7 Salon Suite Decor Ideas

One of the biggest advantages of a salon suite (also called a salon studio) is that it gives a stylist total control over the decor, fixtures and layout of their own small hair salon space. It’s a chance to really let your creativity—and your brand—shine. However, a balance must be struck when designing your salon suite. The design and decor of your salon suite play vital roles in creating a welcoming and luxurious atmosphere for your clients. The best setup, from the lights, mirrors & seating to shelves & wall hangings must also work to maximize the space you have. That seems like a lot to think about—but don’t worry. Below are 7 salon suite decor ideas, as well as list of design tips for whatever aesthetic you’re going for.

Suite Design Elements

Here are the four main elements you’ll consider when decorating your salon studio:

Lighting

Utilize a combination of natural light and artificial lighting to create a well-lit, inviting space. Install adjustable curtains or blinds to control the amount of sunlight entering your suite. Choose a mix of overhead lighting, accent lighting, and task lighting. Pendant lights can add elegance while table lamps with warm-toned bulbs or diffused lighting fixtures can be soothing, and wall sconces can create a cozy atmosphere.

Color

When it comes to colors, you can use white & bright to add a sense of spaciousness and then add pops of color throughout. This can be done through artwork, furniture or plants. Speaking of plants, hung, wall-mounted or potted indoor plants complement any color palette!

Certain color schemes create different vibes. For example, beige, cream, gray and other neutral colors create a soothing and relaxing atmosphere that’s great for facials or massages. Jewel tones and pops of bright colors like gold and silver on the other hand, are fun & bold. We’ll discuss how colors come together to form themes below.

Seating & Furniture

With salon furniture, always think comfort, cohesion and function. Go with furniture pieces that are aesthetically pleasing, like plush sofas, ottomans and cozy armchairs. Add throw pillows or blankets for extra comfort. Consider creating a waiting area with side tables where clients can place their belongings or refreshments.

Wall Art & Decor

Whether it’s abstract paintings, photography or graphic prints, choose artwork that complements your suite’s overall theme and creates a focal point.

Salon Suite Design Themes

Incorporating a well-defined theme into your salon suite decor enables you to create a visually cohesive and immersive experience for your clients. Here are a few trendy design ideas. Whichever you choose, make sure it fits comfortably into your suite’s budget.

Bold & Glamorous

When people think of a beauty salon, the bold attributes and a glamorous vibe may come to mind. Think eye-catching colors like gold & silver, or rich jewel tones such as emerald, sapphire, ruby red, or amethyst. Use accent elements for pops of bright colors. For furniture, think plush velvet or satin chairs and colorful throw pillows.

Vintage

Create a sense of nostalgia with antique mirrors and ornate frames, vanity tables or retro chairs, and soft, warm lighting fixtures. Another nice touch is to display vintage hair accessories or beauty products from time periods and brands that resonate with you.

Contemporary

Neutral tones work wonders here. Choose furniture with clean, streamlined silhouettes and incorporate statement pieces like an artistic light fixture. Incorporate abstract art, geometric patterns, or metallic accents for the dose of sophistication a modern salon needs.

Minimalist

Minimalism is all about clean lines, simplicity, and sleek, modern furniture with little ornamentation. Choose neutral colors with shades of white, beige or gray. Incorporate ample storage options to keep your space organized and free of clutter. Wall decorations should be simple and understated, consisting of a few carefully chosen art pieces that also mirror those clean lines you’re using throughout your space.

Nature

Bring the outside in. Choose natural materials like wood accents and an earthy color palette (green, brown, tans, even some blues). Hanging plants and vertical gardens are great touches that save floor space.

You can put a touch of sustainability in your nature theme with LED lights, energy-efficient light bulbs, and paint with low-VOC (volatile organic compounds). Add a Zen vibe with candles, essential oil diffusors and relaxing music. Install adjustable curtains or blinds to control the amount of sunlight entering the room for added relaxation.

Rustic

Rustic gives you a warm, laid-back vibe. Think brick materials and wooden furniture with metal details, with colors like brown, amber, sage green & ivory. A sort of big-city cousin to the rustic look is the industrial design scheme, which employs exposed brick walls, metal accents, and industrial-style, recessed lighting fixtures with exposed bulbs.

