Salon Design

The design and décor of the salon itself, inside and out, do as much to influence the buying decisions of the customer as does the packaging of a consumer item for its particular audience.

When a customer walks into your salon for the first time, several things are going to contribute to his first impression. One of the first things is the reception he receives from the salon employee at the front desk. However, no amount of nicety and proficiency on the tanning process will induce that customer to return if the salon itself seems dingy, gloomy, claustrophobic or otherwise makes the client feel uncomfortable.

When deciding on the features of the facility, then, do things with a sense of purpose. Some of the most important considerations in the design of the salon are space utilization and layout, decor and furnishings, lighting, use of color and environmental control. The successful synthesis of these elements will result in a salon that presents a quality image.

One of the most widespread complaints in regard to tanning salons is the claustrophobic feel people experience in the tanning rooms and even tanning units. If, for some reason, you can’t avoid placing a unit in a room that is too small, a wall-sized panoramic print on one wall can lend a feeling of space. The effect of the same technique in a somewhat larger room is better still.

The layout of the entire salon should be designed to facilitate the flow of traffic. Tanning rooms should be clearly marked and easily accessible. The reception area should be planned with the display of accessories in mind. Waiting areas should be comfortable and should be supplied with some sort of diversion, be it television, current copies of popular magazines or newspapers.

Hiring a Designer

If you are planning a new look or are opening a salon, don’t hesitate to consult a designer. Look for a designer that specializes in retail operations, rather than office or home designs. Then, look for someone who understands your products, your customers and your competition.

Beyond the designer, however, is determining your budget. If you do not supply accurate estimates of available dollars, both you and your designer will spin wheels in working out a design that may not be achievable due to lack of funds. Conversely, if you indicate a smaller budget than you actually have, you may not get the desired look. Calculate a realistic budget, give it to your designer and then try to stick with it.

In order to get the most from your designing dollars, it works best if you do some research yourself ahead of time. Select two or three color schemes that you like so the designer has a starting point. Investigate different flooring qualities—you want something low-maintenance and wear-resistant, but still attractive. Also check out a variety of wall treatments, both for appearance and maintenance requirements. This way you’ll be able speak the designer’s language a bit better, which results in a design you’ll really be comfortable with, in less time and at less cost.

Do It Yourself

For those who don’t feel a designer is required or would rather do it themselves, there are many sources of help in the industry, such as your distributor. They will work with you on laying out your salon in much the same manner as a designer.

Planning your own salon requires an initial layout of the floor area and all wall elevations. Use grid paper and develop a scales (such as 1/8 inch or 1/4 inch = 1 foot). Draw a very accurate plan of the floor indicating architectural elements. Then do the same for the walls in an elevation drawing. Now draw in the washrooms, tanning rooms, reception area, waiting area, product display area and utility room. Make sure that the washrooms and utility room are somewhere to the rear of your facility so the front is left for sales and display. At this point, you can start to detail the salon.

Floor Coverings. Floor coverings are one of the first things your customer will see when he/she walks in the front door. Your best bet is to install a wipeable surface, such as concrete or tile. Those are pricier options, though, so if that is not in your budget, opt for a dark, neutral, subtly patterned, commercial carpet.

Ceilings. Most salons are not in the business of selling ceilings, so unless the ceiling is quite low, paint it a darker color than the walls. This tends to make it disappear. If your ceiling is quite high, we would suggest spaceframes or banners to bring it down. In addition, get rid of all glaring fluorescent lights. Either replace them with standard or low-voltage track lighting or cover them with diffusers to direct light down to the floor where it should be.

Displays and Shelving. Make sure your cases imply value; in other words, buy quality displays. Light them using mirror doors and color coordinate the bases with the rest of your salon. Displays come in virtually any size or finish and can be used on the salon floor or up against the walls of the store. Showcases sell lotions, jewelry, sunglasses and other small impulse items.

Washrooms. Since you cater to male and female customers, it is advisable to have one to two washrooms that your customers can use either before or after tanning. Always keep them clean. Your customers will appreciate it.

Utility Room. Because most salonsprovide each tanning customer with a towel, it is a good idea to have a washer and dryer. These are optional items, however, they will make it much easier for you to always have fresh, clean towels on hand.