Decorating
a veterinarian’s office can be a challenging task, but with a few creative
ideas, this unique project can be a fun experience that your employees and
patients can enjoy for years.
No doubt
the flooring choice for a veterinary clinic needs to be easy to clean, durable
(to handle heavy traffic of two and four legged visitors) and of course, stain
resistant. These days, whatever type of
flooring you choose, be it tiles, laminate or carpet, you will be able to pick
up a highly stain resistant product very easily. Don’t dismiss the idea of
carpet of for such an office, modern stain resistant carpets are easy to clean,
don’t absorb spills and are very hard wearing.
Wall
decals are a fun way to advertise your business, direct patients to certain
areas, and some textured floor decals can prevent slips and falls. Decals in bright colours and fun shapes (such
as a large paw print) are sure to draw the attention of everyone that walks
through the door. Fun artwork, in addition
to educational charts on the walls will keep people moving around, and reading
about important aspects of their pets overall health.
Also,
thank you notes and letters from previous clients should be prominently
displayed, to show new customers that you are compassionate, educated, will
instill confidence, and that you will be a significant part in keeping their
entire animal family happy and healthy.
Certain
colour invokes different emotions, and you want to have your patients feeling
calm and confident in your abilities to provide the best care for their furry
friends. Pale greens, blues or purples
have been said to have a calming effect.
These light shades of colours naturally suppress the nervous system, and
this is beneficial for those who need to be in your waiting room. A slightly darker shade in the entire color
scheme is acceptable, to accent the borders around the room.
Also,
encourage employees to wear fun, animal print medical scrubs, as they offer a
sense of friendliness, as well as professionalism.
Something
unique to a veterinary clinic/office, and an important consideration, is a good
ventilation system. For one reason or
another, the variety of animals can cause an overwhelming odour in the office. In addition, all the unfamiliar smells from
different animals can make other animals anxious. To eliminate these problems, it is advised to
use air filters, fans and air fresheners that will neutralize overwhelming
odours, and make the air quality cleaner and more breathable.
Furniture
type is also a major consideration for the décor of a veterinarian’s
office. Upholstery is probably not the
best choice for a veterinary clinic, since a majority of the patients have
claws, and may be prone to “accidents”.
Outdoor-type benches may be a better choice, as they are stable/sturdy,
and easy to clean.
Reading
material in the waiting room should be focused on pet care, and also some
animal picture books for young children helps to keep nervous and active minds
preoccupied.
Remember,
the small touches that you add to an office environment can make big
impressions. Some suggestions may
include an animal themed lamp shade; an accessible water cooler for humans, and
where owners may fill water bowls for their thirsty pets. Keeping a few healthy treats for your four
legged patients is also a nice, friendly addition to your entire office.
