How to Decorate Your Salon

The beauty industry, as expected, is mostly about appearances. So, if you genuinely want to be ahead of the game, your salon’s décor needs to be a reflection of your brand. Meaning that how you decorate the space (and theme it) should encompass what you are all about! 

Read our salon revamping ideas, do’s, don’ts, and tips to make sure your salon exceeds your client’s expectations. 

Before Getting Started

It is imperative that before you start brainstorming ideas, you have a well-defined budget. There is no point in entertaining complicated or thorough plans if you are not in the capacity to pay for it later. Hence, talk to your partner, accountant, or whoever is in charge of finances and come up with a realistic budget. 

Decorating or renovating a beauty salon can be expensive. On average, revamping or decorating a beauty salon costs between $10,000-$70,000 depending on your vision. Remember, you need to factor in a long list of elements, including design, supplies, ornaments, furniture, labor costs, permits, and more. 

Once you have settled on a number, think about comfort! Salons need to be aesthetically pleasing, yes, but they also need to be functional. In other words, you can purchase the most beautiful chairs, and the cutest lamps to adorn your salon. But, if the chairs are uncomfortable and the lamps do not provide good lighting, clients (and staff) will probably complain or stop coming. 

Lastly, consider your clientele. Every single aspect of your salon — from mirrors and fixtures to the color of the walls and the signage on your door, will speak to a particular type of customer. Therefore, try to come up with an image of who your ‘ideal customer’ looks like and theme your salon accordingly. To help you paint a clearer picture of your Buyer Persona, begin by answering a few questions:

1. Is your preferred audience young? Or does their age varies considerably depending on the service?
2. Are they looking to relax and unwind in a tranquil environment? Or do they instead enjoy getting their nails/hair done at a vibrant salon that plays their favorite tunes?
3. Will clients spend a lot of time within your salon? Or will you offer a ‘stop-and-go’ type of ambient?

Of course, these questions are just a guide to get you started. Based on my experience, it is always better if you have an in-depth image of what are the needs and wants of your ideal customer.

Do’s & Don’ts

There are plenty of things to consider when decorating your salon. As a result, many things can go wrong! So, I have come up with a list of Dos and Don’ts for you to consider.

Do…

• Be creative: Salons, like their owners, tend to have a unique personality. Therefore, let your imagination run wild. Do not be afraid of mixing shapes, patterns, and colors! Having a salon that does not look cookie-cut will allow you to stand out from the competition.

• Your research: Whether you like it or not, you will need to scout the competition. Sometimes, you come up with great ideas only to find out that someone else is already doing it. Thus, you would not want people to think you are a second-rate version of another brand. Besides, it is always smart to see what other similar businesses are doing. By doing so, you will have a sense of what works (or doesn’t work) without having to learn it the hard way.

• Consider all spaces: A common mistake is to spend most, if not all, of the remodeling budget on the main areas without considering other small (but equally important) spaces. In other words, you can have a perfect waiting room and beautifully organized working stations. But, if your bathroom’s wallpaper is coming off or there is a leaking toilet, clients will get thrown off. Additionally, keep in mind your outdoor spaces. Invest in a professional-looking sign and continually change your window displays to make sure they stay relevant to trends, seasons, etc.

• Pick a theme: Themes are a great way of giving you salon a definite personality. Also, they help you to see the space as a whole, making sure everything is in sync. However, consider the services you offer and your clientele before setting your heart on a specific theme.

Remember, the colors, furniture, and accessories you choose need to be consistent with the message you want to convey and the audience you wish to attract. For example, if you want your salon to cater to a young urban crowd, you might want to stay away from pastels and fluffy pillows. Furthermore, if you want your salon to have a spa-like atmosphere, you may want to invest in dimmers for your lights or massage chairs. 

Don’t…

• Get carried away: Even though I mentioned you should let your imagination run wild, this does not mean that you can get carried away. I cannot stress this enough: salons need to be functional! Hence, the décor cannot get in the way of your service offering.

• Overcrowd the space: It may sound cliché, but less is always more! Having a cluttered salon or unorganized work stations can give your clients a wrong impression. Hence, if your services require you to use a ton of different products and tools (e.g., nail polish, shampoo, brushes), spend some money on storage and containers. Try always to keep things neatly organized to avoid looking unprofessional. Also, beware of 5-year-old magazines in the waiting area or dying plants. Details are what make or break your business.

• Be too literal: Avoid being too obvious or too literal. For instance, having a ’70s themed salon might seem like a great idea — and maybe it is! But this does not mean that you are going to avoid installing air-conditioning or having furniture that has been in your family for, literally, over three decades. So, try to make sure your salon looks the part without having to compromise comfort or functionality.

There you have it! A list of Dos and Don’ts to keep in mind. And even if not all of them apply to you, consider them when drafting your designs or purchasing supplies. 

Themed Decoration Ideas

As I said before, having a themed salon is an excellent way of crafting a brand. There are millions of fresh and fun themes you can choose from; just need to dig dip and brainstorm ideas! Below a few topics to get your wheels spinning:

• International Voyage: Think about theming your salon based on a foreign country or city. It is very common, for example, to have an Asian or Oriental feel. However, this does not mean it should be the norm; you can also have a Paris-themed salon or even a New York-style beauty parlor.

• Girlie Girl: When it comes to beauty salons, roughly 90% of the clientele are female. Thus, decorating your business for women to feel comfortable and ‘at home’ is a great way to go! Consider soft colors, having fresh flowers, offering fashion magazines for clients to look over while they wait, etc.

• Upmarket Chic: If you want your salon to be super trendy, having an ‘upmarket chic’ vibe is the way to go. Hence, look for bold furniture, add vibrant colors to the walls, include sleek product displays, and give it a minimalist look.

• Boho-style: Another interesting idea is having a ‘hippie’ or earthy look. Not only will it allow your customers to relax, but it will also give your salon a spa-like environment. Use greens and beige colors and include plants to fill up space. Also, think about adding soft background music or having a tea station for clients to unwind.

These are just a few ideas! Remember, you can be as creative as you like. Your salon is not only a reflection of your brand — it is also a way of conveying a message and letting the world know what you are all about. 

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Related Questions 

How much does it cost to renovate a salon?

On average, remodeling a hair or beauty salon costs between $3,500 – $15,000. But, this amount can vary significantly based on a series of factors, including the scope of work, contractor/specialist fees, permits & legal fees, and equipment. 

How can I attract new clients to my salon?

Marketing plays a vital role when developing a solid client base, especially in the beauty salon industry, where competition is fierce! However, there are many other ways in which you can practice the art of attraction. Below a few simple tips that will go a long way:

1. Have an online presence: Whether it is merely on social media or a website, people need to be able to find you online.
2. Make it easy for clients to book appointments: Booking appointments and confirming assistance can be overwhelming. The key is to plan accordingly and develop a system (preferably online) that allows clients to book appointments while also keeping you organized.
3. Reward customers who give referrals: One of the most effective (and cheapest) ways of advertising your salon is by word of mouth. Rewarding references are the perfect incentive for an existing customer to recommend you to their friends and relatives. Also, consider having a loyalty program or monthly discounts for recurring customers.

Looking to start your own Salon? Get the documents you need to get organized and funded here.

Please note: This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a legal expert to address your specific needs.