The secret of on-trend salon design

When it comes to designing a hair salon, Charlie Hearn of salon design and shopfitting company, Signature has some killer advice: "Visiting the hair salon should satisfy clients on an emotional as well as a physical level.

"Whatever theme you give your salon it should reflect your personality, attitude and philosophy, ensuring it is interpreted with conviction, otherwise it just becomes a

pastiche."

Charlie, who has an impressive list of cilents that includes Cheynes, Lisa Shepherd, Saks and many independents, is an expert in salon design and has some easy-to-follow tips for any salon looking to adopt one of the four key trends - boudoirs, modern and minimalist, classic and contempory and unique.

Beautiful Boudoirs

• Salvage or reclamation yards are great for statement or architectural pieces.
  
  



• Use internet auction sites for sourcing period or retro furniture, you'll find a greater selection online than at your local auction house with the benefit that you can shop after closing time.
  
  



• Second-hand lighting and electrical items, including original chandeliers and lamps, must be checked by a registered electrician as in most cases they'll need rewiring.
  
  



• If space is limited be prepared to exercise some
  
  restraint otherwise you could end up with a salon that's more junk shop than professional working environment

Classic and Timeless

• It's easy to dismiss this look in the current climate of decorative excess as too safe and unadventurous, but a décor with a broad appeal for clients of all ages and backgrounds is a bonus for any business.



• Stick to a neutral palette of complementary colours for a relaxing and reassuring motif.



• The use of accents of colour or creating feature walls is ideal for delineating different zones, like the reception or the retail areas and creating a focal point.



• Limit any bold colour or textural statements to soft furnishings, accessories or artwork and update these once or twice a year depending on your budget to refresh the look of the salon.

Modern and Minimalist

• Remember that there is more than one shade of white, from icy to creamy. Play around with the shade spectrum and incorporate several into the same scheme.
  
  



• Think about texture - do walls and ceilings have to be ultra-smooth for instance?
  
  



• Clean lines and a lack of clutter will make a limited amount of space appear much larger, so look into the feasibility of concealed cupboards.
  
  



• Minimalism doesn't have to mean monotonous, settle on a scheme that allows you to rearrange the occasional furniture from time to time to bring a fresh perspective.

Dare to be different

• Don't lose sight of the fact that you are a business and the interior has to be a functional environment as well as a fun one.
  
  



• Ensure there are no jazzy or garish patterns reflecting in mirrors in designated colour zones as these can muddy the waters when showing off colour results.
  
  



• Fabric remnant shops are perfect for inexpensively sourcing materials to mix and match. Asian fabric shops are superb for more sumptuous fabrics and trimmings.
  
  



• Charity shops and jumble sales are the natural hunting ground of authentic kitsch accessories, which always have more character than reproductions.

Looking to re-design your salon? Visit the HJi directory for all the key contacts for salon design, planning and shopfitting or seek inspiration from some of these stunning salon interiors.