Whether you’re designing your salon from the ground up or refreshing your current space, the options for features and finishes are endless. From budget- conscious style to features that exude luxury appeal and more, we have tips and tricks from the pros to help you get the job done.
For Budget Conscious
Save On: Utilities
“Find a salon that has already been in that space, that’s up to code with electrical and plumbing and you’ll save time and money,” says Sandra Fiore, owner of Fiore + Greco. “When you are leasing the space, it will take you three months before you start to make money, so finding an existing space with those built-in features is key to saving on time and money.”
Spend On: Features and Finishes
“You should have great equipment, millwork, and styling stations,” says Fiore, “when people are walking down the street they are looking from a place that is going to make an impression.”
Invest In: Your Chair
“Your styling chairs should reflect your budget. Look at chairs as an investment, you don’t want to have to be repairing them if they don’t function,” says Fiore.
Save On: Mirrors
“Have a really great mirror for each station, at the correct thickness (six-inches or more) but keep your cost in check by keeping the length of them the height of the chairs, not full length,” she says.
Save On: Space
“Think about how much space you want to allocate to a front desk,” says Fiore, “You want to have a welcoming area, but with apps you can easily check out (and rebook) clients at the styling station, and a smaller front desk could mean, an additional styling station.”
Spend On: Paint
“Paint is always a way to freshen up a space it makes it look loved. When you have a mix of eclectic items choose a paint colour the same colour as the items so that it keeps the flow of the salon pleasing to the eye,” says Fiore.
Beauty and the Environment
Lease Eco-Friendly Space Leasing a space in a LED building is the best way to ensure you are reducing your carbon footprint because the building is in control of your amount of hydro of electricity in a building. Keep in mind you’ll need to design in a way to select the correct toilet and lighting.
Get On the Floor
Source your features and finishes locally, which helps to reduce your carbon footprint. When it comes to sourcing flooring there are a lot of sustainable options, which are also better for hairstylists who are on their feet all day.
Sinkside Service
Water consumption is a salon’s biggest consumption and installing faucet systems including Ecoheads is a terrific option for helping
to maintain water pressure while still keeping water consumption in check.
Men’s Detailing
Height Matters
Barber chairs are always higher, so keep in mind that some staff may have a tough time cutting. Also good to know is that headrests sometimes detach from the chair, so you’ll need to find a place to store it if you decide to alternate using and not using it..
Light It Up
Even more than in a salon, when you’re catering to men, lighting needs to be at the right height to accommodate taller clients. Also, the positioning of the lighting is key as a lot of shadows can occur when doing detailing work, so the lighting needs to be around the chair and not on it.
Selling Out
Display retail in a way that offers the chance to talk about the product. A retail area should look like a boutique, with skincare products highlighted, and visuals utlitized. Men want to be educated on what they are using.
Well Equipped
The equipment you’re using must convey the general idea of a barbershop, and be very comfortable. There are a lot of barbering chairs on the market, so make sure you choose ones that are robust, cosy and can be reclined. Men want to feel at ease when having their service.
Finishing Details
While wood interiors are popular in men’s design, these materials may not be durable enough for a salon. Instead, opt for composite materials and veneers or laminates, which are affordable, chemical- and water-resistant, and still deliver the masculine touch that appeals to your clients.
A Luxe Look
Image First
Mélissa Lavigne, designer at Lanvain Design in Saint- Laurent, Quw. says that to convey a luxury image in your salon, you need to think about your concept, brand and philosophy, even before you begin the design process.
Special Areas
Make sure you create well- defined areas for each of the services that are well integrated with the flow of the salon’s overall design. In your retail space, clients should be able to touch the products and convey a true sensory experience.
Timeless Materials
Try to combine on-trend and classic materials, while choosing some components that are raw and natural. It’s the combination of these different influences that will create a customized décor with interesting finishes and textures.
Digital Details
Include digital tools and add-ons (chargers for client’s electronics, for example) in a clean and well-lit reception area.
Illuminating Experience
“A salon requires much more lighting than any other type of retail operation,” says Lavigne. “Different types of services are often grouped together by zone, and because of that, you will need different sources of light. With LEDs, we can create beautifully balanced lighting that is energy efficient with good design. Lighting is now not only used as a source of light, but also for its decorative qualities.”
Customize the Light
Cool white lighting is used to showcase products inside retail display counters. But in the colour service areas, a more natural light, is needed in order to assess the client’s initial colour and see the exact hair colour result. Finally, in the rest areas of the salon, Lavigne suggests including a warmer lighting to create more of a cozy feeling.
Marble: Yes or No?
Marble is a beautiful material, but it’s not recommended for a hair salon since it’s porous and easy to stain. Want the same effect as marble? Choose porcelain, which imitates the look.
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