A strong brand identity, evident in your barber shop décor, will attract like-minded clientele
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Barber shops range in design and aesthetic, and today, more distinctive kinds are getting attention as specialty barbers and salons pop up, each with its own unique design and characteristics. A cohesive barbershop design can be a powerful marketing tool to attract new customers.
Are you looking for different barbershop ideas or wanting to get some inspiration for your very own barbershop?
If so, you have come to the right place. Keep reading to explore the designs of modern and aesthetically pleasing barbershops that move beyond the traditional shop while also paying homage to barbering's old-school roots.
The Growing Importance of Barbershop Interior Design & Aesthetics
For men, the barber shop has become much more than just a place to be groomed. In fact, studies show that men think of barber shops as a place to congregate and relax. Barber shops are becoming destinations, adding specialized services that allow men to experience relaxation and pampering, similar to how women feel when they visit salons.
This critical shift is why it is so important to outfit modern, dapper barbershops with sleek barber equipment. When it comes to design, every aspect of the shop needs to be planned out. It's not just about the barber chairs and industrial mirrors. It's also important to consider the color scheme and the actual space where you open your barbershop.
If you're ready to create the ultimate experience for your barber shop and attract more clients, keep reading for some interior design insights that will level up your space and impress your clients, stylists, and barbers.
A classic black-and-white color palette creates a perfect backdrop for vibrant décor accents
Color Schemes & Customer Experience
If you want a sleek, cohesive interior design, you'll need a color scheme. Color schemes help you keep everything uniform and cohesive as you design your space, including barbershop retail displays and equipment purchases.
Your brand and barber shop's colors affect your customers' perception and experience, so it's worth putting some thought into the colors you choose. One important aspect of color psychology in branding is appropriateness - in other words, will your customers feel that your brand and barber shop colors match the services you're offering?
Here are more masculine color schemes perfect for barber shops. Feel free to customize these and mix them around to suit your barber shop's personal style.
- Neutral – If you're going for a relaxed vibe, use earth tones. Choose from deep green, military green, and beige. You can mix and match these colors, including different shades of the same hue.
- Dark – Going for a sharp and sleek-looking barbershop? Prioritize different shades of black. You can also purchase equipment with rich wood hues to create a masculine, modern aesthetic.
- Vibrant – All black everything isn't always the right way to go, especially if you like pops of color. For a more vibrant color scheme, use nostalgia-inducing classic barbershop poles with red and blue tones mixed in with other neutrals. Use the red and blue sparingly as accent colors.
- Monochromatic – Want to paint and decorate your barbershop with a timeless hue? Try the monochromatic look. We love taking deep and light shades of gray to create an interior look that is both classic and modern. The great thing is that with a monochromatic color scheme, you can add pops of color here and there as you desire or to create more emphasis.
Pro Tip: It's worth getting some color samples and experimenting with different combinations and shades until you find the color scheme that feels right for your unique barber shop. Minerva Beauty offers free vinyl swatches for all of our salon and barber chair colors to ensure your barber furnishings match your shop's aesthetic. Contact Minerva's Sales Team to order!
Attractive Barbershop Aesthetics
What vibe are you trying to create with your modern barber shop? There are many different styles to choose from, but only you know what will fit your barbers and clientele best. Here are some of our favorite aesthetics for a barbershop that are both timeless and attractive.
Define your aesthetic to create a cohesive look throughout your barber shop
- Rustic – If your client is the ultimate “man’s man” and loves a plaid flannel and trips up to the family cabin, you may want to go with a masculine rustic look. Rustic barbershops blend deep and dark colors with natural wood. It reminds us of a stylish and modern cabin. If this sounds like your style, explore our Reclaimed Collection of barbershop furnishings.
- Minimalist – Do you love simple lines and minimal colors that still come together to create a visually impactful look? The minimalism trend may be for you. This aesthetic looks clean and is perfect for the barbershop that wants to look streamlined with no frills. Our Designer Series is functional and sleek for barber shops with a refined and modern style..
