Opening a hair or beauty salon has always required major start-up costs, especially when it comes to renting a commercial space. However, over the past few years, more and more entrepreneurs have realized that converting an unused backyard shed into a fully-functioning salon is an innovative way to launch their own business while avoiding pricey overhead expenses.
That plain old garden shed can be turned into a stylish, classy salon space with some smart do-it-yourself repairs and home decor updates. If you compare this to a regular rental store, it can save you tens of thousands of dollars. Read on to learn why running a salon out of a shed is a good idea, how to turn a shed into a salon, and how to make your backyard beauty business look good.
Why Open a Salon in Your Backyard Shed?
Launching your salon out of an existing shed or even building a new shed on your property has many advantages
-
Slash thousands in rent and lease payments. Avoiding costly commercial rent could save you upwards of $2000 per month or more. That’s a massive amount that can be reinvested into your budding business.
-
Lower overhead expenses. The only real costs are the shed itself and operating expenses like electricity and hair products. No need to budget for a janitor, insurance, parking fees and other fees standard for a rental space.
-
Convenience and flexibility. No commute to work, and you can set your own hours based on your schedule and clients. Ease into your launch while still working your day job.
-
Customized to your needs. Decorate and organize your salon shed exactly to your taste and services offered. Add a waiting area, hair washing station, retail displays and more.
-
Privacy. People don’t have to walk past a front window like they would in a storefront on Main Street to get to your backyard shed.
How to Convert a Shed into a Functional Salon
With some creativity and elbow grease even a basic plastic garden shed can be converted into a gorgeous salon oasis. Here are the key steps
Clean It Out
Empty the shed of any tools, furniture or clutter. Do a deep clean sweep of the interior. Identify any repairs needed to the basic structure and flooring.
Insulate the Shed
Install insulation in the walls, floor and ceiling to control temperature. This also helps with soundproofing.
Electrical and Plumbing
Depending on your services, you may need to install wiring for lighting, outlets for appliances like blow dryers, and plumbing for a sink or shower.
Flooring
Replace the shed flooring with attractive laminate, luxury vinyl plank or tile. Choose something comfortable and easy to clean.
Lighting
Good lighting is a must! Install interior lighting plus natural light like windows or skylights.
Ventilation
Add exhaust fans, air conditioning and screened windows for proper airflow.
Style the Space
To make it feel fancy, paint or wallpaper the walls, hang your favorite art, add curtains and upholstered chairs, and add any other personal touches you like.
Salon Equipment
Install essential gear like stations, carts, mirrors, chairs, shampoo bowls, reception furniture and retail displays. Shop secondhand to save!
Design Tips for Your Shed Salon
When renovating your shed into a salon, keep these design tips in mind:
-
Stick to a cohesive color palette for walls, furniture and decor. A crisp, clean look feels more high-end.
-
Incorporate loads of lighting at multiple levels – overhead, mirrors, sconces. Lighting makes spaces feel bigger.
-
Maximize every inch. Use wall-mounted fold-down tables and rolling carts that can be moved around as needed.
-
Comfortable yet durable flooring like luxury vinyl plank can mimic wood or tile for a fraction of the cost.
-
Add lots of storage like shelving, cabinets and storage benches to neatly organize product inventory.
-
Install insulation for sound dampening from yard equipment like lawnmowers.
-
Place a rug at the entry to reduce dirt and debris tracked inside.
-
If space allows, add a waiting area with refreshments to pamper clients.
Stock Up On Salon Supplies
Once your salon shed reno is complete, it’s time to outfit it with everything you’ll need to start seeing clients! Be sure to stock up on:
-
Professional haircare products, tools, towels and capes
-
Retail displays for take-home products
-
Reception area accessories – magazines, decor, refreshments
-
High-quality equipment – blow dryers, irons, massage chairs
-
Shampoos, treatments, manicure supplies
-
Disinfectants, gloves and sanitation products
-
Music player, speaker, WiFi, POS system
-
Marketing materials – business cards, signage
With the right renovations and design, your basic backyard shed can become a high-end hair salon oasis for a fraction of standard start-up costs. Get creative, work hard and soon you’ll be running your own salon paradise right from your home.
How to turn a shed into a salon
Before you begin transforming your shed into a salon, there are a few things to consider such as access to your shed, ventilation and electrical/water supply.
How To convert a shed into a salon
Ever since COVID-19 forced many industries including hair and beauty businesses to close their doors to the public during lockdown, many people have become creative in how and where they work. People who cut hair and styled clothes started offering their services by setting up beauty salons in their homes or garden sheds. Even though rules are becoming less important, turning your garden shed into a beauty salon is still very popular.
Before the pandemic, in the 2010s, many freelance stylists turned their sheds into salons when they didn’t have enough room in their homes. This started the salon shed trend. So what’s stopping you? Find out how to convert your shed into a salon today!.
Garden Hair Salon – Jay Studio
FAQ
Can you turn a shed into a salon?
When converting a shed into a salon, most of your time will be spent creating a design and layout for your new structure. To begin, establish a theme for your shed. Whether you like your salon to look modern and classy or rustic and charming, this is what it will be built on.
How profitable is owning a salon?
According to Investopedia, a generally healthy profit margin for small service businesses, such as salons, is around 8.2%.
What is the work of a beauty salon?
Beauty salons are businesses that provide a range of cosmetic services to both regular customers and new prospects. Specialists train in courses specific to hair and beauty and earn specialist certifications to deliver treatments and services to customers.
How much money do you need to own a salon?
The initial cost of opening a hair salon is usually between $30,000 and $100,000 or more, depending on things like rent or lease costs, 11 November 2023
Can a garden shed be a beauty salon?
Hairdressers and stylists began offering their services by creating private salons in their homes or by creating a beauty salon in their garden shed. Despite the world beginning to move away from restriction, turning your garden shed into a beauty salon is still just as popular.
Can you work from home with a beauty shed?
Make working from home work for you with a bespoke garden salon or garden treatment room. Beauty sheds with a 30+ year lifespan.
Do you need a beauty shed?
Whether you are operating a home hair salon, working as a nail technician, providing bespoke beauty treatments, or healing clients with massage and holistic therapies, a beauty shed can provide the perfect space from which to run your business.
What is a garden salon?
A garden salon is a versatile workspace that can be used all year round, regardless of the weather. Our bespoke garden salons and treatment rooms are made from high-performance insulated and weatherproof materials, so you and your clients can stay comfortable even on the coolest days.
What can a beauty shed do for You?
Beauty sheds can also be zoned into multiple smaller spaces, which is ideal for creating a customer waiting area, reception, an office or admin space, or rooms for employees to be able to treat multiple people at once.
Should a shed Salon be easy to access?
You also want access to your shed salon to be as easy as possible for your clients, as some may have mobility issues and the last thing they would want is to have to walk across a muddy garden after their haircut, falling and damaging their pride and new look.