Why Your Space Design Is Costing You Money (And How to Fix It)
May 01, 2026Walk into most wellness centers and you'll see the same setup. Reception desk. Waiting area with chairs. Hallway leading to treatment rooms. Functional? Yes. Memorable? Rarely. A reflection of the unique care philosophy and brand identity you've worked years to build? Almost never.
In this episode from the Thriving Wellness Series, Kendall interviews Meg McPherson, who brings a rare dual perspective to wellness space design. As a trained physiotherapist with clinical experience and co-founder of Articulate Design Company (alongside partner Nina), Meg understands both what practitioners need operationally and what patients experience emotionally when moving through healthcare spaces.
The conversation centers on a crucial distinction: designing from intention versus imitation. As Meg describes the typical approach: "The clinic down the street is sort of set up this way. They have a front desk and some chairs and treatment rooms and we'll do the same thing." This default to copying what exists misses an enormous opportunity to create experiences that actually differentiate your practice and strengthen your brand.
Meg argues that intentional design isn't cosmetic luxury—it's strategic business investment: "When people start to realize that this is a tool in their toolbox, that the design of this space plays as much into the success of their business as any of these other factors... it feels exciting because it feels very much within our control."
For new wellness center owners, Meg's workshop at the retreat will cover practical foundations: how much square footage to seek, how business plans inform layout decisions, whether you need a staffed front desk, how to integrate technology, and how to avoid leasing too much or too little space. "Not all square footage is created equal," she notes, emphasizing that smart upfront planning prevents costly mistakes down the road.
For established clinic owners, the focus shifts to optimization and brand alignment. Many practices have grown organically—adding rooms here, reconfiguring there—while their brand evolved significantly over time. The result? Physical spaces that no longer match their digital brand presence or their current care philosophy. Meg's approach involves auditing everything: "How is the square footage utilized currently? Where are there gaps in functionality? What rooms or areas are underutilized? Where are the bottlenecks?"
One of the most powerful points Meg makes addresses the common objection that design help is an unnecessary expense: "The return on investment is so large and so quick... When you optimize a space and when you create a unique brand experience, both of those things have such large stakes in the success of your business. I can't emphasize that enough."
Kendall shares a perfect illustration: her insistence on designing the bathroom with the same care as treatment rooms. "In the last 10 years, the amount of clients and patients who have commented on our bathroom about how they can just go in... and they'll come out and say, wow, that was so relaxing in there." This attention to every touchpoint creates cohesive brand experience that patients remember and staff appreciate.
Meg also addresses why wellness spaces historically lag behind hospitality industries: "Our industry historically and even currently has a pretty low bar for design. And so I just implore people to put a bit of thought, put a bit of effort." She encourages borrowing inspiration from coffee shops, hotels, and other spaces people love—translating those design principles into clinical settings.
The environmental dimension matters too. As Meg explains her passion for this work: "I understand the value and the importance that our environment plays in our whole experience... I firmly believe that we take in so much more when the environment around us facilitates that."
At the 2026 Wellness Center Creators Retreat, Meg will guide both tracks through space design considerations—from technology integration to multifunctional spaces to bringing brand identity into physical form. If you've treated design as an afterthought or questioned whether it's worth the investment, this episode reveals why intentional space design is actually one of the highest-ROI decisions you can make.
For information regarding the upcoming retreat, go to: https://www.wellnesscentercreators.com/retreats
Sponsored by Jane App, Jane offers online booking, charting, scheduling, secure video and invoicing on one secure, beautifully designed system: https://jane.app/ Use code wellness1mo for a one-month grace period on your new Jane account.
About Anna Rudel
Anna Rudel, L. Ac is the owner and founder of Lokahi Acupuncture Clinic in San Jose California, founded in 2003. Anna is a master organizer and clinician, and as a Coach she specializes in working with Clinic Owners in the state of California, and Acupuncturists and Acupuncture Clinic Owners, or groups wanting to add Acupuncture worldwide, as well as teams that need support with employee retention and satisfaction. Born in the UK, Anna has traveled extensively in Asia and now has a thriving multi-practitioner clinic in the US!
Anna's Website and Links
- Website: https://lokahiacupuncture.com/
- Learn Group Coaching: https://www.wellnesscentercreators.com/group-coaching
- For info about Individual Coaching: https://www.wellnesscentercreators.com/individual-coaching
About Kendall Hagensen
Kendall is a Somatic Mental Health Therapist, Multidisciplinary Clinic Owner and Business Coach. She specializes in, and is passionate about, working with healthcare professionals to create the businesses of their dreams. Big goals always have a psychological component beneath the surface, so Kendall uses her background in Somatic Psychotherapy and EMDR Therapy mixed with Business Coaching tools to help clients develop a healthy relationship with their business and their strength as a leader.
As someone who lives with a chronic illness herself, Kendall feels that health happens best within community, which is why she takes a holistic, integrative, and collaborative wellness approach to her personal and professional life.
Kendall’s Web/Social Links