- Dark and Moody – If you love an all-black-everything aesthetic, a dark and moody design approach might be for you. From black walls and gold accents to dark, glossy tiles and gothic wall art, this elevated barbershop aesthetic will make any client feel like royalty. Mix in some deep purple, burgundy, or green, and use warm lighting to balance and add contrast.
- Old School – Everyone loves the nostalgia that comes with the traditional or old-school barber shop. So if that's especially you, maybe the old school look with vintage-style art prints, antique barbershop décor accents, and plenty of leather is best for your barbershop. You can easily elevate this style to make it more modern with sleek finishes and updated equipment.
- Industrial – If you have a large, open space that almost feels like a warehouse, or your barbershop is located in a loft with many pipes and original fixtures, your shop may easily lend itself to the industrial aesthetic. This aesthetic loves exposed brick, metal finishes, and lofty spaces. Modern and approachable, our Loft collection and Stainless Steel collection have the perfect barbershop equipment for an industrial aesthetic.
Provide a convenient customer experience with user-friendly booking & payment software like Square
Create the Perfect Waiting & Reception Area
Now that we have most of the design basics down, it's time to decide where you will place your waiting and reception areas. No matter what kind of space you have, your waiting area should always be at the front of your barber shop. Don't skimp out on the waiting room by providing a few chairs and walking away. This all-important area should match your barber shop's aesthetic and look just as put-together as the rest of your shop.
This is your guests' first impression of your shop, which is why reception seating needs to be comfortable and unique. Aside from creating comfortable seating, you will want to ensure this area ties in with the other accents in your barbershop for a cohesive look. You will also need a reception area where your guests and clients are greeted.
This area of your barbershop should reflect your aesthetic and make a lasting first impression on your guests. This is also a great spot to put your barbershop retail displays with any products you sell. Make sure to keep this area clean and tidy so that your guests are inclined to relax and browse your product selection.
Barbershop Decor Ideas: Create a Unique Experience with Artwork & Statement Pieces
No matter which aesthetic you choose for your barber shop, you’ll want to add some character to it. We highly suggest selecting some thoughtfully curated artwork that matches your desired aesthetic. Here are some artwork ideas that are perfect for any barber shop.
Thoughtful art & accents help create a unique barber shop experience
- Old School Accents – If you want to pay homage to the traditional barbershop, you can add some character to your space by adding things like a barber pole, framed vintage barber product ads or barber tool patent prints, and vintage-style barber chairs
- Tattoo Accents – If you want to create a tattoo shop vibe with your barber shop, or you just want to dress up the walls with cool artwork, you could always frame tattoo drawings or tattoo-inspired works of art. This will bring an edginess to your space.
- Memorable Accents – Looking to pay homage to your unique barber shop's roots or traditions? If so, you can always add accents that are special to you – for example, your first dollar made framed, a photo of you or a family member's first visit to a barber shop, or the original blueprint for your barber shop.
Arrange Barber Chairs to Maximize Space
Whether you’re working with limited room in your salon or you have all the space in the world, there are many ways to arrange your barber chairs and styling stations so that you can maximize space while also making your barber shop look great. Here are some of our go-to configurations for all spaces.
- Straight Line – If you have a small barbershop and you only plan to fit four or five stations in your space, you could line up your chairs like traditional barbershops do. This will give you a traditional look and feel, and it makes the most sense for smaller spaces.
- Back to Back – Is your barbershop’s waiting room or area always full? If you have a busy barbershop, you may want to think about investing in double-sided styling stations so that you can handle more clients at once. This configuration lends itself well to larger spaces that have a lot of room to move around.
- Wall to Wall – If you would prefer a configuration that is back to back, but not with double-sided stations, you could line up two rows of barber chairs on opposite walls, leaving the center of your barbershop open.
