Equipment You Need to Start a Salon

Some of the biggest expenses in starting a new salon, nail salon, or  day spa are supplies. 

Making a comprehensive list of what equipment you  need to start a salon will be a big first step in securing financing for  your salon, or in setting up your cash flow chart. Here is a list of  salon equipment you will need.

SALON STATIONS, CHAIRS, MIRRORS
Stations are the most important place to start when designing your salon  and creating your salon’s budget. Think about the equipment you’ve  worked on, or interview stylists you trust to determine what chairs and  mirrors work best. You may want to consider buying gently used salon  chairs, stations, or mirrors from a closing or closed salon.

SHAMPOO BOWLS
You will need about one shampoo bowl for every three stylists.  Make sure the bowls and chairs you purchase work well together and can  be easily adapted for different clients. Many salon equipment suppliers  sell rubber lips that can be fitted over shampoo bowls to help reduce  the dreaded neck cramp!

DRYERS
Although hood dryers may seem old fashioned, they can be a huge  help. A busy stylist can put one client under the dryer while he or she  starts the next. Hood dryers are also great for updos and other styles  that require setting, as well as for color jobs.

NAILS
Nails are one of the easiest services for a salon to add on, especially if your hair salon does a lot of color work.

PEDICURE CHAIRS
Pedicure chairs with built in foot baths make a nail salon look more professional and relaxing.

MANICURE STATIONS

Kind of obvious, if you’re going to do nails, you need a place to do them.

NAIL POLISH RACKS
An attractive display of nail polish colors is a great way to tempt someone in to a manicure.

SANITATION STATIONS
There are various solutions for keeping your nail equipment  appropriately sanitized. You will want to choose something that keeps  the equipment in view of the client. Clients actually prefer to see nail  equipment being sanitized.

DRYING LAMPS
Having appropriate space to allow your clients to let their  nails dry will prevent frequent free redos for smudged nails. The drying  area will also help create a relaxing environment.