Your salon’s flooring choice sets the groundwork for your business. It gives your establishment a literal foundation to function on, and your flooring choices also affect different aspects of your staff’s work conditions and the salon’s aesthetics.
Choosing the right flooring for your salon is an integral part of creating the perfect ambiance for your clients and an efficient workspace for your team. Once you have the proper groundwork in place, all the other pieces of your salon can come together. Explore how to choose the right flooring for your salon and consider all the essential aspects that can reshape your business.
Understanding Your Needs
Going into the grocery store blind can lead to an overflowing grocery cart and a hefty dent in your budget. Similarly, shopping for your salon’s floors without any prepared insight can steer you away from the right choice.
Before you start shopping for flooring, make a list of your salon’s specific needs. Consider the type of treatments you offer, the traffic your salon gets, and the time you’re willing to invest in maintenance. By identifying your salon’s specific needs, you can choose a floor type that meets your requirements, aligns with the aesthetic of your salon, and keeps your staff and clients safe.
Longevity and Durability
Salon floors endure a lot of traffic, making durability and longevity key factors to consider when choosing the right flooring for your space. A salon floor should withstand the constant comings and goings of clients and staff, as well as the frequent movement of heavy salon equipment. Durability also ensures resistance to stains and spills from hair dyes, nail polishes, and other salon products.
A floor that quickly shows wear and tear could contribute to a run-down appearance, negatively impacting your salon’s image. In contrast, a durable and long-lasting floor maintains its aesthetic appeal over time, reinforcing the high-quality service that clients expect. Investing in a durable floor also makes financial sense in the long run, as it reduces the frequency and cost of repairs or replacements, providing a higher return on investment.
Some popular, durable floor choices include the following options.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl is a popular choice for salon flooring due to its high durability and low maintenance needs. It’s resistant to water and stains, ensuring it stands up well to spills and chemical treatments commonly found in salons. Commercial-grade vinyl flooring can withstand heavy foot traffic and doesn’t show wear as easily. An added advantage is its comfort underfoot, reducing fatigue for staff members on their feet all day.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is another durable and cost-effective option. It mimics the look of hardwood but offers a more robust surface that is resistant to scratches, stains, and dents.
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tiles are extremely durable and resistant to wear and tear. They can withstand high foot traffic and resist water and stain damage. Ceramic tiles are a bit harder underfoot, but their longevity and easy maintenance make them a smart choice for some salons.
Concrete Flooring
Concrete is a highly durable option that can withstand heavy traffic and resist staining. Owners will need to routinely apply sealant to maintain its appearance, but they can polish and stain concrete to achieve a sleek aesthetic that works well in contemporary salon spaces.
A durable flooring option ensures the foundation of your salon is reliable and well-suited for the nature of your business.
Safety Considerations
Your salon’s safety guarantees a comfortable environment for both clients and staff. Your floor choice can heavily influence that safety. Certain flooring can create slippery surfaces—especially in a salon where water and hair products often spill onto the ground—and tripping hazards.
Choosing a slip-resistant floor material can enhance your salon’s safety, preventing injuries and improving work conditions. Vinyl and textured ceramic tiles provide a lot of traction, reducing the risk of falls and injuries. Meanwhile, polished hardwood, ceramic tiles without texture, and certain types of polished concrete can become particularly slippery when wet, increasing risk potential.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Properly maintained floors last longer, retaining their aesthetic appeal and functionality over time. The flooring type you choose affects the amount and type of maintenance you need to undertake. Flooring options such as wood require regular sealing and may need restaining, depending on the wood type. Concrete maintenance involves polishing. Taking care of tiled floors includes periodic sealing and potential regrouting later down the line. Flooring maintenance varies depending on the material type and quality.
Along with the flooring’s upkeep, it’s also important to consider daily maintenance and cleaning. Between the hair trimmings, spilled products and water, and the constant traffic, salons can create a lot of floor mess, making easy-to-clean flooring a must. Materials such as vinyl or ceramic tiles are some of the easiest floors to clean, as they are highly resistant to cleaning chemicals and water damage.
Comfort Qualities
Whether your staff is washing hair or giving clients a blowout, they spend most of their time standing. Long hours on your feet can be tiring and painful, subsequently affecting injuries, motivation, and performance. Certain flooring choices can reduce such discomforts and provide a more comfortable and enjoyable workspace. Soft flooring materials such as cork or carpet tiles can reduce fatigue and provide comfort.
Aesthetic Appeal
The right flooring choice is functional and fashionable. As one of the largest surface areas in your salon, your flooring heavily contributes to the look and feel of the space. Choose a design that aligns with your salon’s style and theme. Wooden flooring adds warmth and elegance, while boldly patterned vinyl can create a fun, modern vibe. Certain flooring types can also give you different design flexibility. You can install wooden floors and tiles in multiple different patterns, from herringbone to basketweave.
Some aesthetic components to consider when choosing your salon’s floor include:
- Texture
- Color
- Pattern flexibility
- Surface shine or dullness
- Accent details
The flooring you choose can set the tone for the rest of your salon’s design, influencing your choice of chairs, lighting, and workstations.
There are many factors to consider when choosing the right flooring for your salon. Whatever flooring you decide lays the groundwork for your business, from the overall aesthetic appeal to the comfort and functionality of the space. No matter your flooring choice, with Keller International as your salon equipment supplier, you can complete your salon space and bring the entire look together from the ground up. Check out our selection of salon equipment and design a space that encapsulates your brand and elevates your services.
