Salon Furniture & Design

How to Make Your Salon Look Nice and Upgrade Your Space's Appearance

By Winda Yunita Mar 12, 2025

If you're wondering how can I make my salon look nice? You’re in the right place. Creating an inviting, stylish salon isn’t just about how it looks on the surface. A well-designed space sets the right mood, helps clients feel comfortable, and reflects the quality of your services. It's also a great way to express your brand’s personality. From furniture choices to lighting, here's how you can make your beauty salon look its best.

Define Your Brand and Aesthetic

Your salon’s design should reflect the personality and values of your brand. It’s about creating a space that tells clients what you’re all about the moment they step through the door.

Identify Your Target Audience

Start by thinking about your clients: Who are they, and what do they want from their salon experience?

Age, gender, interests, and lifestyle

Your design choices should cater to the needs and preferences of your target audience. For example, if your clientele is mostly young professionals, you might lean toward a sleek, modern design. If your clients are looking for a relaxing, pampering experience, softer colours and plush furniture might be a better fit.

Choose a Colour Palette

Colours play a huge role in setting the atmosphere in your salon. The right palette can make the space feel calm and relaxing, or lively and energising.

Create a mood board

Start by gathering images, textures, and colour swatches that you feel reflect the vibe you want in your salon.

Consider the psychology of colour

Certain colours evoke specific feelings. For example, soft blues create a calming vibe, making them great for relaxation areas. Warm neutrals give off a professional, sophisticated feel for styling stations, while pops of vibrant colours can energise the space.

Select a Style

Your salon’s style should be consistent and tie everything together. Whether it’s minimalist, vintage, or modern, the key is to maintain harmony.

Modern, minimalist, vintage, industrial, bohemian

Choose a style that fits the identity of your brand and your clients’ expectations. A clean, minimalist look might appeal to clients seeking a no-fuss, professional experience, while a vintage or bohemian style can add warmth and personality.

In collaboration with REM’s expert designers, Natural Living offers a customised salon design service to bring your vision to life—whether you’re launching a new space or giving your current one a stunning makeover, explore more here!

Improve the Waiting Area

The waiting area is one of the first things your clients see when they walk in. This space should be comfortable and reflect your salon's aesthetic.

Comfortable Seating

Plush armchairs, sofas, or stylish stools

Choose seating that balances comfort with style. Clients will appreciate a place to relax, whether it's a plush armchair or a stylish stool. Just make sure it’s both functional and in line with your brand’s look.

Engaging Decor

Plants, artwork, magazines, or a small library

Add decor that entertains and relaxes. Plants are an easy way to bring life to your salon, while artwork or magazines can give clients something to browse while they wait.

Ambience

Soft music, subtle scents, and good lighting

Create an environment that feels inviting and relaxing. Soft music in the background, subtle scents, and well-placed lighting can make a big difference in how clients perceive your salon.

Optimise the Styling Stations

Your styling stations should be practical for both clients and stylists, with a focus on comfort, ease, and style.

Ergonomic Design

Comfortable chairs for clients and stylists

Choose styling chairs that are comfortable and adjustable. Your clients should feel relaxed, and your stylists should have enough mobility to work efficiently.

Adjustable mirrors and sufficient workspace

Make sure mirrors are at the right height for every client and stylist. A little extra counter space can go a long way for organising tools and products.

Stylish Storage

Conceal clutter with stylish cabinets or drawers

Storage is essential for keeping your styling stations tidy. Use cabinets or drawers that match your salon’s style while keeping tools and products neatly out of sight.

Personal Touches

Add decorative accents like plants or small sculptures

Adding small touches of personality can go a long way in making the space feel inviting and cohesive with your overall brand. Simple plants, framed photos, or other décor items can personalise the area.

Create a Welcoming Reception Area

The reception area is where clients first interact with your salon. It sets the tone for the rest of their visit.

Inviting Reception Desk

Clean and organised with a warm, friendly atmosphere

A cluttered or messy reception desk is a quick turn-off. Keep your reception area tidy and well-organised. Add a friendly vibe with a well-designed desk that welcomes clients right away.

Clear Signage

Easy-to-read directions and salon information

Good signage helps guide clients and make their visit more pleasant. Display your services, pricing, and any important information clearly, so there’s no confusion.

Retail Display

Showcase products in an attractive and organised manner

If you sell beauty products, make sure they’re displayed in an attractive and accessible way. Group items by type or use, and keep the area neat.

Prioritise Cleanliness and Hygiene

A clean salon is nice to look at and is a key part of the overall client experience.

Regular Cleaning

Maintain a spotless environment throughout the salon

A clean salon is a reflection of your professionalism. Keep surfaces clean, maintain a tidy layout, and make sure everything is in its place.

Sanitary Practices

Visible hand sanitiser stations and clean equipment

Clients should feel comfortable knowing that your salon follows good hygiene practices. Have visible hand sanitising stations, and make sure your tools and equipment are regularly sanitised.

Fresh Linens and Towels

Ensure a hygienic and comfortable experience

Clients will notice the small details. Always have fresh towels and linens on hand, and make sure they’re replaced regularly.

Incorporate Technology

Using technology effectively can make your salon run more smoothly and help create a modern, efficient atmosphere.

Wi-Fi

Offer complimentary Wi-Fi to clients

Providing free Wi-Fi for clients is a simple way to improve their experience. It helps keep them entertained while waiting and is an easy amenity that adds value.

Digital Displays

Showcase promotions, client testimonials, or social media

Use digital displays to show off your latest promotions, positive client reviews, or updates from your social media. This is a great way to keep the environment dynamic.

Online Booking

Offer convenient online booking options

Incorporate online booking so your clients can schedule their appointments easily. A digital system is convenient for them and helps keep your salon organised.

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Improve the Overall Experience

The atmosphere of your salon isn’t just about the visual elements; it’s also about the sensory experience.

Playlists

Create a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere with music

Create a playlist that fits the vibe of your salon. Whether it’s relaxing tunes or something more upbeat, music adds to the overall experience.

Aromatherapy

Use subtle scents to create a calming ambience

Aromatherapy can improve the environment of your salon. Choose scents that complement your brand and help clients feel relaxed, whether it’s lavender for calming or citrus for an energising feel.

Personal Touches

Offer refreshments like water or tea

Offering a small refreshment like water or tea shows clients you care about their comfort and well-being during their visit.

Conclusion

If you’ve been asking yourself, how can I make my salon look nice? The answer lies in thoughtful design choices that reflect your brand, make clients feel comfortable, and create a memorable experience. Focus on creating a welcoming, well-organised space with attention to comfort, style, and cleanliness, and your clients will feel right at home.

Ready to transform your salon space? Natural Living, in collaboration with REM’s talented designers, offers the perfect design service for new builds or renovations. Find out more here!