9 Ideas for Massage Decor [Portable and Van Setups, Too!]

There’s more to running a successful massage business than knowing how to give a great massage.

Massage therapists at the top of their game know it’s equally as important to make their clients feel comfortable, calm, and relaxed at all times.

To make your business thrive, you have to create a soothing atmosphere that puts your clients at ease.

With a few essential tools and these décor ideas, you can put them in a relaxed state of mind from the moment they walk through the door.

Whether you rent a spa, perform massages in your home, or go mobile, here are nine spa design ideas that will keep your clients coming back for more!

1. Massage Tables and Chairs

There’s one item that every massage therapist needs:

A massage table.

Whether you do on-site massages or travel to clients’ homes, you’ll need a sturdy, comfortable massage table to do your job. It’s the most important tool in your massage therapy toolbox.

But if your clients come to you, you’ll also need chairs.

We’re not talking about those massive, pulsating massage chairs that you see in the mall. We’re talking about living room-type accent chairs or sofas. Ensure they have soft seat cushions and throw pillows that your clients can sit on while waiting for their appointment.

If and when a client runs late, having a comfy seat for your next client can make or break your tips.

Get the deets on going solo: Read our How-to Guide for Becoming a Freelance Massage Therapist

2. Candles

Candles are the perfect way to set a relaxing, soothing, ambient mood in your spa room.

Opt for pillar candles in different shapes and sizes if you’re into the minimalist look.

Going for a more Zen-like vibe?

Display a row of tea lights or floating candles in water-filled vases.

Just keep in mind that scented candles may be problematic for some of your clients. Studies show that as many as one in every three people have a fragrance sensitivity — what you may deem a calming, lovely scent could be disturbing to others.

To be on the safe side, stick to unscented candles.

Don’t want to rely on candles to light up your space?

Wall sconces on dimmer switches are a great alternative and an excellent way to add ambient lighting to your space. Yes, they provide both style and functionality!

When using candles, safety should always be a top priority. If your massage room is on the small side, consider decorating with flameless candles instead of traditional wick candles.

With flameless candles, if you bump into one while your client is on the table, you won’t have to worry about burning the place down.

3. Wall Art

Wall décor is more than just a way to demonstrate your sense of style. A bold art print or a 3D piece of wall art is a great way to bring a soothing vibe to your massage room.

To make your massage room as calm as can be, opt for wall décor with a natural motif, such as lotus flowers, trees, and water.

If you rent your space and aren’t permitted to drill holes or nails in the wall, consider decorating with peelable wallpaper or a wall decal instead. Both are temporary options that you can put up with ease and take down when you leave.

Your landlord won’t even know.

4. Privacy Screen

Some massage therapists have the luxury of working in multi-room spas that include private changing rooms. Others do not.

If your massage therapy room is the only private space you have for your clients, create an area within it that affords them 100% privacy for changing.

Adding a three-panel privacy screen is an excellent way to make your clients feel more comfortable when changing out of their clothes in preparation for a spa treatment.

On the wall behind the screen, hang two hooks on the wall. Use one to hang a robe or towel that your clients can wrap up in. Leave the other one empty so that your clients have a place to hang their clothes.

5. Storage Tray

Some freelance masseuses work in full-service spas where clients have access to lockers to hold their valuables.

If you don’t provide lockers, add a storage tray in your treatment room. That way, your clients have a safe place to put their phones, wallet, keys, jewelry, and other valuable items.

A small storage dish or a shallow basket is all you need. Place it in an area of the room near your massage table. The location gives your clients the peace of mind that their items are within easy reach.

6. A Mirror

No matter how small or large your spa massage room may be, it’s always a good idea to hang a mirror on the wall. Mirrors create the illusion of a bigger space and can make a small room feel much larger than it is.

Besides the optical illusion that a mirror creates, it also gives your clients a way to check themselves over on their way out the door.

Lying face down on a massage table for an hour can mess up your makeup and muss up your hair.

While your clients may not care what they look like while they’re on your table, there’s a good chance they’ll want to give themselves a quick touch-up before they head out.

7. A Great Frame

When you think about massage room décor, a frame may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But if you’re licensed to own the massage business, you need one.

In most U.S. states, massage therapists must pass a state examination and become licensed before practicing. Some states also require that you display your massage therapy license so clients can see you’re legally permitted to operate your business.

You worked hard for that license! Displaying it in a great frame may not add to your soothing spa décor, but it will prove the legitimacy of your business.

