Family Waiting Room Makeover at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond
Heads up: this post covers a few different updates because life has been pleasantly busy lately, and projects are popping up in several directions at once. We’re excited to be taking on more work beyond our own home — projects that serve communities and worthy causes. One such project is the Homearama Showhouse for Habitat for Humanity, which we’ve mentioned before and continues to be a big part of our off-campus work.
Another special, recent invitation is a real honor: we’ve been asked to help decorate a family waiting room at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. The hospital reached out hoping we could volunteer our time to make this space feel warmer, more homey, and seasonal for the holidays. The room is where many families will spend important moments — in some cases their holidays — while their children receive care, so the goal was to create a soothing, comforting environment that still feels festive.
We were thrilled to accept. The hospital entrusted us with their “Spread Cheer” campaign for this room, and we immediately began planning. It’s a fun challenge because the space must balance playfulness for kids with a calm, welcoming atmosphere for the whole family. There are also strict safety, sanitation, and maintenance requirements in a medical setting, so some common cozy elements—like plush toys and loose pillows—aren’t appropriate.
One important detail: the hospital already has colorful play and arts spaces for children. This waiting room is meant for families to gather and rest together, so the emphasis is on a soothing, homey feel with a few child-friendly touches.
We only had our first meeting last week, so the timeline is tight — especially with the holidays approaching — but the team has been quick to adapt. We’re learning what works in a clean medical environment: durable, easy-to-clean fabrics and decor that can be sanitized or replaced as needed. That has shaped every decision.
Below is a mood board of our initial concepts. These ideas will evolve as we move forward, but they give a clear sense of direction for the space and for the holiday touches we’ll add quickly.
- U-Fab generously donated a sturdy upholstered armchair from their showroom to create a story-time corner — or a comfy spot for Santa if he visits. The upholstery is heavy-duty and suitable for public spaces; it reads as wheat and blue in person and has held up well in high-use settings.
- After reviewing swatches, we picked a paint called Gargoyle for the walls because it complements the existing wood paneling, which must remain for maintenance reasons. The room’s abundant natural light allows us to choose a slightly deeper, warmer tone to enhance the cozy feel.
- To represent the diverse families using the room, we’re including both a menorah and a Christmas tree. For safety and fire-code reasons we’ll use electric or battery-operated options instead of open flames. The hospital plans to keep this decor for future years, so we’re selecting pieces that will be easy to store and reuse.
- We’re envisioning a cluster of hanging snowflakes in a location that won’t obstruct traffic. They may not all be gold; we’re aiming for a playful, light-catching display that feels festive but unobtrusive.
- Garlands will add warmth and personality. We plan to involve children with a simple craft version that they can color, which we’ll string together to create a meaningful, kid-made decoration the families will enjoy.
- Twinkle lights will be used strategically to create a soft, comforting glow throughout the room without overwhelming the space.
- U-Fab will also help with fabric and sewing two custom valances for the windows. Full-length curtains aren’t allowed for safety reasons, but valances will add a finished, homey touch while meeting hospital guidelines.
- We’ll suggest a faux “campfire” element near the recessed area under the built-in around the TV. A temporary painted panel that suggests a fire, plus stockings on a mantel-like shelf, will give families a fireplace-like focal point without any hazards.
- We plan to adapt our leaning chalkboard idea into a large, wall-mounted chalkboard for families to write holiday wishes and messages. Chalk is easy to clean and safer for upholstery than markers, so it works well for a hospital setting.
- The tree will be faux for fire-code reasons, and we’re leaning toward a colorful, cheerful design that brings holiday spirit while keeping the room calm and welcoming.
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The mood board covers roughly half of our to-do list. We’ll also create centerpieces, holiday-ready tablecloths, original DIY art, and a handful of other details to complete the transformation. Our target is to finish in the next two weeks, which will be a fast-paced effort, especially with Thanksgiving in the middle of the timeline.
We’re grateful for the opportunity to help create a peaceful holiday space for families at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond. The hospital will document the makeover and capture family reactions, and we’re already preparing emotionally — it’s the kind of project that reminds us why we do this work. We look forward to sharing progress and seeing the room come to life for the families who will use it.