Créer ou reprendre un salon de coiffure est un projet passionnant, mais il nécessite un investissement important, notamment en matière d'équipement. Entre le mobilier, les postes de travail, les bacs de lavage et les accessoires professionnels, il est essentiel d'anticiper son budget afin de démarrer son activité dans les meilleures conditions.
The necessary budget will obviously depend on your project: number of styling stations, salon area, level of quality sought, chosen equipment or degree of customization of the furniture.
Discover the main expense items to plan for equipping your hair salon and better estimate the budget needed for your project.
Why carefully plan your equipment budget?
The layout of a salon is not limited to the aesthetic aspect. The furniture and professional equipment play an essential role in customer comfort, team efficiency and the image of your establishment.
A well-equipped salon allows you to:
- Provide a quality customer experience.
- Optimise the work of hairdressers.
- respect the safety and ergonomics requirements ;
- Enhance the salon's brand image.
- facilitate flow and organisation between the different spaces ;
- invest in furniture suitable for daily professional use.
It is therefore important not to only think in terms of price. Equipment used several hours a day must also be chosen according to its robustness, ergonomics, comfort and suitability for your activity.
The equipment budget must also be distinguished from the overall budget required to open a hair salon. This can also include the premises, the work, plumbing, electricity, product stock, professional equipment, communication or even the initial cash flow.
Essential equipment for a hairdressing salon
Hairdressing Chairs
The armchair is one of the central elements of the salon. It must be comfortable, sturdy and easy to adjust.
Count from €300 excl. VAT per chair, with prices that may vary depending on materials, features and design. Regular discounts are also offered on certain references.
Hair Styling Stations
The hairdressing station structures the workspace. It can include a simple mirror, an LED mirror, a wall-mounted dressing table, or a station with built-in storage.
Count from 150 € excl. VAT, while wall-mounted hairdressers or more complete stations may represent a higher budget.
Shampoo basins
Customer comfort during shampooing is an essential criterion. Modern basins offer better ergonomics and better cervical support.
Plan for between €600 and €3,000 per wash basin depending on the options. (relax, massage, double...)
For a classic salon, you generally need to allow for at least 1 to 2 shampoo bowls.
Reception area
The reception is the first impression left on your customers. An elegant counter and a comfortable waiting area strengthen your professional image.
The budget generally varies between 300 € and 3 000 € depending on the desired layout.
Product exhibition
A wall shelf, a storage unit or a display column allows you to showcase shampoos, treatments, styling products or professional ranges offered for sale.
Some display shelves start at around 150 € excl. VAT.
Carts, stools and accessories
Colour trolleys, stools, footrests, hairdryers, capes, towels and accessories complete the salon layout.
Trolleys start at around 81 € HT, stools around 60 € HT.
What budget should be planned according to the type of salon?
The budget required to equip a hair salon depends primarily on the number of stations and the chosen quality level.
Rather than looking for a single amount, it is more relevant to think according to the configuration of your future establishment.
Small salon or start with controlled budget
For a salon with 1 to 2 stations, by choosing affordable professional furniture, it is possible to start with an equipment budget from a few thousand euros.
This budget may include:
- 1 to 2 hairdressing chairs ;
- 1 shampoo basin ;
- 1 to 2 mirrors or hairdressing stations ;
- a reception desk ;
- some storage;
- a product exhibition space ;
- essential accessories.
This configuration is particularly suitable for a professional working alone, for a first salon or for a small premises.
To limit the initial investment, it is better to prioritise the equipment that is truly essential for the operation of the salon and gradually complete the layout.
Medium-sized salon
For a salon with 3 to 5 stations, the budget naturally increases, as you need to plan for more chairs, styling stations, storage and sometimes several shampoo bowls.
A configuration of this type may, for example, include:
- 3 to 5 hairdressing chairs ;
- 3 to 5 styling stations ;
- 2 shampoo basins ;
- several trolleys and stools ;
- a reception desk ;
- a waiting area ;
- storage units ;
- a space dedicated to resale.
The advantage is that it is possible to gradually compose your salon according to your priorities: start with the essential equipment, then complete with comfort, decoration, or display elements.
It is also necessary to anticipate the circulation between the stations. Furniture adapted to the dimensions of the room allows efficient use of the space without unnecessarily multiplying the equipment.
Premium salon or complete renovation
For a high-end salon, the choice will often fall on more design chairs, relaxing or massaging basins, LED stations, more refined reception furniture and custom storage.
The budget may also increase with furniture customization: coverings, colours, bases, finishes or even comfort equipment.
In this case, the equipment becomes a real differentiation tool and directly contributes to the customer experience.
A massaging basin with leg rest, a customised armchair or an LED hairdresser's mirror do not just meet a functional need: they also help create the salon's atmosphere and strengthen its positioning.
