Katie Taylor, CCLS, Child Life on Call

There’s something about the color of doctor office and hospital walls that just makes you feel like you’re in a foreign place. Several years ago, I remember walking past a painter putting a beige paste along the walls of our hospital… The hallway seemed never-ending in my mind. For fun, and admittedly out of pure interest, I asked him, “Out of curiosity, what is the name of the color that you’re painting on the walls?” The painter replied, “mushroom cap.” Ahh. Yes. That explains a lot.

The reason I’m telling you this story is that I don’t think you should let your mushroom cap, beige, grey-ige, or stark white walls stay that way. And  you don’t have to. You can spruce up your walls with gender- and age-neutral  fun characters and decals from SmileMakers. When you’re unable to convince your hospital admin team to agree on a new remodel of your hospital (I wish!), wall murals and decals are easy, affordable and will quickly change the vibe of your office space, hallway, waiting room or treatment room. (And they’re not permanent so no need to get admin team approval, right?!)

Wouldn’t adding these cuties to the walls add some smiles to those hallways?

Pictures of familiar items and colors around the room offer patients and their families an alternative focus from what’s happening around them, assurance that they are in a pediatric facility, and proof that staff took the time to try to make the space feel warm and friendly. And best of all, they’re affordable even for our tight budgets!

You could also add your logo to the wall mural options!

What are you waiting for? Brighten those walls, and your kiddos moods – now!