10 Beautiful Salon Interior Design Ideas for Small Spaces

Let me tell you about the moment I realized salon design actually matters. I walked into a new salon last year – the stylist came highly recommended – but the space looked like a hospital had a baby with a warehouse.

Harsh fluorescent lights, white walls, and that distinctive smell of chemicals mixed with despair. Despite the stylist’s talent, I never went back.

That experience taught me that great hair skills mean nothing if your clients feel like they’re getting their roots done in a morgue.

After helping redesign three salons and spending way too much of my life in various beauty spaces (blonde maintenance is real, folks), I’ve learned that salon interior design directly impacts your bottom line.

Clients don’t just want good hair – they want an experience, a escape, a few hours where they feel pampered and special.

These ten salon interior design ideas aren’t just about looking pretty on Instagram; they’re about creating spaces where clients relax, stylists thrive, and everyone wants to stay just a little bit longer.

Minimalist Modern Salon Interior

Minimalist salons are like that friend who has their life together – everything has a purpose, nothing’s out of place, and somehow it all looks effortless. I helped design a minimalist salon in Brooklyn, and the owner was skeptical at first. “Won’t it look empty?” she asked. Three months later, she had a waiting list.

The minimalist formula for salons focuses on clean lines, functional beauty, and absolutely zero clutter. Your tools become part of the design, not something to hide. Your products are displayed like art, not crammed on shelves.

Essential minimalist salon elements:
• Floating stations with hidden storage
• Monochromatic color scheme with one accent
• Wall-mounted everything to keep floors clear
• Quality over quantity in furniture choices
• Strategic lighting that creates ambiance without clutter

The game-changer I discovered was that minimalist design actually makes salons feel larger. By removing visual noise, even a 600-square-foot space feels spacious. One salon went from feeling cramped with six stations to feeling airy with eight, just by embracing minimalism.

Have you ever noticed how the most expensive salons often have the least stuff? That’s not coincidence. When you strip away distractions, the quality of your service becomes the focus. Plus, cleaning takes half the time when there’s nowhere for dust and hair to hide.

Luxurious Gold Accent Salon Design

Gold accents in a salon say “you’re worth it” before anyone touches your hair. But there’s a fine line between luxe and tacky – I’ve seen both, and trust me, you want to land on the luxe side.

Creating luxury with gold means using it strategically as an accent, not drowning your space in it. Think of gold like highlighter on your cheekbones – a little in the right places creates magic, too much makes you look like a disco ball.

Key areas for gold accents:
• Mirror frames (instant elegance)
• Light fixtures (warm, flattering glow)
• Hardware on stations and cabinets
• Reception desk details
• One statement wall or feature

I worked with a salon that spent $500 on gold-leafed mirror frames from a thrift store restoration. That single change elevated their entire space from suburban strip mall to urban luxury. They raised their prices 20%, and nobody complained.

The secret to gold that doesn’t scream “Vegas”? Pair it with neutral colors like white, black, or deep navy. The contrast makes the gold feel intentional rather than overwhelming.

Cozy Scandinavian Salon Vibes

Scandinavian salon design brings hygge to hair care – that Danish concept of cozy comfort that makes clients want to live in your shampoo bowls. After visiting salons in Copenhagen, I understood why this style creates such loyal clients.

Scandinavian salon principles revolve around natural materials, soft textures, and light that makes everyone look like they got eight hours of sleep. It’s minimalism’s warmer, friendlier cousin.

Creating Scandi salon magic:
• Light wood everything (floors, furniture, shelving)
• White walls to maximize natural light
• Cozy textiles at every touchpoint
• Plants that actually thrive indoors
• Candles or warm lighting for ambiance

The revelation was discovering that Scandinavian design reduces client anxiety. The natural materials and soft colors create a calming environment that makes even dramatic color changes feel less scary. One salon reported a 40% increase in color services after redesigning with Scandi principles.

My favorite Scandi salon trick? Heated floors. Yes, it’s an investment, but clients notice and remember. Nothing says luxury like warm feet in February.

