When you design or remodel your small salon, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the volume of ideas on the internet or discouraged by the outdated ideas you find there. If you’ve had enough of the obsolete glamour-like candelabras and quilted sofas - you are in the right place. We have some brilliant small hair salon design ideas that scream “You will leave us with soft honey baby lights, not the brown and white chunks from the early 2000s”. Let’s focus on the three trends that are currently making waves in the interior design community - industrial, Scandinavian, and rustic. Keep reading to take a look at what defines each of them, what their pros and cons are, which business styles they would fit the best, and how expensive they would be to implement. Let’s discuss hair salon decor that will give your brand a boost!
Industrial style can feel unfussy and unassuming. As the name implies, it takes inspiration from abandoned industrial buildings, like old factories and warehouses or urban lofts converted for light industrial use. Its charm lies in its intentional rawness which is supposed to imply that you adopted a deserted workplace.
With its connection to a post-industrial relic, industrial design in a small salon is full of seemingly unfinished or discarded elements, like exposed wiring or ductwork, bricks, concrete, and weathered wood. Industrial-themed interiors are usually neutral in coloring (often greys and earthy browns), but take advantage of smartly placed contrasts (for example, by pairing light-colored wood with black wiring). Pipes, wires, and hanging metal light fixtures with vintage light bulbs are used as decor in salons with this design. The furniture is usually minimalistic and geometric, oftentimes made from raw wood and steel. Industrial style goes well with modern art such as abstract paintings and photography.
Industrial can be a great option if you:
Industrial may not be the best choice if you:
How can you make your salon interior look industrial on a budget?
If you have the budget and the means to go all in, it’s best to invest in the walls and flooring of your small studio design first. Raw wood parquet or concrete-like tiles, bricks. These choices are the base for any further industrial interior decor for your salon. However, if you are not keen on spending that much and/or doing such a major renovation, there are ways to give your salon an industrial feel without big investments.
The Scandinavian design style for your salon is minimalistic, sleek, and clean, yet very warm and cozy at the same time. The philosophy is that all things should be functional, simple, and of good quality. Scandinavian design emerged in the Nordic countries during the 1930s and has become a cult classic ever since.
When you think about Scandinavian design, the first thing that comes to mind is the calm, muted color palettes, clean forms, simple profiles, and lack of visual clutter. The beauty of this style lies in its simplicity - all the design choices are deliberate and well-thought-through so that each piece is not only stylish but also functionally designed in your small salon space. Performance and aesthetics are equally important. You invest in pieces that are supposed to serve you for years to come, bring joy, and provide comfort at the same time. Common elements of Scandi charm are all-white color schemes, natural wood (and other eco-materials), wide-plank flooring, sculptural forms of decor, occasional pops of color, and a pinch of stylish patterns here and there. And plants. Lots and lots of them!
Scandinavian can be a great option if you:
Scandinavian may not be the best choice if you:
Scandinavian interior design is all about making wise purchases - it’s about quality, not quantity. Furniture made from good-quality materials, such as solid wood, can be very expensive, which can make it easier to keep things minimalistic!
“Rustic”, when used to describe a style of salon interior design, can be a very broad term. Stripped down to its philosophy, it’s all about embracing the aesthetics of things organic and natural. Depending on the exact direction you choose, you want your interior to resemble a forest lodge, a countryside cottage, or a tiny coastal one. The flexibility of this style allows you to either go for very soft, relaxing vibes of a peaceful seaside or for the dark and mysterious atmosphere of a cabin in the middle of the taiga.
First and foremost, forget about plastic, polished wood, synthetic fabrics, and bright, “artificial” colors. While Scandinavians approved of modern-style decor in contrast coloring here and there, rustic goes for an organic look. If you go for wood, go for wide plank flooring, beams to “support” the ceiling, and massive furniture made from alder, hickory, or pine. If you want some metal elements, make sure they’re wrought iron or other aged metals. If you are keen on stone, avoid everything sleek and regular. Rustic favors rawness, stability, and rough elegance.
Rustic can be a great option if you:
Rustic may not be the best choice if you:
“Rustic” and “on a budget” are hard to set together. The furniture characteristic for this style (heavy, solid, made of natural materials) is usually rather pricey. It’s best to follow the Scandinavian example and go for 1-2 statement pieces - then you can “fill the gaps” with decor for your small salon.
Small interiors in salons can be incredibly charming if designed in the right way. However, you need to keep in mind that it’s not only the salon’s visual organization but mainly the way you manage it that makes it either orderly or chaotic.
Even the sleekest look won’t make up for management mistakes - getting lost in your appointment records or double booking will make you look messy, regardless of your hickory flooring and upscale sconces. This is why it’s not only important to invest in hair salon interior design, but also the right software. Thanks to a proper management system, you will be able to have full control over your hair business - from a foolproof appointment book to precise performance statistics. Learn more about the best software for hair salons and take care of your business, inside and out!
