So, you’ve found the ultimate salon or spa location, and you’re ready to start the design phase – good for you! Here are some of the more common pitfalls with a new beauty business that you’ll want to avoid.
A common mistake in laying out a salon or spa floor plan is missing or underestimating some of the required facilities for both clients and staff. Obviously, you’d need to plan out the treatment rooms, workstations, and shampoo areas but what about reception and retail areas, room for waiting, and changing rooms? Take into consideration how much space you’ll need for each, where each should go for the best possible traffic patterns between each point.
For color services, you’ll need plenty of space for a dispensary and access to a sink for rinsing out the bowls and brushes. Maybe even consider a separate color processing area for clients during busier days. Many color-focused salons are opting for a color bar or a section where your client can relax during processing, essentially freeing up your chair to do another client, such as a men’s cut.
For spas, you’ll want to think through the foot traffic to keep noise at a minimum. Consider the placement of the treatment rooms and the possible need for added insulation to help soundproof certain areas.
You’ll also need a breakroom or designated area for employees, including storage lockers for their belongings. Other things to take into consideration would be a kitchen or kitchenette with a refrigerator, possibly a dishwasher and microwave oven. It all depends on the size of your staff and how many amenities you wish to offer your clients. Keep in mind that you and your team will spend a great deal of your time in this facility, so, a little creature comfort may go a long way.
Another space issue to take into consideration is whether or not to have laundry facilities on premises. If you have enough towels and smocks on hand plus storage for both to last your staff several days, then you may be able to work with a laundry service that picks up and delivers a couple of times a week. Otherwise, you’ll likely need to take laundry home most every day. The best option, if you can manage it, is to have an on-premises washer and dryer. Most larger salons have one or two washers and dryers going at all times, so think this step through carefully based on salon size and how busy your business will be or could become.
Your local fire authority may have a limit as to the number of people that can be in the facility at any one given time. Find out what that limit is for the size and layout of your facility and what signage is required by law. Some areas also dictate the number of bathrooms needed for the space and amount of people using the facility at any given time. Also, make sure that your business meets local laws for disabled patron access to your facility. These requirements can include curb and other ramps, designated parking, and bathrooms and other parts of the salon with wheelchair access. All of these necessities should be carefully planned out when allocating space in your salon.
Naturally, it’s advised to work with a qualified salon designer and architect to help you make the most of your space.
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