8. Natural Accents

If you perform massages indoors, as most massage therapists do, bringing some natural elements into the space is a surefire way to help your clients feel calm and relaxed.

It is a scientific fact that spending time in nature helps to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and release muscle tension.

Massage therapy isn’t just about relieving physical pain and tension in the body. While many clients get massages primarily for physical reasons, others get massages as part of their self-care routine.

With natural spa décor that relieves tension and stress, you’ll be better able to provide your clients with both mental and physical wellness.

Many massage therapists decorate their spa rooms with a holistic vibe. Others opt for a Zen-like Asian aesthetic, while some prefer a more casual, rustic look.

No matter what aesthetic you prefer, there are all sorts of small decorative elements that you can use to help bring calming aspects of nature into your indoor space.

Rocks, stones, and crystals aren’t just natural — they’re also gorgeous!

Scatter a few small ones across a tabletop or cabinet or display a few large ones on a floating wall shelf. Just be careful not to display the massage stones you use for hot stone massages. You should always store those in a clean, sanitized, safe way.

Need to add some color to your space?

Decorating with fresh greenery and small, potted plants is a great way to bring some natural beauty indoors. Indoor plants are known to reduce stress levels and improve the quality of the air — two things that both you and your clients can benefit from.

Indoor water fountains, wood diffusers, and bamboo objects are also great ways to add a natural style to your massage therapy room.

9. A Cabinet for Towels and Massage Oils

You need an innovative, functional storage solution to hold your massage oils, towels, and other essentials in your treatment room.

Before you start shopping for decorative items, consider a cabinet. A stylish storage cabinet that coordinates with your design aesthetic and provides a place to house all your massage must-haves.

You can find storage cabinets in every brick-and-mortar home décor store and online furniture site. From vintage apothecary cabinets to open storage units with shelves, every massage therapist needs a cabinet of some sort.

Have a set-up that requires you to maximize a large amount of storage in a small space?

Instead of taking up space with a freestanding cabinet, consider mounting floating wall shelves or corner shelves to house rolled towels and bottles of oils.

Can’t find the perfect cabinet or shelving unit to meet your style or fit in your space?

There are tons of custom furniture designers on Etsy. They can create a one-of-a-kind storage cabinet or shelving system. The customization can meet your aesthetic and fits within the dimensions of your treatment room.

Bonus Tips for Decorating a Massage Office

Devise a “big picture” interior design concept before you go wild online ordering candles, cabinets, and art prints.

Here are three things to keep in mind to help you create a stunning massage therapy room that your clients will love:

Choose the Right Color Scheme

Your massage therapy room should make your clients feel calm and relaxed, so avoid painting and decorating with bright, vibrant colors.

Bright white walls can make your space look crisp and clean. The color can also give a room a more clinical feel. Opt for softer neutrals such as cream, beige, or brown. The colors prevent your massage room from looking like a doctor’s office.

If you want to paint your walls in a shade of blue or green, go for muted, lighter hues that feel natural and serene. Warm colors, such as deep red and rust, are also excellent choices!

Pick Furniture That Fits

To avoid your massage room looking cluttered and crowded, measure. Map out where you’re going to place your furniture before buying.

Whether you work in a small space, such as a mobile massage van, or perform massages in a large treatment room, be sure to buy furniture that fits.

If you overcrowd your space with too much furniture (or furniture that’s too large), it becomes challenging. The situation may make it difficult to move comfortably around your massage table when working on a client.

The furniture you buy should be functional. It should help you do your job better, not hinder your performance in any way.

Stick to One Design Aesthetic

From Asian-inspired Zen style to rustic, modern farmhouse to boho chic, all sorts of design aesthetics can work in a massage room.

Regardless of which one you choose, be consistent with that style in all elements of your furniture and décor.

Mixing and matching furniture and décor styles can make for an attractive, eclectic look at home. But in a massage room, it’s best to maintain a clear, focused vision that won’t clutter the space or the mind.

Conclusion

You can find massage office and spa room décor at any home décor store or website. Now that you know what you need, all that’s left to do is shop for items that fit within your budget.

No matter what you buy for your massage business or how much you spend on furniture and decorative accents, make sure to keep your receipts.

Every piece of furniture, towel, oil, and home décor you buy is a business expense that you can deduct from your annual earnings when you file your taxes!

As a freelance massage therapist, you may not have had access to traditional employee benefits —until now! Sign up for an Alliance of Gig Workers membership and enjoy a variety of benefits for less than $1/day.