5 Things I Wish I Had Considered When Designing My Salon Space

5 Things I Wish I Had Considered When Designing My Salon Space

When I first opened my salon, I was focused on making it beautiful, functional, and inviting. But as time passed, I realized there were a few crucial design elements I overlooked—things that could have saved me stress, time, and money in the long run. If you’re in the process of designing your own salon, take these lessons to heart!

1. More Shampoo Bowls – Because You’ll Always Need Them!

When I designed my salon, I planned for five stylist chairs but only installed two shampoo bowls. At the time, I thought it was enough. Fast forward, and I quickly realized we needed a minimum of three—if not more! With multiple stylists working simultaneously, shampoo bowls often became a bottleneck in our workflow. Guests would have to wait, and stylists found themselves juggling schedules to avoid backups. If you’re designing your salon, plan for extra shampoo bowls—you’ll thank yourself later!

2. Storage – You Can Never Have Enough!

One thing that wasn’t top of mind when I opened my salon was how much storage we’d actually need. Over time, we added more services, products, and guest amenities—meaning more tools, supplies, and retail inventory. Suddenly, our small storage areas weren’t cutting it. My stylists needed designated spaces for their personal belongings, and we needed extra room for color stock, towels, and back bar products. If I could do it again, I’d incorporate much more built-in storage from the start!

3. Flooring- Picking the right flooring

When remodeling, I refurbished the existing natural wood floors. For the first five years, these floors held up strong with the double coating of top coat that was applied throughout. By year eight, the frequently used areas started showing wear and tear, and most of the flooring needed a new coating. I would consider a commercial-grade flooring or an easy-to-clean color that stains off the ground.

4. Waiting Area Comfort 

If your waiting area isn't designed well, clients might feel cramped or uncomfortable. A welcoming space with cozy seating, refreshments, and entertainment can enhance the overall experience. We decided on a long leather couch and a couple of cozy chairs. Our waiting area seemed to be comfortably inviting to our guests, but after watching clients' habits in the waiting area I realized the couch might have been a bad decision. Clients would sit on opposite ends, so we switched to individual chairs.

5. Thinking Beyond Today – Plan for Future Growth

When choosing my salon space, I was focused on what I needed at that moment—not where I wanted my business to be in five or ten years. I didn’t think about how much square footage I’d truly need to grow, hire more stylists, or expand service offerings. Now, as my business evolves, I sometimes feel limited by my space. If you’re in the design phase, think big! Consider how your salon might expand in the future so you don’t outgrow your space too quickly.

These are just a few of the lessons I’ve learned along the way. If you’re interested in more insights from my salon ownership journey, check out my blog on The 5 Mistakes I Made When Opening My First Salon—where I share even more real-life experiences to help you build a thriving, well-planned business.