Hairdressers & Barbers Lighting Guide & Ideas

If you are looking to open a brand-new salon or give your current business a well-deserved renovation, there’s plenty of interior design factors to consider. Comfortable chairs are a must, along with state-of-the-art sinks, luxurious towels and robes and even a well-equipped coffee station.

Clients visiting you at the salon are not only looking for a new do but also a rare few hours to themselves where they can sit back, relax and be pampered. A visit to the salon is not only an essential service, but an experience, and it is the quality of the time they spend there that will have them return to your salon time and time again in the future.

The Importance of Salon Lighting

Despite all those factors, lighting is one aspect that you should never overlook. The atmosphere provided by how lights are designed, positioned and how that light is distributed can impact how a client will feel about the service provided and their opinion of the salon itself.

Here at Industville, we’ve been fortunate enough to work with some stunning salons, and you may have seen our lights in a parlour near you! Given that the importance of good lighting is mostly underestimated, we have decided to create a helpful guide for owners on the various aspects to consider when it comes to lighting and how it can help to create the optimum environment.

Key Things to Consider When Choosing Salon Lighting

Before you look for the perfect style for your salon, your lights must be functional. Here are some aspects you must consider when choosing salon lighting.

Understand the Colour Rendering Index

One of the most critical traits of modern salon lighting is that it accurately represents and reflects colour. While it’s important that the client looks and feels a million dollars while in the chair, there needs to be an element of accuracy in how the colour will look the minute they step outside. This aspect is vital to ensure customers will trust the beautiful colour you have created and will make them more inclined to choose you again next time.

How well a bulb can render colour is defined by its Colour Rendering Index (CRI), which refers to the ability of a light to present colour accurately. As a general rule, salon-style lighting should have a CRI of 86 or higher. We stock a range of bulbs that are perfect for salons but feel free to contact our sales team for more information.

Brooklyn Glass Dome Pendant - 12 Inch, and Sleek Edison Wall Light - Copper, by Industville (Image supplied by Hair at Hatton @hairathatton)

Flatter Your Customers

While a good CRI is vital, your salon should still seek to show your guests in the best light! Lighting plays a massive role in creating the right ambience in a salon, and what choices you make can transform your interior’s atmosphere.

Most salons will aim for a warm lighting solution which flatters both the appearance of the client and the design elements of the salon. However, if you’re going for a more open and natural style, a cooler lighting arrangement can be made to work!

Bulbs are usually available in a range of temperatures, from very warm to cool. Once you’ve decided on a style for your salon, you may wish to consider experimenting with each end of the spectrum until you find the one that works for your space.

Remove Shadows

How a guest looks and feels in the chair is critical. Creating an environment that is selfie-ready is of paramount importance and will greatly impact what they think about their visit to your salon. However, it’s also vital that your workers can do their best work without any obstructions, and that includes shadows.

One of the best ways you can reduce shadowing is by positioning various light sources on either side of the model. This solution will usually consist of mirror lighting alongside a functional lighting solution throughout the salon.

In this sense, wall lighting such as the Sleek Edison Wall Light is the best option for next-to-chair lighting, while a low-hanging pendant such as the Brooklyn Flat Pendant could be used in central areas for a space-saving yet stylish focal point.

Brooklyn Giant Step Pendant - 18 Inch - Brass, Brooklyn Wire Cage Wall Light - 8 Inch - Pewter - Rose, and Brooklyn Flat Pendant - 15 Inch - Brass, by Industville (Image supplied by Seckington's Hair Salon Northampton by TagElectrical)

More Key Salon Lighting Rules

• Make the most of natural light where possible, but respect the privacy of your clients. No one wants to be exposed to a busy high street.

• Light within the law. While we all love unique fixtures, your lights must comply with UK regulations as this could affect the validity of your insurance.

• Use your space wisely. Smaller salons can use lighting and mirrors in conjunction to create the illusion of more space.

• Use a variety of lighting styles, including a combination of wall and pendant lights, to create a complete lighting design.

• Ensure the primary lighting solution is enough for the task. Your stylists should not need to rely on additional sources of light, such as a lamp, which may result in the interiors seeming cluttered.

Salon & Barber Lighting Design Ideas

So long as you consider the points above, what your salon looks like is entirely up to you. Unlike a traditional retail space, salons need to be emotive, aspirational and connect with their audience, providing a space that feels separated from the world outside. Whether it’s an American diner, run-down warehouse or open naturistic escape, our lights can help to create a wonderful world that your customers will want to visit time and time again!

A Quiet Corner

The design below creates a closed vibe with minimal but effective lighting over the models. Coupled with the exposed brick and beams, this ‘abandoned warehouse’ atmosphere promotes a sense of exclusivity and secrecy to the client.

For this style, retro industrial lighting is perfect. Exposed, metallic lighting helps to sell the raw nature of this salon’s interior, creating a space full of character.

Retro Large Pendant - 17 Inch - Black, by Industville (Image supplied by Rogue Barber)

A Luxurious Finish

The salon interior below is markedly different compared to the one above. However, this just highlights how creative these places can be with their interiors while achieving similar results.

Here, the room is full of light from curtain-covered windows, maintaining privacy but also giving the room a wonderful sense of openness and luxury. Subtle metallic highlights from the seats and our overhead pendants give the salon a premium finish.

Old Factory Pendant - 12 Inch - Pewter & Copper, by Industville (Image supplied by The Watch Factory)

Feels Like Home

An industrial, exposed style doesn’t have to mean cold and distant. The salon below, with white tiled walls and porcelain sinks, transports the client back to their home bathroom. Bright vanity lights add a touch of luxury, while brass highlights add a striking overtone to the space.

Brooklyn Dome Pendant - 13 Inch - Brass, by Industville (Image supplied by Drake of London, Trade Union)

Simple but Effective

Sometimes, it’s the small touches that make all the difference. We love the minimalist style below, with exposed walls played off against subtle and refined black fixtures. Our cage lights are the perfect partner for this design, playing the line between function and luxury with a sense of effortlessness that puts the client front and centre.

Retro Enamel Pendant - 14 Inch - Light Grey, by Industville (Image supplied by Andy Haslam Photography)

Here at Industville, we provide the best-quality salon lighting solutions for an interior that is both practical and decorative. If you have any questions about salon lighting, please do not hesitate to contact our team today, where a member of our knowledgeable and professional staff will be able to help.

If you’re searching for more inspiration, why not check out our social media channels? We post stunning interiors every day on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. Join in the conversation with the hashtag #Industville.