Top tips on buying salon furniture
Published
05th Oct 2010
by sophieh
This can be a dangerous strategy as it creates the need to buy furniture that fits into the concept and the space.
Include your furniture in your initial plans and you can find the right purchase for your salon. Here Andrew Dupratt, national territory manager for Takara Belmont reveals the things you should consider before buying new furniture or equipment.
- The size and shape of the salon
Even salons with the most limited of space can be planned to maximise floor space. Take advantage of any salon design offered by your dealer or equipment supplier.
- The ambience you want to create
Just like interior design and colour schemes, furniture needs to complement and add a further dimension to the salon. Chairs are a main feature that are integral to the whole look, so choose a design and ensure they can be customised to your interior through different upholstery options. Additionally, think about the clients and what kind of experience you want to offer. Clients spend the majority of their time in a chair when in the salon, so you need to get the balance between design and comfort just right.
- The extra services you are going to offer
Salons are now adding more services, such as spa-style treatments, head massage and extensions, so furniture that suits the range of services is important too.
- Your budget and how to spend it
Budget is important, but remember to consider value for money and the long-term cost of ownership too. The recession saw a surge in low-priced furniture that many salons are already replacing or repairing. Aside from the costs involved, salons can also lose income due to downtime while the furniture is out of commission. Cheap in the short term can be expensive over time, so get the right furniture first and look at finance options to spread the cost to make the best furniture affordable.
- The longevity of any new look you create
Some furniture is driven by trends in the fashion industry, and is 'of the moment', so it may look dated or out-of-vogue in a short time. It may also fail to suit a change in your colour scheme or interior design. Going for classic, timeless styles that will remain contemporary and give you scope to change your interior is preferable and will save you money. Furniture that doesn't continually need repairing or replacing is good for business too, so it's always advisable to go for a reputable brand that has a track record of delivering quality that lasts.