Ultimate Guide to Designing a Barber Shop Interior

Strong barbershop design starts with a clear vision for how you want your space to look, feel, and function day-to-day. As you open a new shop or refresh your current barbershop interior, you’ll want to think through your aesthetic, your ideal client experience, and how your layout supports how you and your team work.

At Minerva Beauty, we supply the barber chairs, stations, storage, and other barber equipment that bring your barbershop design to life—and we’re here as a trusted resource while you plan. In this guide, we’ll walk through why design matters, popular barbershop aesthetics, color schemes, décor, and storage ideas, small barbershop layout tips, and what to consider when you’re planning a renovation.

Why Good Barber Shop Design is Important

Great haircuts and genuine customer service will always shape your reputation, but the look and feel of your shop influence how people experience it from the moment they walk in. Most new clients decide whether to book before they ever sit in your chair—your barbershop design sets expectations, communicates personality, and shows you care about comfort and professionalism.

Here are a few more reasons why barbershop interior design is important:

• Good design and a strong aesthetic attract customers.
• Your barber shop's design can further demonstrate your branding.
• Well-designed barbershops attract more talent.

Stylish, contemporary barber chairs and equipment give you room to charge premium pricing.

High-quality barber chairs are a long-term investment in client comfort and your brand image

4 Different Barbershop Aesthetics

Most barbershops lean toward a single aesthetic that shapes the mood, style, and client experience. These four timeless looks are a great starting point if you’re planning your barbershop design and want a space that feels personal, professional, and memorable. They also make it easy to put together the perfect equipment package instead of shopping for every individual piece.

Classic & Vintage

Envision a traditional or vintage barber shop with wood grain finishes and classically designed barber stations. While this classic aesthetic pays homage to older-looking barber shops, there are a variety of ways to elevate the traditional aesthetic by adding accents like checkered floors or a new barber pole. Minerva Beauty's barbershop equipment made with reclaimed wood has many eco-friendly options ideal for a classic or vintage barber shop interior.

Industrial

 Industrial style is a popular aesthetic for barber shops. Barber shops in lofts with exposed pipes and stainless-steel finishes have a masculine, industrial feel. You can translate the style into your barber shop by purchasing barber mirrors that have an industrial or reclaimed look to them, and incorporating other stainless steel barber shop equipment.

Modern

Modern barber shops have bold and refreshing colors with clean lines and sleek furniture. When you're shopping for the best barber chairs, you want to make sure you're filling your barber shop with modern, clean pieces that are also timeless. Modern shops also prioritize simplicity and minimalist design principles.

Mid-Century Modern

If a blend between classic and modern is more your shop's style, the mid-century modern ambiance may be for you. Mid-century modern barbershop furniture combines vintage accents with modern pieces. 

Use these popular styles & color schemes as starting points for your barber shop's design

The Best Barbershop Color Schemes

Color plays a big role in how your clients and people feel. In fact, colors can enhance moods if used correctly and paired well.

If your barber shop's logo and branding currently use specific colors, you will want to weave those colors into your shop's overall color scheme. Determining your aesthetic before you choose your color scheme will help you align with your design needs and wants for a more cohesive look. Here are some tried-and-true barbershop color schemes to choose from.

White & Black

If you're going for a modern and minimalist look, you can't go wrong with black and white. This high-contrast pairing is dynamic and versatile, and makes a perfect backdrop for decorative accents.

Bold Neutrals

For mid-century modern barber shops, using strong yet neutral colors like military green, burnt orange, navy, and beige will play well with the aesthetics of mid-century furniture and décor.

Minimalist Neutrals

If you're going for a traditional or classic barber shop, use muted neutral tones like taupe, gray, cream, brown, and greige (a combination of gray and beige). Since these tones are so versatile, you can easily add a bold pop of color like red or blue.

Black & Gray

Different shades of gray and black will add a masculine and edgy feel to your barber shop. If you want to create a moody and distinguished atmosphere, these colors will get you there.

