Massage room too big???

[Jeff T]

Newbie here! I've been lurking for a few weeks now, and I really enjoy this forum. I actually found it by accident after 'googling' the words 'broke massage therapist'! And I'm sure you guys probably know where I'm coming from...Anyway, my question is this one: I am currently searching for my dream office space, and I think I may have found it! It is right across the street from my apartment complex, in the correct zoning, highly  visible, well lit and safe, has a front AND back door, and is affordable! My only problem is that the area I want to use as my treatment area is not closed off. Closing it off won't be a problem, as I could easily hang some nice curtains to section it off, but my concern is that the room may be so big, the client doesn't feel secure. I currently work at a 'day spa' *snort*, and my room there is the size of a walk-in closet (about 6x10), complete with lack of air vents *gasp*. I attribute this hot and cramped room with my lack of repeat clients, but wonder if there is such a thing as having a treatment room that is 'too large for comfort'?Anyone have any thoughts or experiences with this? I personally love the room, and I can't wait to be able to actually LUNGE again, instead of CROUCHING over my clients...

 

[Teresa]

I worked at a place that had two rooms. One was smaller, and one was large. A few clients told me they prefered the smaller room because it was cozier!  How big is your room? Much depends on how you can create the space to make clients feel safe, warm, comfort in removing clothing,etc. I had my first massage in a very large room. I was behind a tri-fold screen and the table was several feet away. {remember, first massage} I dashed to the table fearing the door would swing open before I got under the covers. LOL    Seems a long time ago, now, but I remember that feeling of the room being to "big" for my comfort level.

 

[Chipmaker]

*lol* I remember trying to massage a pro basketball player in my very cozy sized spa room. His feet hung over the table, and I had to umm...get around his head, too. Not a good time to try stretches, either. I think I'd love a big room! Screens could close off the area you chose for treatment, and that would be blissfully adjustable for those lanky clients. You could put in a little waiting area with comfy small couch and a little table with tea/refreshments...you may even have a corner to set up a massage chair, for massage on the run.  I'd place small islands of tall plants in the spots that look bare. You could even use those for dividers. It would be airy and cozy as well....Lucky you! Gi

 

[Nobody]

Massage room too big???

Good gosh, I can't even begin to think a room could be too big!  We have one that is roughly 12-16 foot by 12-16 foot (I can't recall the exact deminsions).I love a large room.  You have plenty of room around the table and you can add things to the room.  A folding screen is a wonderful addition and you can spend a lot or a little on this item, which can break up the room so that the person has a place to dress/undress behind. You can place a nice light back there which then will add to the ambiance of the room.    You can add a few (or many) plants (again silk or real and they can be expensive or cost effective) to give the room a wonderful "feel".You can add a cabinet large enough to hold a small TV/VCR combo which you can open up and use when practicing new techniques (via media) on friends.  If you get an "armoir" you can store sheets, books and even your stereo in there.You can build a small cabinet/box to cover a second table (if you have one) and place it on the side of the room to look like a chic piece of furniture -- and place some cards and a few "do-dads" there (think crystals/candles, etc.).You can consider learning something like Thai massage or barefoot massage and utilize the extra room for these floor techniques ... plenty of room to lay out the futon for those.  For this idea, just purchase a rug (you can get large ones that look nice for about $30 at a place like BigLots, and promote the "area" as your Thai-Barefoot area when clients ask.  You can actually make it look separate, yet a combined region of the room.My, how lucky you are. I say go for it, go for it!!

 

[Absolute Rotter]

Massage room too big???

As Gutehand suggests, you can always make a big room appear smaller, but you cannot make a small room bigger. Keep in mind the thoughts of lovingkindness and put clothes hooks/hangers/screen in an area that is not too far from your table, so the (naked) "mad dash" is not too long!You seem to have connected well with the space, which I consider very important. There are a million ways to make a large space cozy.My advice would be: don't let it go!Sally

 

[meenakshi s]

Don't forget you can offer "couple's massage" where they both receive their massge at the same time (if you have another therapist).  We get requests for it every so often, but our rooms are just too small to fit 2 tables comfortably.You can host seminars...have spa parties...women's club...install a pedicure station and have someone come in to do all natural pedicures...so many ideas, so little time!  I am excited for you!

 

[Tysine]

Hey, that all natural pedicure thing sounds nice.  Then two friends could come together and you know how "spa party" things go where people want to talk to each other while getting services.  It seems such a contradiction to getting a "relaxing" massage, but friends of each other like that sort of thing and have fun, so it would be another thing to promote!  How cool!  Great idea!  

 

[_Hill_]

Massage room too big???

With the size of the room you say it is, what about a small class for couples massage? We have that at the school I attended and does it fill up fast! Keep your class size small so everyone has some room to move around, asking they bring quilts or blankets and pillows to use for the class. Sounds like you found a great place to work!

