Spotlight on City, Town, and Backyard Themed Decor

It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood… Office!

At IDS, we’re known for our immersive nature and animal-themed spaces, but what about bringing the charm of a city street, a cozy neighborhood, or even a backyard oasis into your office? City and backyard-themed decor is a fun and welcoming way to transform dental offices, hospitals, daycares, and libraries into places that feel familiar, exciting, and comforting for children and families.

Imagine walking into an office that feels like a lively town square, a peaceful backyard, or a bustling cityscape—these themes make your space memorable, inviting, and fun. Here’s how you can bring urban and backyard inspiration into your office decor with IDS’s custom products.

Reception Desks That Welcome Your Clients to the Neighborhood

First impressions matter, and your reception area sets the tone for the entire visit. A city-themed reception desk can resemble a friendly coffee shop counter, a retro diner, or even a classic newsstand. Want something more suburban? A picnic-style check-in desk can make guests feel like they’re stepping into a backyard BBQ.

For added charm, consider:

A mural backdrop featuring a lively city street or a cozy small-town main square
Overhead signage that mimics street signs with directional cues
Planters with shrubs or flowers for a community park vibe

A reception desk framed by streetlamps. A whimsical mural featuring a Sailor Moon-style city and evil mecha candy monsters.

Murals Featuring Cityscapes, Tiny Towns, and Cozy Backyards

The right wall decor can make all the difference in bringing a city or backyard theme together. Consider these ideas:

City Skylines & Busy Streets – Bring the excitement of a big city to life with murals of famous skylines or bustling neighborhoods.
Tiny Town Main Street – A charming small-town mural featuring a bakery, post office, and smiling locals.
Travel the World – Feature famous cities like London, Paris, or futuristic cityscapes straight out of a sci-fi movie!
Backyard-themed elements – IDS can add sculpted birdhouses, garden tools, or lanterns to enhance the outdoor vibe. A playful backyard mural featuring children playing, a treehouse, and a garden adds a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
I Spy murals with cityscapes and town settings – Fun, interactive murals where kids can search for hidden objects make waiting areas engaging and educational.
Murals featuring real or imagined cities – IDS can create murals showcasing your hometown, famous cities like London and Paris, or even futuristic cityscapes inspired by imagination.
Match furniture to your murals – A mural of a city street paired with IDS’s custom benches and lamppost-inspired lighting completes the look.

Nothing transforms a space like murals and wall art. Whether you want the energy of a downtown district or the calm of a backyard garden, IDS wall murals bring these themes to life.

Some mural ideas include:

A colorful streetscape featuring shops like an ice cream parlor and a dental office.

A star-studded Hollywood scene where kids can imagine themselves as movie stars or musicians.

A fun, travel-themed mural with a bus, train, and airplane, making hallways feel like a journey.

A cheerful backyard scene with children playing sports, exploring nature, and having fun.

From dental offices to classrooms, murals like these do more than decorate, they transform environments into places where kids can feel excited, inspired, and comfortable. A well-designed space isn’t just about looks; it’s about creating positive experiences!

Seating That Adds Style to Your Waiting Room

Waiting rooms should feel inviting, and your seating choices can reinforce your theme.

For a city-inspired look: Use modern, industrial-style chairs with metal accents.
For a town square theme: Try wooden benches that mimic a park setting.
For a backyard vibe: Adirondack chairs or picnic-style seating create a relaxed, casual feel.

**City Bus Stop Seating** – Turn waiting into a fun experience with bus stop-themed benches and “departure boards” listing appointment times.

Friendly Sculpted Characters and Photo Ops Featuring Familiar Sights

Photo ops encourage engagement and make visits more memorable. IDS designs interactive themed elements such as:

Backyard playhouse or treehouse photo spots – A cozy, nostalgic setting for pictures.
A neighborhood ice cream stand backdrop – Kids can pose as the shopkeeper or customer.
City buses, taxis, or storefront cutouts – Fun, recognizable features from an urban setting. One of our murals features a playful transportation theme, with kids waving from a bus and a train, adding a dynamic, interactive element to the hallway.
Photo ops with city characters – Imagine posing next to a friendly firefighter, a police dog, or a city park mascot, adding charm and excitement to the space.