Align Branding with Your Barber Shop Design Ideas

As you design (or redesign) your barber shop, make sure to reinforce your branding throughout the space. Whether that's with a large logo above the reception desk or colorful wall murals and decals, your barbershop's branding should be consistent and apparent throughout.

Use decor thoughtfully to add unique flair to your barbershop interior

Align Branding with Your Barber Shop Design Ideas

As you design (or redesign) your barber shop, make sure to reinforce your branding throughout the space. Whether that's with a large logo above the reception desk or colorful wall murals and decals, your barbershop's branding should be consistent and apparent throughout.

Use decor thoughtfully to add unique flair to your barbershop interior

Use Decor to Give Your Barber Shop Interior Personality

Not sure how you should decorate your barber shop? If you want a cohesive design that aligns with your aesthetic and appeals to your clients, we have some advice on which decor to prioritize. 

Pro Tip: Create a mood board to determine your barbershop aesthetic and color scheme

Here are some accent and decor pieces that will look great in your barber shop:

• Framed Photos – Framed sentimental photos with a personal tie to the barbershop can add personality to your space.
• Artwork – Pieces that match your barbershop aesthetic will give your space a sophisticated look.
• Aesthetically Pleasing Barber Stations – Barber stations that align with your aesthetic can also serve as décor.
• Neon Signs – Neon signs are a great way to reinforce your branding and welcome clients. They also add a unique and modern touch.
• Decorative Mirrors – If your shop's aesthetic is moody, you may be able to decorate with mirrors that include LED lighting.
• Wall Murals – Wall murals are a great way to bring the outside inside, and they can give your shop a truly unique piece of art that draws clients in.
• Wallpaper – There are also creative wallpaper prints and patterns to enhance your wall design. You can use removable peel-and-stick wallpaper panels to create an accent wall, jazz up the restrooms, or add a pop of color behind shelving.
• Bar Cart or Coffee Station – Treat your clients with a drink or coffee with your barber shop's very own bar cart or coffee station. This amenity can also serve as decor!
• Botanicals – Plants come in all shapes and sizes, so they're a great way to add visual interest to any aesthetic. No green thumb? Choose hardy, low-maintenance plants like ivy, bamboo, and succulents, or learn more about using plants to liven up a barber shop or salon.
• Barber Pole – Barber poles have been around for centuries and still have a strong retro design appeal today. You can find barber poles in a range of sizes, with or without illumination.

Optimize Barber Shop Storage

How do you currently store barber essentials? Storage isn't necessarily hidden in every barber shop, which is why it's important to think of your supplies as a design aspect. If you find that your barber shop isn't organized neatly, part of your shop's new design could incorporate more organization and cleanliness to give the space an instant boost. 

Here are some effective storage techniques that are also aesthetically pleasing:

• Floating wall shelves for retail products and towels
• Sleek cabinets
• Barber stations with built-in storage
• Barber trolleys and carts
• Tool holders & organizer trays

Small Barber Shop Design Tips

It's even more important for small barber shops to incorporate smart storage and make the most of every square foot. 

Here are some design ideas to help your small barber shop look its best and operate efficiently:

• Use wall-mounted stations and shelves
• Hang plants from the ceiling to keep surfaces clear
• Invest in mobile (wheeled) barber shop equipment to make your limited space more flexible
• Install wall hooks to keep capes, aprons, and client belongings out of the way
• Hang décor items on the walls above eye level to make the ceiling appear higher
• Choose white or another light color for the walls, ceiling, & flooring
• Use large mirrors to add more depth
• Decorate with one or two large statement pieces rather than lots of smaller decor 

Small barber shops also need to pay extra close attention to lighting (more on that below), which can help create the illusion of a bigger space.

Define a budget, timeline & specific goals before committing to renovation

How to Plan Your Barber Shop Renovations

Whether you have purchased a new space or are planning to renovate your existing barbershop, renovations can help create the best space for your clients and your team. However, full-on renovation may not be necessary for every shop. 