 

[Joseph]

Isis,Is it not closed off to others in the building ...or just within your own private space?You could simply enlose the treatment area with panels or lofty billowing drapes.  It should be nice to have your working area separate from your desk area.How many square feet is it?Great luck to you,Robyn

 

[jhaltrman93]

When you say that it is not closed off, what do you mean exactly?  Not closed off to what?  If you need a wall put in somewhere so that it could be closed off you can ask them to do this.  By "they" I mean the landlord.  A lot of times they will make the space how you need it to be.  Especially if you sign the lease for a longer term than say a year or two.  It is very easy to put in a wall.  Of course there are other ways to do it as well.  I would say the one thing you want to make sure of is that you would be the only ones in the room at any given time.  By this I guess I mean that you want to have any clients that would be waiting for the next appointment waiting in a separate area.  If you hang a curtain but there is still the same "space" that a potential waiting client could be heard by the one relaxing on the table...it could potentially make them uncomfortable.  Just something to think about.  Sounds like a perfect location though!

 

[Hossam]

Maybe I can describe the space to you...When one stands just inside the door, looking to the immediate right is a small waiting area (with door), right beside that is a small space that could be an office to put a desk in, and directly in clear view from the front door is a large open space that will be my treatment area. In other words, you could walk through the entrance door and straight into the area. There is no door, but a space of about five feet wide.I voiced my concern to him, but he didn't seem to want to offer any suggestions, just a vague mention of the 'geisha houses' he had been to in the military, and the shoji screens they had there! Of course, I had to quickly correct him that I was no GEISHA, just in case he started to get any happy ideas  :The thing is, I won't even be ready to THINK about moving into this place until the first of the year, cause I don't have any start-up money  :'(  I'm trying not to get attached to the place, in case someone else snatches it up, but I'm just so darned excited!

 

[eric mayer]

I once received a massage from a practitioner who had a separate out building from her house - the room was probably about 500 sq. ft, and she had a section curtained off on 3 sides for her massage table.  Because she was still in the room and could hear me, I knew she wouldn't accidentally walk in on me before I could get on the table.  I thought it was a very nice space she had, sounds like you'll have one too!  And since it's not a business where you'll have all kinds of people hanging around outside the curtains, I don't think it sounds like a problem.  Good luck!

 

[Alexis]

Thanks for describing the space.In this case, you could do a few things. آ One is to ask the landlord if he will graduate the payments - if you are interested in moving in right away. آ You may be able to work out something where you pay a lesser rent for the first four months and then more after that, which would equal to what he was asking for in the first place.Second, I can't really picture your place exactly, but I read the description and I seem to be getting that one walks through an entrance, sees an open space for the massage area and two smaller doored off spaces for other use.If this is the case, you may not want to use the small room as a waiting area, but actually schedule clients 30 mins. apart. آ You may want to see if you can have a window pass-through cut into the wall and use that as your check out area. آ ie. - client walks into massage room, gets massage, you step into the small room (prior mentioned waiting room) which now has a window and counter, you make the money exchange from there when they come out into the front section of the space and then you escort them out. آ One small chair could be placed in the open area near the entrance for those who come in while you are changing sheets. آ This way your money exchanges are a definite exchange for services rendered and the client has no confusion on that part. آ Sometimes clients get a little confused when it is too cozy and want to "wait until payday... again / or have better things to do than pay you for the services that day". آ  Most of us have great clients and that is not the case at all, but if it is a concern to you, I just mention it as an aside. آ I am not trying to say that cozy is a bad thing -- just giving other considerations.The moeny exchange area could also hold a wall of supplies and things you'd be interested in selling (sombra, candles, hot/cold packs, music, etc.)As for the large massage space, then you could have a velvet curtain, like was mentioned a while back regarding sound concerns (in another post) with some hanging beads or a nice screen in between the entrance and the curtain (basically right in front of the curtain so the client walks right past the divider and pulls aside the curtain and goes into the massage room) -- something antique maybe (not a shogi - if you think your landlord may get bad ideas) in the five foot opening. آ You could use the other area for your office, folders and whatnot. آ Just a few thoughts.Another option is to ask your landlord if he is interested in adding a door to the five foot opening. آ It would just be a matter of adding some wall space and then the door frame and door.  If he is willing.آ :-/Hope it helps. آ 

 

[UCLAfan]

Hey Pete,I was thinking the same thing as you about the landlord moving that door.  For some reason I never got it into my post.I second Pete's comment!!  

 

[mark l]

Massage room too big???

So will all of this space be yours? Or are there other things going on in this space? Because if all the space is your you won't really have to worry about distracting noises. Sounds like it might be a nice space and you have gotten a lot of good pointers from people here.

 

[Marge]

I like the idea of talking to the landlord too about payments.  Think of it like this....right now he is getting nothing for the space.  Most of the time...especially if there are not many offers for people wanting the space...they are willing to take anything.  (ok, maybe not anything...but something at least)  Try to hook up a deal where he lets you have the first month rent free.  Then you could start to make money towards the next months rent.  Talk to friends & family.  See if someone would be willing to help you out.  Take out a small personal loan if needed.  If you REALLY think the space is perfect for what you need...do everything to make it work.  Fight like mad for it!