These moments not only entertain families but also encourage them to share their experience on social media—spreading the word about your unique office design.

Games and Activities in the City & Suburbs

A great theme isn’t just about looks—it’s about fun, too! Add hands-on elements like:

A “city street” hopscotch or road map rug – Encourages movement and play.
Backyard beanbag toss – Engaging activities that fit the theme.
Video game walls with interactive elements – Tablets mounted onto themed sculpted buildings offer digital fun with an immersive twist.
Interactive wall panels designed like store windows or traffic signals – Fun and educational, designed specifically for your space.
Forts, climbing structures, and slides – A treehouse or city playground-inspired climbing area with slides and tunnels.

I Spy murals with cityscapes and town settings – Fun, interactive murals where kids can search for hidden objects make waiting areas engaging and educational.

With these interactive spaces, your business becomes more than just a place for appointments—it’s an adventure!

Theaters and Movie Rooms for an Immersive Experience

For a truly unique experience, consider adding a theater or movie-themed room to your space. IDS can create:

Miniature Neighborhood Cinemas – A cozy, themed theater space where kids can enjoy short films or educational videos.
Drive-in Theater Murals and Seating – Bring the nostalgia of a drive-in movie experience to your office with murals featuring classic cars and a big screen.
Interactive Movie-themed Decor – Sculpted popcorn stands, film reels, and director’s chairs to complete the theme.

Kid's movie theatre area with photo-op hippo and zebra characters — Kid’s movie theater area with photo-op hippo and zebra characters

Cinematic themed waiting area with custom popcorn mascot photo-op character and bench seat.

Dental Brushing Stations and Brushing Mirrors with a Neighborhood Twist

Make brushing fun with themed mirrors that match the city and backyard concept:

Firefighter Mirror – A smiling firefighter holding a giant toothbrush, reminding kids to clean their teeth like heroes.
City Critter Mirror – A raccoon, squirrel, or pigeon-themed mirror for a touch of urban wildlife humor.
Barbershop-Themed Mirror – A vintage barbershop frame with a funny mustache cutout, making brushing a laugh-out-loud moment.

Dr. Cao featured a number of cows around her New Orleans themed dental office.

Brushing stations encourage healthy habits while keeping kids entertained.

Prize Areas with an Urban Twist

Rewarding patients for a successful appointment is a highlight of the visit.

Prize Tower in a Plant Pot – add a charming design like a prize tower blooming out of a giant plant pot, blending playfulness and function.
Prize Cupboards and Towers – Customize your own prize cabinet or display to suit your decor.

Signs and Wayfinding That Fit the Theme

Help guests navigate your office with themed signs that feel like they belong in a real city or town:

Street Sign Directions – Use custom-made street signs to label rooms (e.g., “X-Ray Ave” or “Flossing Lane”).
Storefront-Style Signs – Label different areas as “Bakery,” “Toy Shop,” or “Park” to make navigation more fun.
Bus Stop Signs – Directional signs shaped like bus stops for an extra playful touch.
City Workers – City characters, like constructions workers or firefighters, interacting with or holding a sign.

Good signage adds to the theme while keeping your space functional and easy to navigate.

Landmark Characters That Make Your Office a Destination

Make your business a local landmark with larger-than-life characters that set your building apart.

Giant Rooftop Firetruck – A sculpted firetruck with a friendly firefighter waving to passing cars.
Hot Air Balloon – A hot air balloon taking flight from your roof.
Bust Outs – A train, car, or bus being driven by a character busting through the wall of your building.

Large, exterior sculpture of giraffe and hippo driving a jeep out of the side of a building.

Landmarks make your business recognizable and give families an unforgettable first impression.

Bring Your Neighborhood to Life with IDS

City, town, and backyard decor creates an inviting, familiar atmosphere that can transform any space into a welcoming community hub. Whether you want to energize your space with a city skyline or bring the warmth of a backyard gathering into your office, IDS is here to bring your vision to life.

Want to explore how this theme could work in your space? Let’s build your dream neighborhood today!