Salon design inspiration: Lara Johnson Lifestyle in Swansea

Wales may not be commonly known for its chic French-style boutique style, but Lara Johnson Lifestyle salon in Swansea is changing all that.

The owners of the salon, husband and wife Dom Capel and Lara Johnson, has a very clear vision for their décor and design. This, of course, is key to creating a salon that looks and feels exactly as you planned, and will hopefully be able to live up to the demands and expectations of your target clientele.

Lara Johnson Lifestyle is a mix of French boutique and luxurious gentlemen’s club, in a design that the owners say was intended to be completely different from the simplistic décor and clean lines of many contemporary salons.

In a feat of extraordinary planning, the couple managed to transform a huge three-storey building into a salon that somehow feels cosy and welcoming, as well as having just a splash of European sophistication. Johnson says:

“We wanted to create an ambience unmatched in Wales and give it the same feel as our home,”

Lara Johnson Lifestyle features soft, warm-looking wooden floors throughout, Barber station,  beautiful and ornate feature mirrors (which also add a splash of colour), and alternating designs of salon chairs on each floor.

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Making the necessary improvements to your salon

There is nothing more rewarding than knowing that you are onto a winner when it comes to a salon. There are many different hair and beauty salons up and down the country who are competing against each other. In order to make sure that you are ahead of the competition, you need to make sure that your salon is to an appropriate standard and able to meet the demands of your clientele.

The beauty and hair industry are all related to the fashion industry, so you need to make sure that you are ahead of the trends and know what is to be expected from a fashionable hair cut.

As well as knowing what your clients will want from your salon, you also need to make sure that you have a sufficient amount of furniture within your salon. Salon furniture is readily available and can be installed into any salon very quickly. Whether you are looking for styling units, salon chairs or a new reception desk, you should find everything that you are looking for. There are different styles of salon furniture so you should be able to find furniture that fits in with the current decor of the salon.

Read our next blog : Designing a salon to suit your client’s needs

Planning a reception area

For any salon or beauty spa, the appearance of the reception area is of crucial importance. This is because this space is your first chance to make the right impression on the client, to really let them know what your salon is all about.  What’s more, many salons are designed so that the reception area can be seen from the street, so you can use attractive, eye-catching décor to entice customers inside.

So what makes a good reception area?

The overall principles to bear in mind when designing a salon reception area are comfort, colour and style. Remember that this is a place where clients will be waiting for appointments, so you need to offer them comfortable seating and plenty to look at and read.

Attention to detail is also important, as your waiting clients will often have ample time to observe your décor in minute detail. Even the smallest aspects like a fresh vase of flowers or the very latest style magazines will impress, whilst others like a cracked tile or cobwebbed corner will not.

The reception desk

This piece of salon furniture is extremely important, as it is a focal point and the center of activity in the reception area. Whether you opt for sleek, classic design or bold and bright; always ensure your reception desk is clean, uncluttered and staffed by a friendly, smiling face.