As a salon owner, you already know how vitally important it is to choose just the right styling chairs for your establishment. You want your customers to have a comfortable and memorable experience, you want your stylists to be able to work effectively and efficiently, and you want to make sure that your chairs are a good reflection of your salon’s overall aesthetic.
So, how do you go about finding salon chairs that offer the comfort, quality, and style that you need while still being affordable? This article will answer those questions and more. Think of it as your one-stop guide to all the things to look for in a salon chair.
How to Choose a Salon Chair
Whether you’re looking to purchase salon chairs for a new hair studio or you’re refurbishing an existing salon, you’ll want to make sure you consider your best hair styling chair options when it comes to durability, size, comfort, utility, design, and cost.
Durability Matters
When it comes to durability, you want to make sure you take two factors into consideration: what the base of the chair is made of and what fabric covers the chair.
You’re purchasing a piece of furniture that has to stand up to a lot. Not only will people of all sizes and weights be sitting in it for as many as eight or more hours a day, but it’s going to have to hold up to a constant barrage of falling hair and all of the hair coloring and styling products that will, over time, be sprayed, spilled, and otherwise make contact with the chair’s covering. If you want your chairs to last a long time, you have to choose materials that are strong and easily cleaned.
For the base, look for options that provide stability and are easy to maintain. You can find specially coated bases that hide the wear and tear of daily use. Chrome is a popular choice for the metal portions as it’s forgiving of scratches and dents if properly protected and cleaned regularly. For the chair’s upholstery, stay away from porous or textured fabrics that clipped hairs can impale and that hair products are apt to stain. Go with a slick material like vinyl that is easily wiped clean and won’t require a lot of extra conditioning. You might want to opt for an additional protective coating to make cleaning easier and maintain the integrity of the fabric.
Size and Space Matters
When choosing the most suitable salon chairs, pay particular attention to the space they will occupy. Too many chairs crammed together in tight spaces not only create a feeling of chaos and clutter but can also cause a workplace hazard. Look at local regulations to see if there are spacing standards that must be adhered to when it comes to providing ample workspace for each stylist and safe zones for patrons.
A best practice is to measure the circumference of each workstation and then choose chairs that fit easily in the space, allow for both stylists and customers to move freely, and create an open, clean, and welcoming atmosphere.
Client Comfort Matters
Ergonomics — the science of designing and arranging things people use with safety and efficiency in mind — plays a role in workplace furniture design and is especially important when considering salon chairs. Clients often spend hours seated in the salon, and you want to make sure they are both comfortable and taken care of during their visit. An uncomfortable experience with a salon chair could even cause a customer to forego a return visit. After all, one of the reasons people go to salons is to be pampered.
If possible, headrests and footrests should be adjustable to accommodate all heights, and seats and backrests should be well-padded and conform to the natural contours of the client’s body. It’s also important that the client feels secure in the seat so make sure the base is solid and that the surface it sits on is level so the chair doesn’t wobble.
Work Friendly Matters
Hair stylists spend all day on their feet in an enclosed area working with potentially dangerous items like sharp scissors, hot equipment — such as blow dryers, curling irons, and hair straighteners — and hair processing chemicals that must be handled carefully. It’s important that the chairs you choose promote a safe environment for both the stylists and the patrons they are serving.
When shopping for salon chairs, make sure the hydraulic pumps that lift the chairs are well-made. The stylist must be able to raise and lower the height of the chair easily. It’s also important that the chair is stable and stays locked in place. It should swivel fluidly in a balanced and safe manner.
Enhancing Salon Decor Matters
The hair stylists’ chairs you choose will play an important role in the overall look and feel of your salon, so it’s important to think about the big-picture aesthetic when choosing your chairs. Function is important, but so is form. Try to pick salon chairs that work with your decor. Since you’re investing in quality chairs that should last for years, consider going with neutral color upholstery options so you can add accents to blend with your current salon colors and, importantly, won’t have to reupholster the chairs should you decide to do a salon makeover in the coming years.
Budget Matters
While you don’t want to skimp on quality, you also need to take cost into account. Having the right chairs that are safe, functional, and attractive is of paramount importance. This is an investment in your salon’s professional image. If you don’t have the funds to pay for the quality chairs up front, you’re in luck. You can find a reputable supplier that offers financing options, allowing you to move forward with your must-have selection.
Reliability Matters
When looking at the best-rated salon chairs, an important distinguishing aspect is going to be the reputation of the manufacturer and how committed they are to customer service. Look for chairs that come with a solid manufacturer’s warranty and a supplier that is known for providing good customer service. Look into the different extended warranty options that may be offered. Often, the peace of mind that comes with knowing your salon chair investment is protected should unforeseen circumstances occur is well worth the price of the additional coverage.
Form Meets Function With DIR Salon Chairs
Even though there are a number of things to look for in a salon chair, finding the perfect quality salon chair for sale doesn’t have to be an overwhelming endeavor. Finding chairs that adhere to your requirements for form, function, utility, space, and comfort is possible with a little planning and help from high-quality salon furniture suppliers like DIR Salon Furniture.
With the European flair expected from DIR Salon Furniture’s top UK designers and state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, you can be assured that our professional salon chairs, barber chairs, and other salon furniture supplies will fit your needs.
