Bailey Furniture’s Toprail provide both flexibility and sustainability for clinics looking to optimise their spaces.

All this means that by selecting the appropriate materials and maintaining them properly, veterinary clinics can ensure that their furniture supports the clinic’s operational efficiency and hygiene standards for years to come.