Material Selection for Salons: How To Get Both Function AND “Wow” Factor 

Opening your own salon has been a dream for many years in the making. You’ve finally found the ideal property location, nailed down the floor plan, selected a contractor, and maybe even started to see a few stud walls go up. Then the phone call comes saying it’s time to pick out the flooring and wall finishes, but you thought you had already reached the “finish” line (pun intended).” After all the hoops you’ve jumped through, this part should be easy, right? Not so fast! Many skip right over the function of materials and mistakenly go straight for the “wow” factor but it is a good idea to pause before making those selections.

FUNCTION FIRST… 

The proper functional selection of materials is the key component in creating a salon space that is durable, able to withstand intense demands of chemicals and cleansing agents over time, and preserves the design integrity of your space. From upholstery to flooring to walls to sinks, nearly every surface in a salon has the potential to come into contact with harsh salon chemicals that can discolor or stain. To protect your investment, it is important for salon owners to hire an experienced commercial interior designer who knows the difference between materials that are appropriate for salon demands and those which are not. (i.e., their function). Commercial interior designers with NCIDQ certification (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) have passed a rigorous exam that ensure their knowledge of health and safety standards including how materials perform under heavy use. They have the experience selecting materials that meet business requirements and building codes and have built relationships with trusted vendors who provide certified and warrantied products. 

…THEN THE “WOW” FACTOR 

Of course, aesthetics play a factor in material selection, too. The finishes must work together to achieve three things: 1) represent the spirit of your brand, 2) convey your core values and 3) offer a “wow” factor. Carefully crafted details spell out that you are a luxury brand, bold use of color and pattern show that you’re creative and welcoming, or a streamlined white reception desk shows your modern edge. Employees benefit from carefully selected materials, too. When stylists feel comfort underfoot from a well-selected flooring system or can recharge in a nice breakroom, that carries over into their job performance and client experience.  

TAKE-AWAYS 

Consider these suggestions for when it’s time to select your salon finishes for an eye-catching final product:  

1) Flooring Materials

• Comfort underfoot is important for stylists  
• Non-slip standards must be met for commercial spaces to comply with city codes 
• Cleanability is important in keeping the floor looking fresh day to day 
• After seeing how multiple products perform in real salon environments, we have a go-to luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring that can withstand dye, allowing even light-colored floors to be used.

2) Wallcovering Materials

• Consider the wall material in spaces where someone may be sitting or passing through with dye on their hair, often processing areas or corridors 
• If it is high traffic, we have a special wallcovering with non-staining technology.  
• Porcelain tile is also an option depending on budget.  

3) Cabinetry Materials

• We typically always use plastic laminate for base cabinets. For areas that get high levels of chemical and dye exposure, we specify an extra added finish that is used in science labs so it is highly durable to all chemicals. 
• Plastic laminate is also a great solution for countertops, but for areas where you may want to feel more luxurious, we suggest Dekton (a highly durable non-porous material). 

4) Furniture + Upholstery Materials

• Be sure to check the upholstery specifications to ensure it is easy to clean and withstand harsh chemicals 

BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER 

Once these finishes are selected by a commercial interior designer, they will create a neat and tidy drawing package that gets shared with your contractor so that procurement and installation goes smoothly. This includes a construction drawing set that documents all of the product specifications and a detailed finish plan and legend that shows exactly where each material goes in the space and how it should be installed. This leaves zero room for error or miscommunication – make sure this step isn’t skipped! 

Slate Interiors Studio specializes in salon and spa design, with targeted knowledge in finish selection for long term durability. How can you become the salon everyone talks about? Schedule a call with us to discuss your project >