Whether you’re a hairstylist or a beautician, you want your salon to become a place where customers want to come in and return. And for this, you need to not only offer excellent services but also create a welcoming atmosphere. While the first part depends on your skills and experience, good lighting can achieve the second. But what does it mean? In the article below, we’ll take a closer look at a few interesting salon lighting design ideas perfect for hair and beauty salons.
What Should You Consider When Choosing Salon Lighting?
- Pay attention to the Colour Rendering Index (CRI): The CRI uses numbers from 0 to 100 to show how accurately a light source shows colours in comparison to natural light (daylight has a CRI of 100). Good colour rendering is crucial when it comes to hair or beauty salon lighting because you don’t want your customers to be disappointed with the colour of their hair or nails the moment they step out into the sunlight. As a general rule, salons need a CRI of 86 or higher, especially around workstations.
- Choose the right colour temperature: Colour temperature describes how warm or cool the light emitted by a light bulb or other light source is. Warmer colour temperatures (below 3000K) are the most relaxing and flattering. But cooler colour temperatures (4000K-6000K) are typically considered better for task lighting as they are closer to daylight.
- Salons need varied lighting options: Whether it’s a beauty or hair salon, it’s most likely divided into different sections depending on the treatments and services provided. There’s usually a reception or waiting area as well. Mixing different lighting options to suit the needs of specific parts of your salon is a great way to combine functionality and cosiness that will make both you and your customers happy and comfortable.
- Avoid shadows: Dark corners and shadows can not only take away from the aesthetic appeal of the interior design but can also affect your work. If there’s a shadow on part of your customer’s face or hair, the result may be affected. When choosing salon lighting solutions, prioritise functionality and always make sure that your workstations are well-lit.
- Add layers to your salon lighting design: Layered lighting complements general or ambient light with task and accent lighting. It’s an easy way to create a welcoming and cosy atmosphere, add depth to your space and make it more appealing without sacrificing functionality.
- Complement natural lighting: Letting as much daylight in as possible is a great way to make your salon bright and reduce energy bills at the same time. However, while it can replace ambient lighting on a sunny day, you still need sufficient task lighting. It’s also important to keep in mind that the amount of sunlight available varies throughout the year and even day. It may also be affected by the weather. In short, maximise daylight when possible, but don’t treat it as a constant part of your lighting design.
- Choose functional but decorative lighting fixtures: With so many options available, choosing the right lighting fixtures for your hair salon can be a challenge. From chandeliers to pendant lights and even LED light decorations, you can find products that will not only act as a light source but enhance the beauty of your space with their unique design as well. But there’s one important thing to remember: you should never choose form over function when it comes to lamps. Your lighting should be, first and foremost, practical.
Salon Lighting Ideas
Ambient Lighting
Recessed Lighting
If you want to fill your hair salon with light in an unobtrusive way, recessed lighting is the way to go. Recessed lighting fixtures are installed inside the ceiling, so they do not take up any additional space, which works great in rooms with low ceilings. It’s subtle, versatile and can fit into any design style.
Track Lighting
Salon track lighting is a superb choice for modern and industrial interiors. This type of lighting system consists of a long track or bar with multiple light fixtures attached. Such fixtures are usually adjustable, so you can bring direct light to any area you need and eliminate shadows.
Chandeliers and Pendant Lights
This is definitely a more traditional option, but it doesn’t mean it can only be used in traditional interiors. On the contrary, modern chandeliers come in all shapes, colours and styles and can be a practical yet fun addition to your salon design. It’s also possible to use a pendant light installed directly above a chair or desk as a task light.
Task Lighting
The type of lighting you need depends on the specific tasks performed in your salon. A hairstylist’s workstation differs from that of a makeup artist or a manicurist, so there’s no single solution that will work in every case. Below are two examples to give you an idea of how different task lights can be.
Mirrors With Lights
Whether it’s a fashionable mirror with light bulbs on the frame or a more subtle one with LED strip lighting around the edges, well-lit mirrors are a great option for beauty and hair salons as they provide a lot of direct lighting from every direction, effectively eliminating shadows on your customer’s face. Backlit mirrors (in this case, the light comes from behind the mirror) do not provide enough light to serve this purpose but can become a very eye-catching decor element instead.
Adjustable Lamps
Lamps that can be adjusted to provide bright lighting directly onto the surface you’re working on are a must in a beauty salon. Manicures and skin treatments are only two of many examples that require very good lighting. Both wall-mounted and desk lamps can be a suitable option for this task.
Decorative and Accent Lighting
LED Strip Lights
LED strip lighting is probably the most flexible and versatile lighting option there is. You can highlight specific elements of the interior, backlight mirrors, create decorations or even your own logo or name of your salon. The installation process is easy as well. The biggest advantage of LED strip lights is that you don’t need to plan an entire renovation to add new lighting.
Salon Sconce Lighting
If your walls feel a bit empty or you simply want to add a stylish accent here and there, sconces are an easy way to give your entire salon a makeover. They can create a unique atmosphere and decorate your space, making it more welcoming and comfortable for your customers.
Are LED Light Bulbs a Good Choice for Salon Lighting?
LED lights are more cost-effective, long-lasting, energy-efficient and eco-friendly than incandescent or halogen bulbs, which makes them an excellent choice for both residential and commercial projects! If you’re interested in switching to LED lighting, take a look at our offer to find high-quality and reliable products!