Also Read: 12 Beautiful Restaurant Interior Design Ideas and Luxe Ambiance

Industrial Chic Salon Layout

Industrial salon design makes you feel like you’re getting your hair done in the coolest loft in the city, even if you’re actually in a strip mall in the suburbs. It’s urban edge without the urban rent.

Industrial style in salons works because it’s honest about what it is – a working space where transformation happens. Exposed elements become features, not flaws to hide.

Industrial elements that work in salons:
• Exposed brick or concrete walls
• Metal and wood station combinations
• Edison bulb track lighting
• Visible plumbing as design features
• Leather and metal waiting area furniture

I helped convert an old garage into a salon, and the industrial elements told the space’s story. We kept the garage door (now opens for summer ventilation), used old car parts as decor, and the original concrete floor saved thousands on flooring. The authenticity attracted a younger, edgier clientele who loved the vibe.

The challenge with industrial? Acoustics can be brutal. Solution: strategic soft elements like upholstered chairs, fabric art pieces, and that blessed invention, acoustic ceiling tiles that look like tin.

Bright and Airy Salon Makeover

Bright and airy salons make everyone look good – clients, stylists, and especially that selfie you’re about to post. Natural light is basically free Instagram filter, and who doesn’t want that?

Creating brightness in salons goes beyond just painting everything white. It’s about maximizing light from every source and using it to create energy and positivity.

Brightness boosters that transform salons:
• Mirrors positioned to reflect natural light
• Light colors on walls, floors, and ceilings
• Glass partitions instead of solid walls
• Skylights or solar tubes if possible
• LED lighting that mimics daylight

The salon that nailed this concept replaced one solid wall with floor-to-ceiling windows. The construction cost was significant, but their electricity bill dropped 30% and booking increased 50%. Natural light literally paid for itself.

FYI, bright doesn’t mean stark. Layer in warm wood tones or soft pastels to prevent that dental office vibe nobody wants.

Vintage Glam Salon Interior

Vintage glam salons transport clients to Hollywood’s golden age, where everyone had perfect waves and nobody had split ends. This style works because it promises glamour, and isn’t that why we go to salons anyway?

Creating vintage glam means choosing your era and committing fully. Are you channeling 1920s art deco? 1950s pin-up parlor? 1970s disco glam? Pick your decade and own it.

Vintage glam essentials:
• Velvet or tufted furniture
• Ornate mirrors (the more dramatic, the better)
• Crystal or vintage-inspired lighting
• Rich colors like burgundy, emerald, or navy
• Gold or brass fixtures throughout

I designed a 1940s-inspired salon where we went all in on the theme. Stylists wore vintage-inspired uniforms, we played period music, and served champagne in actual glasses (not plastic). The Instagram engagement was insane, and they became the go-to spot for wedding parties.

The modern twist that makes vintage work? Updated comfort and functionality. Vintage-look chairs with ergonomic support. Classic aesthetics with modern tools. Yesterday’s glamour with today’s efficiency.

Also Read: 10 Beautiful Cafe Interior Design Ideas for Small Spaces

Nature-Inspired Green Salon Design

Green salons – and I mean literally filled with plants – create an oasis that makes clients forget they’re sitting with foils on their head. After the pandemic, everyone craves nature, and salons that deliver this are winning.

Biophilic design in salons isn’t just trendy; it actively improves the client experience. Plants clean the air (goodbye, chemical smells), reduce stress, and create natural boundaries between stations.

Creating a green salon sanctuary:
• Living walls or vertical gardens
• Plants at every station (research which handle salon chemicals)
• Natural materials like wood and stone
• Earth-tone color palette
• Natural light supplemented with grow lights

I worked with a salon that partnered with a local plant shop for installation and maintenance. The plants thrived, the partnership brought cross-promotion, and clients started booking “the station with the monstera.” Plants literally became part of their brand.

Have you noticed how everyone looks better surrounded by plants? It’s not imagination – green is universally flattering and creates the perfect backdrop for before-and-after photos.

