Top tips for designing your salon interior

Your business interior provides a first and lasting impression for your clients. Décor can massively influence how a client – or potential client – perceives the quality of your treatments, customer service, professionalism and knowledge. It is important to reflect your business personality within its interior, as this way, clients will be able to get a taste of what you’re all about from a first look. As well as this, it’s important to create an interior that maximises and fits the physical potential of the space.

If you’re opening your first salon or refurbishing for a completely new look, you might be full of ideas that you want to implement. “While it may be tempting to fill your salon with as many service stations and treatment areas as possible in order to make the most of your space, don’t go overboard,” says Jo Martin, marketing director at Sally Europe. “After all, clutter is the enemy of clarity. Be sure everything is welcoming, clean and tidy – so when clients walk into the salon and start soaking up the atmosphere, they’re immediately at ease and ready to unwind. One of the main things to factor in when considering your salon’s design is the type of customer you’re looking to attract and what layout and style will appeal to them.”

“There is no rule book to follow so don’t be afraid to inject some of your own quirkiness,” – Ruth Atkins, Salon System expert.

While aiming to appeal to your targeted clientele, it is also important to remember to inject some of your own personality into the salon interior. “Someone’s style is as individual as their personality, so a salon’s décor should mirror this,” says Ruth Atkins, Salon System expert. “There is no rule book to follow so don’t be afraid to inject some of your own quirkiness. If you’re not carrying out the work yourself, work closely with your project manager, architect or interior designer so your ‘message’ doesn’t get lost. Different rooms can have different themes and feelings, clashing or coordinating styles, lighting and even temperatures.”

Although ensuring clients feel comfortable in the salon space is crucial, your comfort and happiness with your own salon is paramount – you are the one that will be spending the most time there, after all. “Walking into a salon, for me, should feel like a home from home,” says Liz Richards, European head of education for Cuccio. “I want my clients to feel warm, relaxed and that they have walked into a friendly and confidential environment. You could go to different salons in your area and see what they have done with their interior: this way you can get a feel for what works and what doesn’t. We can never make everybody happy and you, as the owner, need to feel the most comfortable.”

Discover more salon interior and design tips in the October issue of Scratch!

Featured image of Blush + Blow, London, courtesy of Kate Nielen Photography.