Jackie Piller, a therapist in MA, offers us some valuable tips from her office feature on creating a gorgeous and harmonious office space for ourselves and clients!
We asked Jackie:
Do you have any advice for therapists who are just starting out and designing their office for the first time, or seasoned therapists looking to redesign their offices?
Tip 1: Branding or Re-Branding – Digital & Décor in Synch
I would suggest putting in the time to intentionally plan your overall brand and practice vision while also linking that with your practice design and décor.
A feeling of cohesion is very important in my mind. You want your brand, digital and décor footprint to be in synch.
Tip 2: Personalize Your Space
I would recommend personalizing your space so that it does reflect you, your interests, and your specific style.
Clients want to understand who their therapist is; design is a way to do that in my opinion.
I love art and my office reflects that part of me.
Tip 3: Include a Bookcase as a Signature Detail in Your Design
I view bookcases as a signature décor office item for therapists, often excellent focal points in a therapy space. Books have aesthetic value in a therapy space and convey that you are a well-read mental health professional.
I have books on my bookshelf that highlight my training, expertise, and overall interests.
I would also recommend not hanging your diplomas or certificates on the wall but styling the key ones on your bookcase (in the same frame if possible) along with books, art, and decorative objects.
I believe this is a more modern and visually styled approach.
Tip 4: Create a Virtual Spotlight Area: Zones in Your Office
I would recommend having an area of your office that is set up to offer virtual therapy while also offering an aesthetically pleasing vibe and background.
I have two zones in my office: a work zone and a therapy zone. My desk is in the work zone and my seating area is in the therapy zone.
When I am meeting with a client virtually, the background is my styled bookcase, which looks aesthetically pleasing and professional.
Tip 5: Explore Shapes, Textiles & Patterns
I would suggest utilizing various shapes, textiles and 1-6 patterns to increase layering, dimension, a sense of movement and overall visual interest in your office. Choose your patterns in similar tones for cohesion and repetition.
I would recommend having only 1 bold pattern in terms of pattern size. I like the impact of a big, patterned rug to anchor each zone in an office.
I used the same Scandi style diamond pattern wool rug in two different sizes in my office to both join and ground my work and therapy spaces.
Tip 6: Incorporate Feng Shui
A fun and immediate feng shui update anyone can do is Move 27 things in your office; this moves chi (energy) around. I utilized a bagua map on top of my office floor plan to focus on harnessing specific areas of feng shui energy.
Free information is available on the web about feng shui if you have interest in incorporating this element into your office.
There’s also a book called Feng Shui Modern by Cliff Tan worth reading!
Jackie Piller is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Wrentham, MA…
Learn more about her work at:
The Piller Group
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