A salon is more than just a place to get your hair and makeup done. It's also a place to de-stress, unwind, and connect with others in a beautiful, relaxing environment.
It's even suggested in the name itself. A salon is a place where a beautician does their work. It's also a name for a luxurious gathering place to entertain guests. Beauty salons are a bit of both.
That's considering that the salon's design is on-point, however. Improper salon interior design can be one of the reasons that salons and spas fail. That could happen for a number of reasons.
To help you avoid some of these pitfalls, here are some ways to find inspiration for your interior design makeover and some thoughts on how to implement them.
How To Find Salon Interior Design Inspiration
Interior designers find inspiration from all over. Where to look for salon interior design inspiration narrows the field of focus a bit, however.
Start With Pinterest
If you're just beginning to think of a salon interior design makeover, you're likely still in the brainstorming stage. Instead of focusing on experts and trade magazines, go where the people are.
Browse the 'salon interior design' search query on Pinterest. Pinterest is a goldmine of design inspiration, from beauticians all over the world.
You'll see everything from high-end Madison Avenue day spas to family-owned beauty salons in the Deep South. Any of these could be the spark to ignite your design inspiration!
Look At The Best
Now that you have a sense of the breadth of your interior redesign, set your sights on the stars. It's important to have an idea of what the world-class salons are up to. Consider them the gold standards to strive for.
The New Rush Academy's redesign earned them a gushing write-up in Estetica Magazine. The London salon is compared to a modern art gallery, thanks in large part to the lavish murals from artist Paul Insect.
The Rush Academy could just as easily be mistaken for a hip boutique. Absolutely every detail is hand-picked. The receptionist desk is made of 100-year old lumber. The lobby features a distressed laboratory table and antique school chairs.
The Rush Academy's salon interior design goes beyond gimmicks and trends, as well. The redecoration holds to sound design principles like working with the given space and allowing for lots of light.
It might be a while until you can open your bespoke BoHo day spa, but it never hurts to dream big. There are still lessons you can learn from the most elaborate salon interior design.
Look To The Natural World
A salon should be an oasis of calm and beauty amidst the turbulence of modern living. Many of us live in cities and urban environments and we're not able to get to nature for long periods of time, sometimes.
Look to the natural world for some of your salon interior design inspiration. Think about incorporating naturalistic colors and textures, which radiate a sense of organic calm. You can even take this a step further and incorporate some plant life and greenery to brighten and freshen your space.
Consider Your Colors
A fresh coat of paint can totally reinvigorate your salon interior design without breaking the bank. Just remember to consider the colors you're already working with so the new pallet works with your existing decor.
Interior design expert Jeffrey Weldler of Vant Wall Panels in Spring Valley, New York recommends starting with your logo colors.
You should also think about which colors are the most in, at the moment. The Pantone Color Of The Year is a good litmus test for people's design aesthetics of a particular year.
Last year's pallet favored subdued, gender-neutral colors like taupe and beige. These earth tones give a space an upscale, designer look and feel. Things are shaking up a bit in 2018 with Ultraviolet being color of the year.
Pantone's Ultraviolet was made color of the year to emphasize imagination and creativity. "We are living in a time that requires inventiveness and imagination."
The takeaway from Ultraviolet being color of the year is that it's not time to play it safe and conservative. We should all be looking forwards rather than regressing into the past. That's not to say our salon interiors can't be rooted in traditionalism, however.
Think Outside Of Time And Beyond Cultures
This is your salon, remember. You are not obligated to hop on every trend and design aesthetic. Doing so could do more harm than good.
Design of any kind needs to emphasize the unique personality of the brand it's adorning. It'll be the first thing your customers see and make the most lasting impression. Your salon interior design is more important than your logo, copywriting, and promotions put together.
Great interior design needs to be timeless as well as timely. Make sure to consider classic decorating schemes for your salon design, especially if you're thinking of a more elegant and refined look.
Take a look at the inspiring redesign from Chicago's Zuzu Salon. This hip, upscale salon took their cues from classic Parisian and Italian designs. European design broadcasts class and timeless elegance no matter what year it is.
Zazu Salon's design tempers the classicism with some modern touches. They feature their favorite products in tastefully merchandised displays. They also feature state of the art amenities.
The modern touches are offset by elegant crystal chandeliers and Metro-style decor. It's hard to tell what year you're in when you're in Zazu Salon. There's no doubt you'll be given royal treatment and leave feeling like a Princess or Duke when it's all said and done, however.
Sprucing up your salon's design is one of the best investments you can make. Your customers will notice the makeover and most likely tell the world about it. When your salon is beautiful, your advertising and marketing are done for free by your delighted customers.
Want To Find Out More About Running The Most Beautiful Salon Imaginable?
With over 20 years of experience in the beauty industry, we've seen so many trends come and go. We admire timeless beauty and elegance wherever it may be found.
Ready to take your interior design to the next level? Check out these tips for finding the right furniture for your salon!