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Decor in a chiropratic setting

I was hired to work in a chiropractors office and he has given me free rein to decorate the room however I want. I want to keep it more clinical than spa like, but it seems everything I'm finding on the internet is geared towards more spa-like setting.

I have some ideas, but I don't want the themes to be conflicting either. On the wall nearest the door I was going to hang my accreditations and ABMP code of ethics. The wall infront of the client, when they are supine, was going to have pics of the oregon coast (think ocean and forrest). The wall behind the client is where I planned on hanging muscle man posters. I figured, if the client can't see them, it won't take away from their relaxation. I was also going to be providing soft lighting (via a lamp) and places to put clothing.

I have one wall that is going to be completely blank, mostly because I can't think of what to put there. But I feel I need something there because it's the first wall you see when you enter the room. I was thinking about painting it, but of course I would need to clear it with the chiro first.

So, what are your thoughts? Any ideas would be appreciated. Thank you.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by colleen fennessey on January 17, 2011 at 10:16am

Hi there-

I think its great that you are putting so much thought into your room- i think rooms that tend to be distracting and cluttered usually occur due to lack of thought-

i like the idea of having a room that does not have too much going on and it sounds like thats what you are going for as well- i think the idea of having the room painted a relaxing color is a great idea and i wouldnt worry too much if you have a whole wall that is free from decor- but it would be good to have a back up idea in case you find that it looks too empty- perhaps another similar nature picture-

I would recommend that you have a mirror somewhere in the room so that people can fix their hair and/or makeup after their massage since it is so easy to look a little disheveled after a great massage ;)

good luck!

Permalink Reply by Pam Bilyeu NCMT NCPT LPN on January 17, 2011 at 11:36am

If you want it to be more "clinical"....go more minimalist in decor. Do one LARGE impact piece of art, a closed peice of storage furniture, and plenty of lighting....spa lighting is very DIM....go a bit brighter....because most therapeutic work is shorter in duration and you also are conversing with the client as well as educating them along the way...they should be able to see you. Many pole lamps have 2 fivtures with dimmers on...so you can go dim for a relaxation session.

Also...monochomatic...walls, blankets, towels....keep all in similar tone...use art and furniture to bring an anchoring effect to the space. Biggiest mistake is too many smaller items....it looks cluttered. Take photos and edit the room from that perspective! Have fun. I used to be an event planner and did alot of high end weddings...we always went for bigger simpler looking peices...for high impact. Hope this helps!!

Permalink Reply by Michelle Batac on January 17, 2011 at 11:55am

I actually have it more spa than clinical, but a good balance. He want to emphasize relaxation in his office, so I keep true to that, but it is a doctor office, so... You know.
Anyways, I agree with the said replies. Especially agree with a mirror. In fact, that is a compliment I hear often, is my full length mirror, a high impact piece. I utilize it on the back too, so it functions as my hanger for personal stuff (purse, scarf, jacket, etc) as I dont have another place of my own in the office. I do this with command hooks.
I wish I could paint the room a different color, but tan isn't so bad. So, I have everything in neutral color, the sheets are always white though, to keep it clinical looking. Light are on dimmers, offset from the head of the table. Speakers are surround sound, to drown out noise coming from waiting room and treatment rooms. One big pic of art, another smaller mirror with hook attachment above a small, a very small, table for client personal items. Now, the room isn't that big, but people tell me it looks bigger the way I have it arranged. The funny thing is, I added more furniture than the previous therapist they had, go figure. I added the mirror and the small table and hooks, everything else was there already. There is also a normal captains chair next to the small table, too. Hope that kinda helped out!

Permalink Reply by Jacqueline M Curan on January 18, 2011 at 3:53pm

I have my own office in a chiropractor's office also. I have 2 large windows so my wll space is limited. I have the 2 large posters of man w/muscles and skeleton. I also have trigger point charts and licenses on another wall. A mirror on the last wall. No pictures so far.