Compact Small Salon Solutions

Small salons can be mighty salons. My favorite salon is 400 square feet with three stations, and there’s always a wait. Size doesn’t determine success; smart design does.

Small salon success comes from making every inch work harder than a junior stylist on commission. Multi-functional everything, vertical storage, and clever layouts can make tiny spaces feel abundant.

Space-saving solutions that work:
• Wall-mounted stations with fold-down components
• Rolling carts instead of fixed storage
• Mirrors that open for product storage
• Ceiling-mounted hair dryers
• Combination reception/retail displays

The breakthrough came when I realized small salons can charge more. The intimacy and exclusivity of a tiny, well-designed space allows for premium pricing. One 300-square-foot salon charges $200 for haircuts and has a three-week wait.

My favorite small salon hack? Use the same flooring throughout to create visual continuity. Different flooring in different areas makes small spaces feel even smaller.

Monochrome Elegant Salon Styling

Monochrome salons prove that elegant doesn’t mean complicated. Pick your color, explore every shade of it, and create depth through texture rather than rainbow chaos.

Monochrome design in salons creates sophistication through restraint. It’s the design equivalent of wearing all black – always chic, never trying too hard.

Making monochrome magnificent:
• Choose your base color (black, white, gray, or navy work best)
• Layer different shades and tones
• Mix textures obsessively
• Add metallic accents for depth
• Use lighting to create variety

I designed an all-white salon that became famous for its Instagram appeal. Different white textures – glossy tiles, matte walls, marble stations – created visual interest without color. The monochrome palette made clients’ hair colors pop in photos.

IMO, monochrome is the smartest choice for new salons. You can always add color later, but starting neutral means your design won’t date as quickly. 🙂

Also Read: 12 Beautiful Interior Design Living Room Ideas and Chic Styles

Trendy Boho Salon Aesthetic

Boho salons are where free spirits get their hair done while surrounded by macramé and dreams. This style attracts clients who value individuality and stylists who see hair as art.

Creating boho salon vibes means embracing imperfection and personality. Mix patterns, layer textures, and create spaces that feel collected rather than decorated.

Boho elements that work in salons:
• Vintage rugs layered over simple flooring
• Macramé or textile wall hangings
• Mixed furniture from different eras
• Plants in woven baskets
• Warm, layered lighting from multiple sources

The boho salon that inspired me built everything around a vintage Moroccan rug they found at an estate sale. That $200 rug determined the entire color palette and became their signature photo backdrop. Sometimes one perfect piece is all you need.

The challenge with boho? Keeping it clean and professional while maintaining that collected vibe. Solution: designate messy boho areas (waiting area, photo walls) and keep work areas more streamlined.

Making Your Salon Design Work

After exploring these ten salon interior design ideas, here’s the real talk: the best salon design is the one that matches your brand, your clients, and your neighborhood.

I’ve seen minimalist salons fail in warm, family neighborhoods and boho salons flop in corporate districts.

Start by understanding your ideal client. What makes them comfortable? What inspires them? What Instagram aesthetic do they want to be part of? Your design should answer these questions visually before anyone picks up a pair of scissors.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned? Your salon design is marketing that works 24/7. Every photo taken in your space is potential advertising. Every client who feels good in your environment becomes a walking testimonial.

Every design choice either adds to or subtracts from your brand story.

Remember, salon design evolves. Start with a strong foundation and one signature element, then build as you learn what works. The vintage mirror that everyone photographs? Add another.

The plant corner nobody uses? Replace it with retail display.

Your salon’s interior isn’t just about looking good – it’s about creating an environment where transformation happens, where clients feel valued, and where stylists can do their best work. Get the design right, and you’re not just cutting hair; you’re creating experiences that clients will pay premium prices to repeat.

And that’s when your salon goes from service provider to destination. Now stop pinning inspiration and start creating – your future loyal clients are waiting for a space that makes them feel as good as their hair looks. :/