How to Build a Therapy Room on a Budget

BUILD A THERAPY ROOM ON A BUDGET

Building a therapy room on a budget, can be done and doesn’t have to be expensive. With a few simple and affordable items, you can create a space that is both comfortable and functional. 

This blog will guide you through how to design and decorate your own therapy room on a budget, from choosing the right furniture to setting the right ambiance. Whether you’re a therapist starting out or just looking to upgrade your current space, this blog post has got you covered.

LOCATION OF YOUR THERAPY SPACE

First, you’ll need a quiet, private space where you can meet with clients. This could be a rented office space, or an extra room in your house. If you’re building a therapy room within your home, it is optimal to have a separate entrance for clients to access the therapy space. Consider converting a garage or other space into a playroom/therapy room. In this post, we’ll explore some budget-friendly options for creating a therapy room on a budget. This particular project was a garage conversion, the room is approximately 10×18 feet in size, for perspective. Alright, let’s dive into the journey of creating this space. 

STORAGE, TABLE AND CHAIRS

Now that you have your space, let’s get organized. Next you will need to source items to store your therapy materials and a place to work. 

1. Storage shelf – Ikea cube storage ($169) and bins ($72)  for around $240 – The most expensive item in the room. I had initially started with a 2×4 shelf that I repurposed in this room until I was ready to upgrade. Shelves with bins are essential, especially if you are dealing with young children, the bins keep items out of sight when not in use.
2. Desk and Chairs – Here I repurposed an old Ikea desk and kitchen chairs ($0). 
3. Office Chair – there was a company liquidating assets in our area and I scored this office chair for $10.  
4. Ikea file folder drawer – this was purchased second hand for $15 to organize craft materials and easy to grab materials and handouts.

Total investment – $265

POTENTIAL ITEMS FOR YOUR THERAPY ROOM ON A BUDGET

• Yoga swing – can be a great way to incorporate movement and sensory input into your therapy sessions, and at only $75, it’s a budget-friendly option.
• Home built platform swing was a fun project, you can check out the step by step tutorial in this  blog post, for approximately $175. This is a really fun and unique addition to the space. 
• Daisy chains – for hanging the swing (these came with the aerial yoga swing, but can also purchased separately). 
• Carabiners with lock to hang the swing (these came with the aerial yoga swing, but can also be purchased separately. 
• Adjustable height table – $70, from Costco is a versatile piece of furniture that can be easily tucked away when not in use and adjusts to the size of your client.
• Whiteboard – $15 from an online marketplace.
• 4 foot Memory foam crash pad – this item followed me around for years, I knew one day I would have the perfect space for it. 
• Hop it ball -this is a huge hit and favorite amongst kids, they love to hop on the ball and crash into he memory foam pad. -$20
• Yoga mat – lole from costco $24
• Meditation cushions – are great for additional seating. At $75, they are on the pricey side, but a much welcome addition that I added to the room at a later date, especially during pregnancy when it was difficult to work with kids while sitting on the floor.
• Laminator and laminating sheets for around $50 can also be a great way to make visual aids more durable and long-lasting.

Total investment – approximately $500

DECORATIONS TO CREATE THE AMBIANCE IN YOUR THERAPY ROOM ON A BUDGET

Here are a few final touches on the room to add some warmth to the space:

1. Shape decals – Target – $2
2. Spider plant
3. Amethyst geode – $20
4. Coat hanger – and item that was repurposed from within our home. 
5. Line for displaying client creations. – $17

Total Investment – $54

These are just a few examples to get you started. I’m confident that you have plenty more ideas to add to the list!

LET’S REVIEW THE KEY TAKEAWAYS!

Creating a therapy room on a budget can be fun, and doesn’t need to be put together all it once, you can get started with enough items for under $500 and add in some of these additional items later. 

With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can transform any room into a therapy room that meets the needs of both you and your clients. So get creative, start planning, and watch your therapy room come to life! Remember, it’s not about how much money you spend, but how you use the space and the tools you have to help your clients achieve their goals.

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Thanks for reading through. Happy Creating!