Take Rafael O’Neil, who was once voted as the best massage therapist in Houston. His devoted clients flock from thousands of miles away just for a massage session with him.

“It’s not just his hands that work magic, but the whole ambience of his office radiates healing,” says Brian Luke Seaward, one of his clients and Holistic Stress Management speaker and author.

Countless studies have stressed the role of aesthetics and ambience in our well-being. So if you want your clients to forget their woes and de-stress, you have to make them relax the moment they enter your massage space.

Whether you are just in the planning stage or re-designing your massage room, here are some interior design inspirations to help you achieve a beautiful space for your clients to relax and a place they’ll want to keep coming back to.

Massage Space Interior Design Considerations

First, decide on a budget. Consider how much you can invest in decorating your space. Focus on two goals: your happiness and the functionality of the space.

You can try to rent a commercial space, re-design a room in your house, or share an office with other massage therapists or bodyworkers.

When you’ve decided on the setting and location, you can then proceed with these massage room interior design basics.

The Entrance and the Walls

Never underestimate the power of a door and allure of what’s behind it.

How do you bring people in? Is there a front door? Is there a separate entrance? Is it a narrow pathway?

The tone of your interior design starts with the door. It should be clean and welcoming, so get creative with dramatic flair!

Most importantly, always remember what your clients get to shut out behind it once it’s closed.

The walls, on the other hand, dictate the balance in a room and ooze out the elegance and relaxation factor.

You can choose a washable wallpaper or paint, depending on your style and the combination of patterns and textures, that works for your budget.

Mark A. Miller, owner of Mark A. Miller Architecture, suggests that warm tones for the color are good for the psyche. He says, “There’s a lot of psychology behind it. There are 1,000 shades of white, but linen is one of the best whites ever made. It is warm and inviting, it literally hugs you.”

The Furniture, Storage, and Equipment

Simplicity goes a long way when setting up all the things that go inside the room. You know the main attraction in your massage space, right? A pleasing and comfortable massage table.

Given the relatively small space in most massage rooms, we don’t typically have much of a choice where the table goes, but based on the basics of Feng shui, there’s one position to avoid: the coffin position.

“This worst position is directly in front of the door with the client’s feet facing the door. This is called the ‘coffin position’ because in ancient China the dead were laid with their feet toward the door for easier access to heaven. The coffin position’ drains away all of an individual’s good luck and energy,” says Nicole Cutler, an advocate of integrating perspectives on health.

When buying furniture, equipment and storage cabinets, don’t forget to think about the needs of your clients.

Create a changing area for clients that is both personal and comfortable. Consider hanging a nice mirror if possible so your clients can fix their hair, clothes and makeup before leaving.

Also, don’t forget to add a functional storage area for your client’s personal belongings. It can be as simple as another table or a cabinet near the massage table where they can put their phone, jewelry or keys for safe keeping.

As for your supplies (oils, lotions, towels and other massage tools), it’s better to put them in an easily accessible cabinet that you can quickly reach them.

The Flooring

Floor coverings can greatly impact the style of a room, so choose the finish (if possible) that is not just stylish but safe and long-lasting. Remember it must withstand years of foot traffic with no harmful toxins and a have modern design that stays in style.

You can choose among vinyl tiles, wood or cushioned recreational surfaces. Avoid marble, granite or any tile that is too hard for you to stand on. If the floor is plain cement, consider painting it or sync it to the color of the wall. Monochromatic schemes and unbroken lines can make a room look bigger than it actually is and creates a harmonious environment.

Lighting and Ceiling

Check out some very fascinating and creative ceiling ideas from Pinterest. These stunning photos of massage room ceilings could certainly give you some effective ideas on how to decorate your massage room ceiling.

During each massage session, your clients will only have the choices of looking face down at the floor or up at the ceiling, so make sure you put some time and thought into decorating these areas of your massage room.

Do you know why lighting is crucial in massage space interior design?

A study that was published by the Journal of Ergonomics, states that lighting and colors affect one’s mood.

“Light certainly has a physiological impact on people,” says Dr Alan Lewis, a lecturer in architecture at Manchester University.

He continues, “Research has shown that visible light helps the human body to regulate the production of the hormone melatonin, which in turn helps to regulate our body clock, affecting sleep patterns and digestion. Visible light also helps to stimulate the body’s production of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which can reduce the symptoms of depression.”

When it comes to your massage space, you can explore different light setups that are tailored to your budget. Customized fancy dimmers can add elegance along with a combination of lamps, candles, and dim lights.

For an even more relaxing and pleasant ambiance, distribute the brightness in your massage space with a combination of ceiling and wall lighting and a mix of mid and low levels of illumination such as candles and Himalayan salt lamps.

Strut Your Style in Decors

Your style and personality are reflected in your massage space interior design, specifically in the decor you choose. You may design the walls with murals, plants, tapestry or a set of candles without overdoing it.

You can go modern and zen and make the overall feel thematic or uniform. You can show your flair for the antiques by adding treasured collections or how about adding a small water fountain in the room to relax the senses.

Whatever combination of decor you choose, remember to keep it simple and don’t over do it. Simplicity and functionality are your goals. You don’t want your clients to feel claustrophobic, and you’ll want plenty of space to move around during sessions.

Massage Space Interior Design Tips

Declutter and Organize

In Feng Shui, less is more. That doesn’t mean scrimping on supplies and other necessities though. You just need to find a way to hide things and make every corner of the room functional.

For example, you can use well-designed boxes as both storage and décor. You can use a curtain or a divider to hide the view of stocks and supplies from the massage room.

As Feng Shui experts put it, too many elements in a room can be overwhelming, and clutter and debris obstruct the flow of chi or good luck. So always keep it clean and organized.

Comfort is Crucial

Always check if the massage table is comfortable and relaxing for your client. Check for any rough spots and sharp edges.

Control the temperature in your massage room because every client is different. Always adjust the A/C according to your client’s request.

Consider the music used for the massage. Some clients may prefer silence and no music at all, while others love listening to ambient or nature sounds. The goal should always be to induce maximum relaxation. Not sure which you should choose? Ask about (and take note of) your massage client’s preferences.

Another comfort feature to consider is the talkative nature of your clients. We all have clients who just want to talk all the way through their massage session and sometimes you may feel more like a counselor than a massage therapist, but there are others who just want to completely tune out once the massage commences. The rule of thumb here is, if they’re not talking to you, then don’t talk to them.

The Key Element to Massage Room Design

The key element is you!

As a professional massage therapist, don’t underplay your skills when it comes to interior design. Sure, it can start out feeling complicated but the key to every successful interior design is this: a deep understanding of the human character and its need for transformation. And you know exactly how to do this.

You’re in touch with your skills as a massage therapist and bodywork professional, and you understand the difference between pain and relaxation.

Try to relax before you begin each session. Light stretching, a glass of water or deep breathing exercises can help get you centered. You are the key element in creating the beautiful ambient space that your massage clients will look forward to visiting and the massage session itself. Not sure where to begin to get in the right headspace? Check out this article about five stretches for massage therapists to do before sessions.

Have fun designing your massage room! If you know any fellow MTs or bodyworkers who could use some help designing their massage rooms, we’d really appreciate it if you shared these tips and ideas with them too.

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