Your Theme

Remember that the best theme to infuse your salon suite with is your own. Think about your own brand and, specifically, your brand colors. The themes mentioned above should support those, not contradict them. For example, you may have a soft spot for Art Deco, but those hard gold lines and geometric shapes may be inconsistent with a logo that screams “Malibu beach vibes!”

You’re going to be promoting your salon suite on social media, so have your business name visible, potentially on an accent wall. Accent walls are great for branding because you can encourage clients to take after-appointment selfies in front of them and have them tag your salon later.

Form + Function: Decorating Small Spaces

You’ll need to incorporate a lot of vital salon equipment into your suite’s interior design. The average suite is about 110 square feet, with some floor plans as large as 200 square feet. You need to use all the space you have and in doing so, make your salon space seem bigger.

Consider your workflow and the flow of clients in your space when choosing the following equipment:

Styling Chairs

A modern, ergonomic salon chair that can accommodate a range of body types is necessary. Choose one with space underneath the armrest for a light and airy feel.

Raised furniture, in general, creates a feeling of space, is lightweight and makes cleaning easier. Some chairs are larger because they have backwashes attached.

Shampoo Systems

The shampoo area of your salon suite is especially important. You have the choice of an all-in-one salon chair that reclines into a shampoo bowl. You can also opt for a sidewash setup which features a shampoo bowl and an attached cabinet for added storage. There are also plenty of slim, pedestal shampoo units with tilting bowls for client comfort.

Shelving & Organization

When it comes to shelving and organization, think vertically. Consider open, alternate shelving to neatly store and highlight retail products, back bar items, towels and other items.

Wall-hung cabinets are great for storing additional supplies or decorative elements on top of them. Floating racks with multiple square cubbies are ideal for storing colors, particularly if you like to mix at your workstation.

Salon Styling Station

There are a few things a hair stylist must consider when choosing a styling station. One is how much work they expect to do in their workspace. For example, if you plan to mix colors or prep esthetician services at your station, then you may need a multi-purpose, vanity-style station with countertops. Otherwise, a thin, tower-style station works best.

Some styling stations are entirely wall-mounted for narrower spaces. You can pair one of these with a full-length mirror and a quality salon cart or trolley. A salon cart also provides ample storage for styling tools and products, enables you to mix colors and perform other tasks, and can be wheeled aside when necessary.

Mirrors

Mirrors not only serve a practical purpose but also create an illusion of space and reflect light, making your salon suite feel more spacious. Think about where you’d hang mirrors in your home, and why. Make it a focal point that reflects both natural & artificial light.

Processors & Dryers

Mobile processors can vary greatly in price ($350–$2,000+), but they enable clients to stay in their seats for their treatment and can be wheeled away when it is completed. The same is true of hooded dryers.

They may cost a bit more than their wheeled counterparts (potentially $800–$900), but wall-mounted hooded dryers give you one less puzzle piece to store in your suite.

Contactless Payment

Payment methods should be quick, seamless and leave as tiny a footprint as possible. In lieu of an entire POS (point of sale) setup, opt for a mobile, contactless credit card payment solution. Vagaro enables you to accept payment on any device. Additionally, its wireless card reader fits in the palm of your hand.

There are plenty of reputable retailers out there, including Buy-Rite Beauty, Minerva Beauty, Salon Equipment USA, Salon Furniture Warehouse, Sally Beauty, Salon Smart & more¹.

Keep in mind that some of the furniture and equipment mentioned above is often provided to suite renters by certain salons. For example, the suites of Salons by JC come with mirrors, shampoo pots, beds, blankets, hairdryers, and roller carts with other equipment & materials.

As a beauty professional, decorating your salon suite should be a fun way to let your brand shine, but should be done with minimum space, a coherent theme and a solid budget in mind. So, get out that tape measure and figure out exactly what you’re working with.

How much space do you need for salon booking & management software? If you’re using Vagaro, the only space you need is about as much as your smartphone occupies. Start your 30-day trial now and experience it for yourself!

Sources:

https://smallbiztrends.com