How to choose furniture for your salon

Salon stool: your own stool

The salon stool is the one you sit on yourself all day. Choose comfort first and appearance second. A stool you cannot sit comfortably on for 8 hours is irrelevant no matter how good it looks in pictures—you just discover that too late.

Styling chair: the client's chair

Here, it is not about how high the seat can go, but how far down the chair can be pumped. A styling chair should be able to go down to a seat height of 38 cm; otherwise, taller hairdressers will have problems.

You work at that chair every day, so good ergonomics are not a luxury. Test it yourself: roll your salon stool over to the styling chair and sit right up against it. Can you get close enough? Most chairs handle this just fine, but some designs, especially cheap copies, are angular and prevent you from getting properly close to the client. That ends in shoulder injuries. Simple as that.

Do you have many clients with long hair? Choose a styling chair with a slightly tilted, narrow backrest, so the hair can fall freely instead of lying and curling against the chair. See our full selection of salon stools and styling chairs if you want to compare across brands.

Should you invest in good ergonomics?

In short: yes. It is not a trend from a magazine. Good ergonomics at the styling chair determine whether you will still be able to stand up and cut hair in ten years. Without them, you risk shoulder injuries, which virtually all hairdressers either know from personal experience or know a colleague who has suffered from. Visit a showroom and try lots of chairs before deciding; it is the only way to find out what actually suits your height and working style.

Washing units

The washing unit is where the client relaxes most during the entire visit. Choose one that is comfortable for the client and practical for you to work at, not just the one that looks most expensive in the showroom. Take a look at our washing units if you want to see the selection.

Tool storage

Messy workstations cost time every single day. A spacious trolley solves most of it: scissors, combs and colour within reach, without everything being scattered across the counter.

Mirrors: good quality should be a given

Mirrors are something many people choose to save money on. Let me save you from making a bad purchase. Mirrors that are not made for professional use are perfectly fine in a hallway at home, but they do not work in a salon. When you work at them, you discover that they can make the room look like a fun house at Tivoli. If that is the look you are going for, you are braver than I am—hats off to you.

Sorry for the slightly provocative tone, but hear me out: buy good mirrors the first time. I see it far too often—people end up having to buy them again anyway. Save yourself the bad purchase and take a look at our mirrors with professional-quality glass instead.

Lighting

The right lighting determines whether you can actually see what you are doing when cutting and colouring. Choose light with natural-looking colour rendering (above 90% CRI) and around 3000 kelvin for clear, precise light. Get it wrong, and you will not notice colour errors until the client has gone home.

Waiting area

The waiting area is the first thing a new client sees and the last thing a regular client remembers. It does not need to be large, but it should feel considered. We are seeing more and more people choose ordinary dining tables and chairs instead of classic waiting room furniture, because it feels less like a "waiting room" and more like home.

Colours and style

The colour scheme in your salon is not just about aesthetics; it is part of your brand. Choose a palette you can genuinely stand behind in five years, not just the one that is on trend right now.

Final words

Invest in good ergonomics, period. Saving 500 kr. is completely pointless if shoulder injuries mean you can only manage being a hairdresser for a couple of years. Styling chairs are the most important thing when it comes to ergonomics. When you choose, you should think, "ahh, this is comfortable to stand at." If you tense your shoulders, they are too high for you. If you are unsure, make a day of it: drive around the country with a friend, eat some good food, visit plenty of showrooms, try lots of furniture, and put it on the company card.

P.S.

I may be a little biased when it comes to recommending a visit to us over everyone else, but hear me out: we are proud of our showroom and would love to help you. Book an appointment at our showroom, and do ask for me personally.