Salon Interiors: Dare to be Different

The hair business is all about image, and the image your salon projects will not only determine who your customers are, but the amount of money you can charge for your services. People are likely to judge your salon based on how it looks and if you create an appealing environment for your clients and employees, you will have greater success than if you ignore or neglect these elements. The more your customers enjoy coming to a particular salon, the more business they are likely to bring you through repeat visits and guaranteed referrals. Aside from the quality of services, a well-coordinated appealing interior will enhance a customer’s salon experience. Read on to discover how you can play your part to make this happen. Who does your salon cater for? First of all, determine who the salon is going to cater for; Is your salon unisex, strictly for ladies, or do you cater for men as well? And do you offer massages, manicures or facials? Knowing who you will be serving and what facilities you will offer will enable you to keep your design decisions consistent and functional. Once this is established you will be able to decide on how many stations you will need in the salon and how much floor space to allocate to each. Salons should consist of the following sections; the reception and retail area, Shampoo and drying area, Cutting and service area, Storage section, break room, and the employee/client restroom. Colour Palette Choose a colour scheme that suits your target market. If it is a women’s salon, choose a vibrant, feminine color palette. For men’s or unisex salons, consider a more neutral but attractive colour scheme. Colours affect people’s moods and attitudes so consider how you want your clients to feel when they are in your salon. Energizing-warm tones will give your salon as friendly feel. Don’t be afraid to experiment with materials such as glass, metal, or stone to create a calming or energetic environment. You can jazz up the colour scheme by painting one wall in a colour different from the others or providing splashes of louder colours through accessorizing. For example, place brightly coloured cushions onto the chairs or couch in the reception area or hang colorful prints or art pieces on the walls. Lighting Having quality lighting is vital for a salon and the way you choose to light your facility can lead to a calm or vibrant atmosphere. Again, consider the image you are trying to project to your clients. For salons, high light settings that create a vibrant atmosphere are more appropriate than low light settings. Natural daylight and lighting fixtures such as chandeliers, or spotlights work together in allowing light to sweep through all corners of the salon, including deep spaces. Good lighting systems directly above each station will provide staff with maximum lighting as they work with clients. Letting in as much natural light as possible will also help the salon’s atmosphere feel more inviting and warm. Accessories Metal and wood are elements are good for creating a contemporary and clean look. To maintain a consistent and professional look, use the same colour scheme and theme throughout different rooms or sections in the salon.Each station also needs a mirror; a tall mirror that reaches almost to the ceiling will create the illusion of more space; this will come in handy especially if you have a small space to work with. Furniture Salons can be made to look beautiful and stylish with furniture items which are available in different styles, patterns, sizes and colours. Many salons place a small middle table in the waiting area for displaying magazines. Rather, a low glass or wooden centre table- whether rectangle, square or round will fill the space better. Ensure that your choice allows enough room for maneuvering. Finish off this waiting area with a textured rug placed under the table. Eliminating clutter and promoting a fresh and airy atmosphere is also important. Use wooden cabinets to store towels, hair products and tools so that they are out of the way. Organise and display retail hair products on shelves positioned next to the reception desk. Supplies that stylists use regularly while working at their stations should be kept inside the station’s drawers. It is important on your part to make the salon functional and enjoyable at the same time. Don’t leave room for people to form negative impressions about your salon, and dare to be different because that is what will draw customers in! The author specialises in interiors and fashion. ms.efuahagan@gmail.com