What other expenses to plan for opening a hair salon?
Furniture represents an important part of the investment, but it should not be confused with the total cost of opening a salon.
Depending on your project, other expenses will need to be anticipated.
Works and layout of the premises
If the premises were not previously used as a hair salon, work may be necessary: plumbing for the shampoo basins, electrical installation, lighting, floors, painting or even creating the different spaces.
These expenses can vary greatly depending on the initial state of the premises.
It is therefore preferable to think simultaneously about the layout of the lounge and the choice of furniture in order to avoid costly changes once the work has been completed.
Professional devices
Hair dryers, clippers, shavers, straighteners, curlers and other professional devices must also be included in the budget.
The amount will depend on the services offered and the number of professionals working in the salon.
Starting stock
Shampoos, treatments, colouring products, styling products, consumables and products intended for resale also constitute an investment before opening.
Communication and management tools
Depending on your project, also consider budgeting for your sign, your communication, your website, your POS software or your booking system.
A safety cash flow
Finally, it is wise to keep part of your budget for the first months of operation.
A new salon may need time before reaching its desired level of attendance. It is therefore not advisable to devote the entire budget to furniture and work.
How to optimise your equipment budget?
To properly control your investment, it is advisable to prioritise the most frequently used items daily: chairs, shampoo bowls, styling stations and storage.
The product display must not be neglected, as it can generate complementary sales and quickly make part of the space profitable.
It is also possible to mix economical furniture and more premium pieces in order to create a harmonious salon without exceeding your budget.
Invest more in strategic equipment
Not all equipment necessarily requires the same level of investment.
The armchairs and shampoo basins are used daily and directly contribute to the customer's comfort. It may therefore be wise to allocate a larger portion of the budget to them.
Conversely, some storage units or decorative elements can be chosen from a more affordable range.
Equip your salon gradually
Not everything needs to be bought before opening.
If your business starts with two professionals, it is not necessarily necessary to immediately equip five complete workstations.
Planning the future layout of the salon while gradually purchasing the equipment helps to preserve part of its cash flow.
Take advantage of the clearance
Clearance sales can also help reduce the budget allocated to professional furniture.
Chairs, basins, dressing tables or reception furniture can occasionally be offered at a reduced price, which allows access to certain equipment with a more limited investment.
Request a quote for your project
When you need to equip a complete salon, a quote provides a much more accurate estimate than general ranges.
Number of chairs, basins, hairdressers, reception desk, storage, options and level of customisation: each project is different.
Defining your needs precisely thus makes it possible to establish a budget adapted to your salon rather than starting from a theoretical amount.
FAQ: budget and equipment of a hair salon
What budget to equip a small hair salon?
A small salon with one or two stations can be equipped starting from a few thousand euros by favouring accessible professional furniture. The final amount mainly depends on the chosen chair, the shampoo basin, the styling stations and the reception furniture.
What is the essential furniture to open a hair salon?
The essential equipment is usually hairdressing chairs, shampoo bowls, mirrors or styling stations, trolleys and storage units as well as a reception desk. The number of each piece of equipment will depend on the size of the salon and the number of professionals.
How much does a professional hairdressing chair cost?
At Malys Équipements, the first hairdressing chairs are offered from around €300 excl. VAT. The price may vary depending on the design, upholstery, base, finishes and customization options.
What is the price of a professional shampoo basin?
You generally need to budget between €600 and €3,000 depending on the model and the features chosen. The relaxing, massaging baths, with leg rests or vibromassage represent a higher investment than the standard models.
How many shampoo bowls should be planned in a salon?
A small salon or a professional working alone can start with a single basin. For a salon hosting several hairdressers simultaneously, two basins or more allow better organisation of services.
How to reduce the fit-out budget of a salon?
It is possible to mix different furniture ranges, to prioritise essential equipment, to gradually set up the salon and to take advantage of clearance sale offers. Requesting an overall quote also makes it easier to better anticipate the actual amount of the project.
Properly prepare your budget before opening your salon
The budget to equip a hair salon depends on the number of stations, the desired comfort level and the style sought. Thanks to a wide and accessible offer, Malys Équipements allows professionals to compose their salon according to their needs: chairs, shampoo bowls, hairdressers, reception desks, storage, display shelves and accessories.
Whether you are opening your first salon or want to modernise your space, choosing your equipment well is essential to creating a functional, pleasant and profitable place.
It is therefore not necessary to strive at all costs for an "average budget": the goal is rather to build a budget consistent with the number of positions, your concept and your development objectives.
Need help equipping your hair salon? Malys Équipements supports you in choosing the professional furniture suited to your project and your budget.
Opening a hair salon: what budget to plan for the equipment?