Salon interior trends for spring/summer 2011

Thinking about giving your salon a fresh new look for the new season? The experts reveal the latest trends in salon design and furniture.

"Different lighting effects can create the right ambience for your salon. Whether it is light and bright or dark and moody, lighting is the finishing touch that gives your salon the wow factor. One way to incorporate a coloured lighting scheme is with the Teknowash from Gamma's Nutopia range, which is designed to relax your clients using Chromatherapy colour therapy." 

"The backwash area has come to the forefront in terms of style, design and, most importantly, comfort and relaxation. This trend is set to become even more popular during the coming months. Colours are opulent and elegant, and we'll see more metallics and textured finishes. Black and white will be back in vogue - gaining ground over the popular brown-and-cream colour scheme - and it works well with accent colours like red."

"Maybe it's a reaction to the economic gloom and doom, but as far as salons are concerned, glam with a splash of colour is back. There's a trend towards more elaborate salons with good-quality furniture and exuberant use of colour to bring some vitality and life into day-to-day hairdressing. Successful salons know they have to bring a sense of theatre into the work environment."  

"Minimalism has been a staple of quality salon design for several years; timeless style, clean features and open spaces have all helped to further accentuate salon furniture, creating a strong impact when clients first enter a salon. This process is slowly evolving with the reintroduction of colours and eye-catching textures. The minimalist style can be retained using fashionable white or black lacquered materials on the styling mirrors, while adding colour to the walls to create a rich, stunning backdrop that blends seamlessly with the furniture." 

"Warmer colours are returning and should stay for a while. The stark, contrasting mono wallpaper has had its day; black is forever cool, but colour has a strong case. And, as always, lighting is key to a successful salon interior design. Go for zoning with different levels of brightness. Make your clients feel there is a journey, with different experiences on the way."

"There are several trends this Spring/Summer, each encapsulating the ethos of the salon, and helping to minimise any design restrictions of the site. Smaller sites might use lighter finishes to create the illusion of space, while larger premises are able to use a variety of darker finishes. High-quality, natural-looking materials are always preferable over any strong use of vibrant colours. Indirect LED lighting behind mirror edges, and concealed lighting inside styling unit worktops and retail shelves, is very popular." 

"After the Eastern influences of last year - dark wood and feature walls with bold wallpaper - people are now cleansing their palettes and introducing clean lines and bright, fresh colours. Large mirrors to reflect light in smaller areas, and the emphasis on a Zen-like calm with plenty of space and clever storage to conceal the tools of the trade, are gaining popularity as salons opt for a minimalist approach."