It is absolutely impossible to imagine wayfinding in a hotel or any other hospitality facility without room numbers. These are simple but very effective tools that serve as silent guides to both visitors and employees who need to locate the right rooms quickly and without much hustle. More than that, room door numbers are often seen in offices and shopping malls, because it appears that the numerical system of a space organisation is the most straightforward.
Nonetheless, not everyone knows how to choose a really effective door number, not just a plaque with a random numeral printed on it. You are lucky to find this article. Bsign specialists are going to share some valuable tips.
What Features to Consider?
First and foremost, we need to specify criteria according to which we are going to select a perfect room door number. They are quite simple and understandable:
- Visibility: In order to be identifiable, a room door plaque has to be visible from a distance because this is how a visitor new to the building can locate it at the very first glance.
- Serviceability: You do not want to change a room number plaque once a month. You want to put it once and for all. That is why here we will consider only serviceable materials that will not wear off too quickly.
- Accessibility: The function of a door number sign is to provide access to an area. To make it smoother, a door number should include only relevant information available in an accessible form to everyone.
Opt for High-Contrast Colors
It is very difficult to identify and distinguish a room number sign when its colors blend with that of a surrounding. You have to avoid that at all costs because you do not expect your visitors to be trained to distinguish small elements made in the same colors.
Besides, many visitors might have issues with the color distinction. Your obligation is to make sure they will feel comfortable and will be able to freely spot a room number sign once they look in a necessary direction. The combination of really high-contrast colors will be very helpful here.
Pay Attention to Durability
As mentioned above, a serviceable room number sign is one that will not wear off after a few times of wiping it from dust. That is why we recommend paying special attention to the materials and their finishes. The best options to consider right now are:
- Stainless steel: This material is very resistant to corrosion and physical damage. It is easy to clean and it has a very modern look that suits almost any interior design.
- Acrylic glass: The versatility of this material makes it a very popular choice among manufacturers. Besides, it is resistant to scratches.
Make a Choice of the Mount Mechanism
There are two ways of attaching your room number sign to the door:
- With a double-sided tape;
- With bolts.
Each of those methods has its advantages and disadvantages. A screw-based mount, on the one hand, ensured the longevity of the mechanism. Unlike a double-sided tape, it cannot be put down with high humidity or other varying conditions.
However, you have to make screw holes in your doors. If you do not want to damage the door surface, a double-sided tape is a better option.
Simplify Fonts
Last but not least, a room number sign has to deliver the information up to the point. Visitors should not stand in front of the door trying to decipher the number — strive for maximum clarity. Avoid too sophisticated fonts and use internationally recognisable symbols.
One more way to enhance accessibility is to make characters and numerals tactile. For maximum inclusivity, add inscriptions in Braille that will simplify wayfinding for individuals with vision impairments.
