Designing a functional and attractive salon or spa that represents the brand and vision is for some, the most exciting part of opening a business. For others, not knowing where to start can turn the whole experience into a nightmare.
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Avoiding a brand gap
Your salon’s interior design or decor should reflect your business’ personality. It should incorporate your branding and massively consider your target market. Start by thinking about whom you’re trying to attract to the salon and what atmosphere you wish to create for it.
- Would your scheme appeal to your ideal client?
- Will your salon be an oasis of calm in a busy city?
- Would you rather it be a cool, contemporary salon with designer furnishings for the 40+ professionals?
- Will it be an Asian-inspired retreat with saris and bamboo for stressed-out city dwellers?
- Or maybe, will it be the cosy home-from-home with soft furnishings and the smell of hot, fresh coffee?
There’s nothing wrong with loving the idea of owning a lime green salon playing the latest R&B playlist or a 1950’s inspired American parlour with a jukebox. However, it’s crucial to understand that either choice could potentially discourage the very people you’re trying to appeal to. When designing a salon, you need to think long and hard about your dream client and the type of salon they would want to visit.
For more lighting tips that can help bring cohesion to your decor, click here.
How to go about it: design vs budget restrictions
Gather inspiration from Instagram, Pinterest, Google, trade magazines, spas, restaurants, hotels and follow interior designers and bloggers on social media. There’s inspiration everywhere! You just have to look.
How you go about tackling the design and shop-fit all depends on your budget. You’ll need to know exactly how much you have available – plus a contingency fund for unexpected jobs – and you’ll need to factor that in when working out your start-up costs. Whether you need the services of plumbers, builders, decorators, electricians, shop-fitters or designers, be precise on the work you want them to do and always get full written quotes, not ‘estimates.’ You don’t want any nasty surprises!
Salon design companies
If your budget allows for a bespoke service, contact a design company that specialises in fitting salons. They can work with you to optimise the space you have and will have access to specialist products and salon furniture. Search for companies online, check out their work and get a fixed price for the job, making sure they itemise everything they’re going to do for you.
Salon furniture companies
If your budget doesn’t stretch that far, look at your local hair, nail or beauty suppliers. They often have contacts for salon furniture companies that offer a design service.
Interior designers
If the layout is fine and no major work needs to be done, an interior designer might be the answer to all your problems. They have a wealth of knowledge that will help to bring your ideas to life.
Tell them your vision (if you have one) or tell them what the space will be used for and let them do their thing. Many will put together a moodboard and digital drawings so you can see how your new salon will look. If you’re on a tight budget though, look at other salons online for ideas and consider recreating the look yourself with the help of a joiner and a decorator, which would be the least expensive option.
Organising/optimising your space
When planning your layout, try to use every inch efficiently. Be creative and utilise the space according to the treatments you’ll be offering, making sure you leave enough room to work comfortably. Floor plan templates are available to download online, so if you’re on a tight budget and doing this on your own, measure up the salon and produce some scale plans. There’s a lot of information on the internet to help you do this.
Start by going through all the treatments you’ll be offering and make a list of all the furniture and equipment you’ll need to perform each of these services. Take into consideration both your clients’ and your own levels of comfort, as well as style, ease of cleaning and for those with limited space, multi-functional storage facilities.
Click here for 7 decor tricks to make your reception area feel spacious.
Final thoughts
Your brand identity should always be at the forefront of your planning when designing a salon. This is your dream. Only you know the vibe you want to create or how it looks in your mind. Get those ideas out of your head and onto paper or get experts in to help you discover what it is you want to create. Just always keep in mind your dream client when making important decisions. If you can get insight on what they would love, then you’re halfway there!
Before you go, download Julie Lee’s Free “Designing A Salon Checklist”! Simply enter your details below and receive the PDF by email:
For more great tips, check out our full resource on how to set up, run and grow a successful salon business.
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Thanks for reading! #LetsGrow
