What is the most important thing for stylists when choosing their space?

Toni: Functionality and Practicality are both very important when choosing your space. There are a few questions you want to ask before you start planning.  Is the space ideal for performing all requirements of the job?  Is there good flow throughout the space?  Does the space allow privacy for your clients, if that is important to you?  Is there enough space in the rooms to perform the service? No one wants to feel like they are in a crampy stuffy space. 

Proper ventilation is also a huge consideration for Lash artists, because products like lash lifts and some adhesives can have a fume. 

What about Lighting?

Toni: Great lighting is essential for stylists to perform their job.  Lighting sets a mood. Soft yellow lighting can be more relaxing and spa like, where florescent and bright LED's can make client feel awake. 

We use these lamps at Makeup Mandy because they are weighted at the bottom and roll

So it may be helpful to have different lighting in retail areas versus treatment areas!

Toni: Lighting can really set a tone for the experience.  We
have all walked into department stores and felt turned off by the lighting in the space.  
Lighting is a wonderful little design trick that can even help to sell more product.  Try
throwing up a few spotlights on some of your products you want your clients to notice.

You mentioned privacy earlier, do you feel privacy is important? I have strong feelings about this but I am wondering, as a designer what your thoughts are.

Toni: I feel that privacy is vital for a lash business.  We should create a sense of calm and a private and safe place for clients.  Our clients come into our space and have their eyes closed during their service.  They are trusting us.  They should have a place to put their belongings, private articles which protects them and employees.  
It is also important to take in consideration your client's well being.  Many of your
clients may be taking a day to pamper themselves.  This is a way to relieve some of their
stress.  Other clients may come for social purposes.  As stylists we tend to wear many
hats and one sometimes falls into the therapist category, and not everyone wants to hear
the conversations of others.  Privacy allows each client to have their own personalized
experience. 

Okay, so once we create or select a space how do we go about designed the set up? 

Toni: After you have chose your perfect location and begin to think about the layout of your space, there are a few things to keep in mind.  When setting up any room you want to start  already knowing what you want your end result to be.  Know what you are trying to achieve by creating a vision.  Get clear on what the mood and style is and end with a result that you have planned from the beginning.  As a designer, we use a lot of tools to help us come up with our design before we actually begin jumping in and picking out items we love.

Here is what you should have BEFORE Shopping:

- A list of what we need in the space to perform the job.  Consider furniture and fixtures needed. For example do you need a sink, what type of bed will you use. 

- Create a floor plan, detailing, doors walls and windows

- Create a Mood board. Mood boards set the vibe of the space and ensure everything goes together.  Inspirations images are gathered and selection of furniture and textures are compiled.  You can use an app like Pinterest. Check out our mood board (Here)

When every detail is thought out and planned in advance.  Your finished result is a cohesive well thought out design planned from start to finish.  

How do we go about choosing colors?  Is there a certain number of colors to choose?

Toni: A little tip to remember about color is that all colors will appear different in every room.   This is because lighting is typically different in every space.  If you want your space to be white and more medicinal then you're in luck and won't need to really do this, but if you are someone who wants to add colors its important to think about the type of mood that you want to create.  There is psychology to color and each color will evoke feelings in a person, even if they are not aware of it.  I would not over power a small space with a lot of colors.  I would pick a base color and an accent color.  It's great to create movement around the room and this can be done with pops of color.  This could be something as simple as a white room with gold pops throughout the space.  Creating movement is exciting and it makes your clients eyes move around the room.  This is also great in areas where you want clients to purchase items.  Color is really about preference and styles change constantly.  Just remember if you choose the trendy color of the season you might feel the need to change because its “outdated” sooner than you may like. 

Any tips on creating an organized space?

Toni: Most stylist rooms are small so a great tip is to limit as much surface space as you can, to prevent clutter from piling up.  Round tables in small rooms make the space flow  better.  When in a small space don't place everything on the floor to clutter floor space.  Try to utilize vertical wall storage and other wall mounted fittings to achieve this.

Great tip. I like cabinets and storage that can be closed and hidden. Lately I have been using a "Bra organizer"  To stash all my lash supplies in because it can be covered. What about lighting and furniture, how do we keep an aesthetic but also fit all of our technical equipment?

Toni: There are so many wonderful options for lighting now days.  We are in a small space so it's best to again not utilize so much of our floor space.  Hanging lights can be functional and aesthetically pleasing to the eye.  Many hanging lights can also function as spotlights and direct lighting.  Keep furniture clean and try to have as less as possible in your small space.

What last tips or advice do you have for salon owners or independent stylists when creating their room design plan?

Toni: Don't be tempted to jump into a project straight away.  Before you get into styling you
want to think first about how you need the space to work for you and plan accordingly
so that you get it right the first time.

 
Toni: Mirrors are an ultimate way to add instant glamour to a room and create an illusion of space.  Cabinet doors can be enhanced and customized with subtle mirror detailing.

 
Toni: Adding one accessory that is over sized and out of proportion will make a room far more interesting.  This could also be in the form of a color blocked wall.  

Toni: Bringing the outside in is always a great little design tip to try.  Simply by adding a little plant to the space can do wonders for a space and help to make it come alive.

If you, lash mavens, have any more design related questions please comment below! We would love to see your finish room designs, make sure to tag us in Instagram @LAshXLA #lashroom #lashx!