Barber Shop Equipment and Decor

By: Scott McBride - Updated: 14 Nov 2017 | *Discuss

 

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The décor of the barber shop can say a lot about the business and have an impact on the type of customers it attracts through the door. Those aiming to provide high quality traditional cuts for men may want a traditional look for the barbers.

Many men’s barbers are still just basic barber chair and mirror set-ups and the look has proved to be an enduring one because that is what a lot of men like and expect. The image is clean, clinical and practical, with straight lines and two-tone colour schemes – typically black and white or red and white to mirror the famous barber pole.

Tiled floors compliment the clinical look and are easy to clean, so are practical too. The barber chair is typically black or red and men looking for a clipper cut, beard trim or short back and sides tend to be comfortable in such an environment.

Followers of Fashion

Those keen to accommodate all fashion cuts may want to create a more upbeat, forward-thinking setting. A modern salon will want a warm and welcoming experience for clients. It is likely to appeal to younger customers and, in general, will be able to charge more for the services provided.

Customers will expect a little more in return, so consider incorporating an Internet café. Instead of well-thumbed magazines, maybe hand-held games consoles can be used to keep waiting customers amused.

Try to create a space that people will enjoy visiting and working in. Remember those competing for the custom of the fashion-conscious will have to attract staff up to the job, so make the shop attractive to employees too. The look is very important, so try to create a defined identity that can be adapted for the other salons at a later date if the business expands. For instance, have a feature wall displaying colourful snowboards – and as an extra bonus, consider selling the snowboards to interested customers.

Budget for Equipment

Barber shop equipment, and in particular the barber chair, can play a key role in creating the barber shop’s image. The customers being targeted and, to a large extent, the budget set aside will dictate which barber shop equipment is chosen. Prices vary tremendously and a barber chair can cost anything from £100 to in excess of £1,000.

Remember that barber scissors and electric clippers are specialist pieces of professional equipment and are priced accordingly. It is easy to spend £100 on a single pair of barber scissors and more than £80 on one set of clippers. Barber workstations should include a large mirror, shelf and - if the barber chair does not have one - a foot rest as a bare minimum. They will cost upwards of £200 each and at least one washpoint – around £500 – is essential.

The cost of creating the right image for the barber shop can quickly tot up, but ongoing running costs for a barber shop are relatively small and so getting the desired look from the outset can be affordable.

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