Decorating room

[momof3granof1]

I am a massage therapist employed at a physical therapy clinic (I do not rent) Now that my career is really starting to get going my boss has agreed to give me a room as long as physical therapists can use it if need be when I am out of the office, which I have no problem with. I understand that I am techinically in a "therapeutic" enviroment but should that stop me from having a room that I think would be more appropriate? Right now some of the PT things are still in the room (but on roll aways so they could technically be rolled back in if they need them) There's just something about muscle charts hangin on the walls, an ultrasound machine in the corner, and a display of the spine that to me makes it feel like a doctors office... Not too relaxing to me. Not to mention the hideous paintings from 1980 that do not at all go with my massage and relax image. All I want is to rid the room of some of the clutter, and hang some more appropriate things on the walls. Do I have any right at all to ask this? He is supplying me with all my supplies plus a space, am i asking too much? I had other ideas, like a more comfortable area rug under the table so patients feet dont touch the hard, cold office carpet... and also, our office is in a remodeled old school house, so alot of out walls still have the original chalk boards. It give the building great character and I adore it but the largest wall in my room is a chalk board, and every time I walk in to me it gives the room a cold feeling. I'm not sure how I would help that at all. To make a long story short (lol) I don't know how to approach him about this or if it's even my place, or if any of my ideas would even be appropriate since the room will double for PT space when not in use. Just wondering if any of my colleagues could offer any friendly advice. thanks

 

[trigga1uk]

If I were you, I would say something like....

There are a few things I would like to change about the room you are providing me. I would like to move the painting somewhere else, is this okay? The equipment that is stored in the room, it will be getting in the way while I work. Is there another place we could store it?

Before you ask tho, I would suggest finding a place for the equipment on your own (but not moving it!!) so when he or she says they dont know where it could go, you can make a suggestion. Same with the painting.

 

[Lee2332]

Decorating room

so patients feet dont touch the hard, cold office carpet...

sorry, cold carpet? t017 t102

i have seen a spa that had wood floors place a small rug (2x3') on the side of the table to avoid slippage. that would be something portable that you could contribute during your stay in the room.

my number one priority would be to address the lighting. softer or adjustable lighting can make a world of difference, regardless of what is in the room or on the walls.

i'd also consider an eye pillow to enhance a client's experience. it's a personal choice though. some folks don't care for it; others love it.

 

[Mystic Shiva Says]

I guess cold carpet does sound a little funny, lol. I guess what I meant was the carpet is worn in and very rough, not like a nice soft carpet. Can you imagine walking around a busy office barefoot... yea it's that thought that bothers me I guess lol

But thank you every one for your imput, it is helping!

I managed to get him to relocate the equipment, but I'm still working on the scary looking spine and pelvis replica and life size skeletal chart lol boys, j/k

 

[Cee]

I wouldn't worry about the anatomical charts. I think most clients like looking at them and it helps to have a visual available when you explain how everything is connected together.

If you soften the lighting as mention, that goes a long way to changing the atmosphere and even hiding such things as worn carpet.

A few plants might help to enhance the feel of the room?

Angie

 

[anonomous]

If you find the skeleton, etc out of sync with the way you want the mood of the room, is there any way you could use a screen to shield them? That would also leave them accessible if you needed to use them.

And definitely look into dimming the lights; that alone makes many things "fade into the background". I used to work in a PT clinic... and it was "clinical". We used to turn the lights under the upper cabinets on and the overhead lights off and we had massage music on. It wasn't bad at all that way.

 

[HouAnswerGuy]

Thank you everyone!

As far as the lighting, I agree that it will make an amazing difference. Unfortunately right now the only lighting is those horrible flourescent lights common in offices, so my first mission today is to find a dimming lamp lol My boss seemed to let up and agree to let me do what I want after I gave a massage to a therapist from one of our other offices and the only feedback she had was making the room seem more inviting and comfortable

 

[justswimmin]

One of those torche lamps that directs the light up to the ceiling would probably work great.

 

[Polly <3]

Even if you can't find a dimming lamp... Ikea sells dimming switches that you plug the lamp into... and then control it from secondary switch!