Salon Remodeling & Renovation (New Year, New Look)

• Color. A study by Joseph Bellizi and Robert Hite tested the effects of red and blue on purchasing decisions and found that customers consider red retail environments to be unpleasant, negative, tense and unattractive in comparison to cool-color (blue or green) retail environments. In addition, shoppers spent 46 percent more in the blue environments during simulated shopping trips.
• Orientation. U.S. customers tend to drift to the right when they enter a store—this is thought to be connected to the side of the road we drive on. In addition, people tend to reach to the right when shopping because most are right-handed. Your best bet is to place products with the highest profit margins to the right of the entrance and slightly right of the middle of the shelves.

Waiting area. The waiting area is another important aspect of your lobby—you want your customers to have a comfortable place to wait, especially as busy season gets underway. Depending on the size of the space and the salon décor, salon owners can choose to incorporate a variety of seating options, from chairs to couches to chaise lounges. If you aren’t able to spring for new furniture, try re-upholstering what you currently have—it doesn’t have to be new to look like it is. Beyond the furniture, you can also spruce up this part of the salon by adding decorative, homey touches—think throw pillows, a coffee table, vases, candles and art pieces.

Tanning Rooms

Obviously, the tanning rooms are where your customers will be spending most of their time while at your salon, so it’s important that these spaces are inviting and pleasant. The main considerations when constructing or adding tanning rooms is whether to use modular walling or drywall, and whether you also will add new equipment.

Walling. Modular walls are becoming more popular because of shorter installation times and easier upkeep (modular walls—which come in a variety of wood grains and colors—don’t need to be painted and can be easily wiped clean), as well as the fact that the walls are reconfigurable, allowing owners to change the salon layout down the road. However, for owners who are adding to a salon that already has drywall tanning rooms, continuing the trend is often easier (and more cost-effective) than changing the original building. Just be aware that drywall projects are labor-intensive. You’ll need to allow plenty of time for their completion and may have to modify your business hours to accommodate construction.

Equipment. When the focus is on remodeling your tanning rooms, you would be remiss not to consider incorporating new equipment. In fact, many salon owners feel that unveiling an updated look without simultaneously introducing new beds is pointless. However, new equipment means big expenses, so be sure that you factor any equipment purchases into your budget before getting started. You also can help keep initial costs down through financing and leasing, or by purchasing used equipment. (Check out “The Trading Post” forum on TanToday.com, an online listing of equipment for sale by salon owners.)

Non-tanning rooms. Of course, room remodels aren’t always to increase your tanning space—you may be planning to add new services to your salon menu. Special design aspects, such as easy-to-clean surfaces for rooms that will house airbrush spray-tanning equipment, may be needed. Plan ahead so that you don’t have to make changes after the fact.