Here are some questions to consider that can help you determine if you need renovations:

• Does my current space and layout work well for my business, staff, and clients?
• Is my floor plan and space conducive to my business growth?
• Are there specific areas of the shop that should be renovated?
• Does my barber shop accurately reflect my business and where it's heading?
• Is my barber shop accessible to guests with disabilities?
• Do we need additional rooms or areas?
• How do these renovations fit into my budget? Should I look into financing options?

Replace worn, mismatched or outdated equipment to project a professional image

Get the Barbershop Lighting Right

One of the most overlooked but important aspects of barbershop design is the lighting. Not only do your barbers need to be able to clearly see while working, but it's also important for clients to see their new style in stellar lighting. 

Here are some ways that you can improve the lighting situation in your barber shop:

• Prioritize natural light by leveraging large windows.
• Replace incandescent bulbs with low-maintenance LED bulbs to improve efficiency and the uniformity of your lighting.
• Use large mirrors to bounce natural light throughout the shop.
• Use warm-temperature lighting in the 3000K-4000K range because it's more flattering for skin.
• Invest in good lighting with a high CRI (Color Rendering Index)to ensure that hair colors look the same in your barber shop as they do in outdoor light.

Pro Tip: If your clientele is active on social media, create a selfie wall or corner that's intentionally designed and lit to make “before and after” photos a snap!

Design the Reception and Waiting Area with Clients in Mind

Reception is the first and last place to make an impression on visitors, so make sure this area isn't cramped or cluttered. This is also where you should prioritize personality in design. 

Decorate the space with artwork that matches your shop's aesthetic, comfortable and sleek furniture in the reception area, retail product station, and a welcoming reception desk. If you have room, adding a drinks station, coat rack, waste basket, and some on-trend books or magazines are great ways to help guests settle in and relax while waiting for their appointment.

Don't Forget the Facade

The look and feel of the outside of your barber shop is just as important as the inside. Could your shop use new signage or a fresh coat of paint? If so, you may want to focus on designing the facade. 

Here are some things to prioritize for the outside of your shop:

• Repaint the exterior with a new, bold color.
• Renovate your barbershop signage.
• Decorate the exterior with chairs, tables, plants, etc.
• Replace weathered windows or doors.
• Hang up signage that showcases promotions, hours of operation, and your services.
• Install sufficient outdoor lighting to improve visibility and security.
• Place a large welcome mat outside the door to make the entrance more inviting.

Be sure to check your city and local zoning district's commercial design regulations to ensure your business stays in compliance.

Creating a design budget ahead of time helps you identify priorities and stick to your profit goals

Create a Barber Shop Design Budget

After you have considered all of your design needs, it's time to create a budget. Of course, redesigning your barber shop can be expensive, but if you create a thorough budget that has room for flexibility, you can achieve everything you desire well within your means. 

Here are some important budget items to include when planning out your expenses:

• The amount of money you feel comfortable spending
• Cost of paint and a painting service
• Lighting costs
• Décor costs
• Cost of purchasing barber supplies and equipment
• Exterior renovations
• Flooring repair or replacement
• Plumbing costs (if adding or moving plumbed-in shampoo systems or barber sinks)
• Barber furniture upgrades

It's also important to consider the timing: when will the renovations take place, and how long do you feel comfortable closing your business if the work can't all be done outside business hours?

Finally: Get Feedback About Your Barbershop Design

Gathering feedback can be very insightful for determining what's most important to your clients and your staff. Feedback can also illuminate any pain points your people may be feeling around the shop, for example, a layout that doesn't allow them to move freely. With this feedback, you can prioritize design initiatives that are most likely to have the biggest impact.

An attractive retail display showcases your barber shop's style and encourages browsing

Why Choose Minerva Beauty?

Planning out all aspects of designing your barber shop may feel overwhelming, but we hope we have laid out a helpful guide for you to use. 

Don't forget to leverage Minerva Beauty's blog posts on cool barber station ideas and salon color schemes to help inspire your renovations! And once you know what aesthetic you’re looking for, shop Minerva Beauty for all of your equipment and furniture! We make it easy to put together a cohesive, well-designed shop.