Every space matters in your salon. From the moment clients walk in the door, they’re forming an impression. You want to leave them with the most favorable one possible. To do that, every public-facing area of your salon should be both aesthetically pleasing and smoothly operational.
One area requiring creativity and function is the shampoo back bar. It should be easy for stylists to access products while also tying in visually with the rest of your space.
If you’d like to revamp it, you’ll appreciate these salon shampoo back bar ideas. Keep reading to learn why this spot is one to optimize, what essentials are needed, and how to start designing yours today.
Why Care About the Salon Back Bar?
Your shampoo back bar contributes to the entire vibe and vision of your salon. Ensuring it’s well-designed can support the experience.
Customers will appreciate the effort when this area is clean, neat, and stylish. If it’s messy and cluttered, it may lower clients’ overall perceptions of the salon. They may equate this to poor organization or a disregard for presentation.
Those aren’t reactions you want people to have. It could impact their loyalty and frequency of visits.
The function of the shampoo back bar shouldn’t be an afterthought. It also needs attention to ensure it’s a workable space for employees. If they can’t find the products they want to use, it can be frustrating. It can also impact productivity, so customers wait longer.
You’ll want to make your salon back bar harmonious, usable, and appealing to avoid these negative consequences.
RELATED ARTICLE: How to Use Your Salon Square Footage for Maximum Revenue
The Essentials of Shampoo Back Bar Design
What types of salon equipment, products, and structure does a shampoo back bar design need to consider?
Every salon is unique, as is the salon staff. However, there are some essentials every shampoo area should include.
Each of the following components should support practicality, accessibility, ergonomics, and overall experience for stylists and guests:
- Shampoo chairs: These should be modern and comfortable. Consider the amount of space you have when choosing shampoo chairs. The right style is within budget, provides a relaxing experience, and fits your current décor.
- Sinks: A shampoo bowl is another must-have, and there are many options available. You can opt for a shampoo system consisting of the chair and sink in one unit. There are also material considerations. Most are porcelain or ceramic. If buying chairs and bowls separately, make sure they’ll work together.
- Product storage: Cabinetry in the shampoo back bar provides a space for storing product supplies. Maximize the area you have by either going high or wide with the cabinetry. Keeping units here lets everyone know where they are, so it should eliminate the challenges of hunting for inventory.
- Product display: The shampoo back bar will also have products open and in use. Ensuring it’s tidy and products are visible will create a good impression for guests. Showcasing product may prompt them to want to learn more about shampoos, conditioners, and treatments. It also ensures that stylists have what they need to do the job.
- Lighting: The lighting you choose should have two objectives. First, it should increase visibility for stylists in the shampoo area. Second, it should fit in with the style of your salon.
- Decorative pieces: Depending on the theme of your salon and the size of the space, you can add design touches that complement it. For example, a beach-inspired salon could include some decorative seashells. An elegant Parisian theme might benefit from fresh or silk florals.
Whether your back bar is large or small, choosing the right furnishings and decor determines how useful and attractive the space is.
FROM ONE OF OUR PARTNERS: 8 Salon Ideas for Small Spaces
7 Salon Shampoo Back Bar Ideas
Creating any space in your salon should be a mix of style and function. Are you revamping your space? Maybe you’re starting from scratch. Either way, get inspired by these shampoo back bar ideas.
1. Glam and Dazzle
Clients want a high-end experience at your salon, and the shampoo back bar can exude this, too, with a few sophisticated touches.
Some design ideas to capture opulence and luxury include the following:
- Chandelier lighting
- Sleek leather shampoo chairs
- Sparkling backsplash tile
- Decorative candleholders
- Countertop shelving with bling to hold products
- Crystal-look handles and knobs
2. Rustic and Whimsical
Another option for a salon shampoo back bar is farmhouse chic. Faux farmhouse is a trend that incorporates feelings of nostalgic Americana. Weathered wood, metal, and vintage details bring this look to life.
A wall of exposed brick or shiplap wood panels sets the tone, while lighting with a weathered finish adds whimsy. Leather chairs are also appropriate for this theme, but browns or grays may be better than black.
Cabinetry incorporating metal and reclaimed wood would also set the tone for this space. Finish it off with iron, brass, or copper containers for products.
3. Bright and Bold
Give your shampoo back bar a modern feel by going bright and bold. It starts with a vivid wall color or wallpaper with a contemporary pattern.
Bright glossy cabinetry may also be an option, but don’t go too far. It may be overstimulating for guests. The hues of the cabinet should blend with what’s on the walls. If you want to add something more eye-catching, choose unique hardware.
Chairs could have colorful armrests. For product presentation, choose a few with packaging that fits the color scheme, if possible. If it’s a small space, ensure that everything flows and isn’t overbearing.
4. Serene and Peaceful
Many guests come to your salon for a relaxing experience. They want to be pampered and have a few hours to unplug from their hectic daily lives. Your salon shampoo back bar can be a serene place that contributes to this environment.
Comfort will be critical in the chairs you select. The look is important, but don’t compromise on beautiful chairs that are uncomfortable. Look for chairs with lumbar support and extra padding.
Ensure lighting is soft but not so dim that stylists have trouble clearly seeing what they’re doing.
Pastels or light colors on the walls will capture this mood. Product displays should be neat and aligned to create the ultimate serenity for guests.
5. Ornate and Lavish
A shampoo back bar design can also be elaborate and opulent. The difference between this and the glam look is that it has more color and texture. It embraces maximalism while maintaining functionality.
Start with textured wallpaper that evokes the Baroque era. Choose oversized chairs in a dark gem color that complements the design on the walls.
Cabinetry can be dark, sleek wood, or richly colored, but upgrade the hardware to something intricate and ornamental.
For lighting, choose something that has adornments but also provides enough light for stylists. Clusters of glass spheres or hanging handblown pendant lamps at varied heights are good options.
Additional touches to create this theme include:
- Tassels tied to cabinet hardware
- Embroidered or velvet pillows
- Large glass vases filled with bountiful faux flowers
6. Shapes and Abstract Details
If you’d like to keep the shampoo back bar space simple and clean, focus on shapes. Hexagons and octagons are popular right now in home décor, and you could use them for a backsplash, flooring, and free-floating shelves.
White walls are a good option for this style. Just make sure you use high-quality paint. Abstract art can add some visual interest for guests.
Cabinetry could also be white or light wood. Finish it off with geometric overhead lights and modern art on the shelves between products.
The key is balance. If your flooring is busy and patterned, your walls shouldn’t be. If you have walls filled with striking art, keep the paint behind them simple.
7. Industrial and Exposed
If the theme of your design is an industrial look, you can carry this over to the shampoo area. Leave pipes exposed, and consider a brick-like backsplash.
Incorporate lots of metal touches in lighting, shelving, and seating. Add a splash of color with art on the walls, but keep other colors metallic and neutral.
Go with black chairs and shampoo bowls to create a seamless space. Shelving should be metal and glass, and all pieces should be straight-edged rather than curved.
How You Can Start Designing Your Salon Back Bar Right Now
Feeling inspired by these salon shampoo back bar ideas? It’s time to start designing.
- Start a Pinterest board of ideas based on the design direction you’d like to follow.
- Take inventory of what your salon already has for the back bar area and how you might incorporate it into a new space.
- Determine your budget for the back bar revamp so you can plan accordingly.
- Get feedback from staff on what works for them in this area and what doesn’t.
- Measure the back bar area accurately to ensure the cabinets and equipment you purchase will fit.
- Put yourself in a guest’s shoes to incorporate their perspective in your design.