Our barber chair buying guide has more helpful information around chair dimensions and spacing, as well as insights on how to choose the best barber chairs for your money. Make sure your barber stations are arranged so both barbers and clients can easily move through the space, and allow ample room between barber chairs so clients of all sizes feel comfortable, not crowded.
Setting Your Shampoo Area Up for Success
Do you have plans for how you want your barber shop’s shampooing or wet stations to be designed or where you want them to be located? Here are a few ways to situate your wash area that will fit in perfectly with your unique shop layout.
- Shampoo Area – If you would prefer to keep your shampoo stations in a separate area in your shop, you can either create a wash station in the far corner or dedicate an entire room to these services. Having a separate shampoo area can help keep your shop looking dapper and tidy while also relieving any traffic congestion that may happen when your barber shop gets busy. Don’t forget to translate your aesthetic to your shampoo area or room so that your entire shop has a cohesive feel.
- Individual Wet Stations – If your barbershop is lacking space or you’re working with a smaller storefront, you may want to consider having individual wet stations next to each barber chair. This is a great option if you need to maximize your shop space and ensure your barbers are able to offer clients all of your services in a timely manner.
Make sure your wet stations have capes and cape seals, neck rests, and floor mats to keep your customers and barbers comfortable.
Barbershop Storage That Looks Good
When you think about interior design for your barbershop, storage may not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, your shop will most definitely need some kind of storage whether it’s out in the open or tucked away in a storage closet. A tidy and well-organized barber shop is more inviting and comfortable for guests, and much easier to keep clean. Here are some options for barbershop storage that will work with any aesthetic.
Customers may not notice good storage, but they'll notice if it's missing!
- Shelves – If you don’t mind storing things like barber supplies, cutting tools and towels out in the open, you can neatly arrange them on shelves coordinated with your color scheme and aesthetic. Shelves are also a great way to add color into your space and create emphasis. Make sure shelves stay neat and tidy. The last thing you want is for your shelves to look messy and unkempt.
- Storage Closet or Room – If you are going for a more minimalist and modern aesthetic, you may want to keep backstock and rarely used equipment in a separate room or closet. Of course, you will still want to keep this closet organized even though it isn’t in plain sight. Having a designated area for extra towels and hair products helps create a well-equipped but cleaner-looking barbershop.
- Barber Stations – Barber stations with built-in storage are also a great way to provide your stylists with extra room to keep products, tools and towels. Because these stations are out in the open, it would be wise to make sure barber station shelves and drawers stay stocked and organized so your barbers can work efficiently.
- Storage Cabinets – If your shop has extra space for you to thoughtfully place cabinets or shelves on walls without obstructing any paths, adding additional storage could be a great way to boost your salon's organizational potential. Similar to the barber stations, you will want to monitor this area closely so that it stays organized and neat.
When optimizing storage solutions, don’t overlook the restrooms. Use a cabinet, wall shelving or over-the-door organizer to keep extra tissue, hand soap, paper towels and cleaning products on hand.
Final Thoughts on Creating a Unique Barber Shop Experience
- Choose background music that vibes with your aesthetic without distracting
- If you have room, amp up the hospitality factor with a drinks station
- Encourage and respond to reviews to make sure your online reputation looks as good as the shop itself
- If your clientele skews younger, offer a well-lit "selfie station" with an on-brand background so they can capture and share their new style
The sum total of your barber shop design provides an experience, not just a service
If you’re still unsure about which direction to take your barber shop’s look, you can always solicit feedback from your barbers, social media audience or your clients. After all, these people know your space best and may be able to provide you with valuable insight - not to mention it’s a great way to build customer relationships and loyalty.
At the end of the day, your barber shop should be a place that you love to walk into every day, as well as a space that your barbers feel free to express themselves and your clients can’t wait to get back to.
Keep reading: 8 Barber Station Ideas That Are Cool and Functional