Have you been looking around your salon feeling uninspired, or do you have a sudden urge to change your layout or add in new decor to spice up the space? If so, your salon may be outdated, which means it’s not suiting your current goals, growth or the look and feel you want for your space.

Source: Everett Collection

If your salon is outdated, don’t panic. There are both quick fixes and long-term plans that you can set into motion to help update your salon and give it the look you would like.

It’s critical to make sure that your salon looks clean, organized and modern as an outdated salon may cost you clients. Today, clients have many options when it comes to salons they can visit, which means your salon needs to stand out in terms of quality and appeal.

How to Know if Your Salon Is Outdated

Before we look at how you can easily make updates to your salon to give it a more modern look, let’s talk about some of the clear signs that may show your salon is outdated.

1. Salon Equipment Doesn’t Work Like It Used to

Do you find that your salon equipment isn’t working like it did when you first purchased it? If so, it may be a good idea to look into when you bought the equipment and think about whether or not it’s time to replace it with new and modern salon equipment. It’s a good rule of thumb to update salon equipment every 3-5 years, especially salon seating that can become tired and worn in high traffic salons. Your equipment is at the center of your business, which is why it’s important to make sure you are updating it when the time is right.

2. Salon Walls Are Looking Scratched or Messy

When was the last time you applied a fresh coat of paint to your salon’s walls? If you find that your walls aren’t looking crisp, it may be time for a fresh coat of paint.

3. There Are Structural Flaws

Do you find cracks in your salon’s ceiling or are you noticing structural flaws in your space? This may be an indicator that a renovation is needed.

4. Salon Stations Are Damaged

If you find that your salon stations have chips in the finish or are looking dull, this may be a sign that they are outdated. There is a difference between stained and damaged stations, so don’t mistake some hair dye for the end of your salon station.

5. Your Customers Have Complained

Have you had a few customers complain about your services or the experience they have had at your salon? If so, this may be a sign that you need to update your services and your space.

6. You Feel Like You’re Outgrowing Your Space

If your business is growing rapidly, but you feel like your salon is bursting at the seams, this is a clear sign that your salon is outdated.

Source: Stephen R. MacNeil

How to Fix an Outdated Salon

Now that you know what to look for in an outdated salon, you can start figuring out ways to make your salon better suit your growth plans, look better and appeal to your customers more. Whether you need to make all or some of these changes, it’s best to tackle one task at a time to ensure that your business can keep running and so that you don’t get overwhelmed, unless you plan on doing a full salon renovation. You can also look for modern salon designs on Instagram to get inspiration.

Ask Your Customers for Feedback

One of the best ways to get an objective look at your salon’s current state is to ask your customers for feedback. Send out a survey via your email list or ask guests to fill out an interactive survey when they are visiting your salon. You can solicit their feedback on things like the appearance of your salon, the quality of your equipment, the thoroughness of your staff and the relevance of your services offered.

Always leave room for an open-ended response so that clients can share any additional thoughts on your salon. Analyzing this feedback can give you clear sight into which aspects of your salon that you need to update.

Repaint Your Salon

Sometimes, all a salon needs is a fresh coat of paint. As a frame of reference, you should be repainting your salon once every two years. This will help you stay on track of any discoloration, scratches or scuffs that are typical but can contribute to a salon looking outdated.

Update Salon Equipment

While you may only need to replace your equipment once every five or so, staying on top of the quality of your modern salon stations and equipment is critical to maintaining a fresh look and being able to offer high-quality services.

Redecorate Your Salon

Is your salon’s decor a little outdated or cluttered? If so, it may be time to invest in more modern and minimalist decor.

Add Trendy, New Services

Even if your salon doesn’t look outdated, it can be falling behind in terms of the kinds of services you offer. To stay relevant and up to date, make sure your salon is regularly adding on new services.

Set a Budget for Updates

If you are finding that the updates you need to make to your salon are going to add up financially, it is a great idea to create a budget and a timeline for renovations. You want to make sure these updates make sense for your bottom line. For example, if your salon is in need of high quality salon chairs, you will want to make sure you budget practically for the equipment you absolutely need. Some companies offer financing for salon equipment, so keep that in mind too. Set a timeframe you want to have these updates done by and set a max budget of what you are willing to spend on these renovations.

Whether your salon is in need of one or all of these adjustments, you are now on the right track and being proactive to make sure your business gets the facelift it needs.