How to Choose a Location for a Hair Salon

Opening a hair salon is one of the most exciting and rewarding steps in a beauty professional’s career. Whether you're moving from a home studio, booth rental, or salon suite — or starting entirely from scratch — one thing matters more than anything else when opening your own salon:

Choosing the right location.

Location can determine:

• How many clients you attract

• How much you can charge

• How visible your salon is

• How convenient it is to access

• How successful your business will become

Even the most talented stylist can struggle if their salon is hidden away in a low-traffic area. Meanwhile, a salon that is positioned strategically — even if it’s small — can quickly become fully booked with a waitlist.

So how do you choose the perfect location?
This guide walks you through everything you need to consider, step by step, using real-world examples, industry insights, and business strategy.

Why the Right Location Matters

Opening a salon is more than signing a lease and decorating a space. Your location impacts nearly every aspect of your business.

With a strategic location, you get:

 More walk-in traffic
 Higher client retention
 Brand visibility and credibility
 The ability to charge premium prices
 A steady stream of new clients without paid advertising
 Better convenience and client experience

With the wrong location, you risk:

 High rent with low return
 Low booking volume
 Poor accessibility and frustrated clients
 Slow growth or business failure
 Limitations on service expansion

Choosing your location right from the start saves you time, money, and stress.

Step 1: Define Your Ideal Client (Your Location Depends on Them)

Before you look at buildings, ask:
Who is my target client? Who do I want to serve?

Because your location should match your clientele’s lifestyle, schedule, and spending habits.

If your ideal client is:

The clients you want determine the environment you need.

Example: If your goal is to specialize in luxury blonding and hair extensions, placing your salon near bridal boutiques, high-end gyms, coffee shops, or wealthy residential neighborhoods is strategic.

Step 2: Analyze the Area and Foot Traffic

Foot traffic = free marketing.

A location with strong daily traffic increases:

• Random walk-ins

• Brand awareness

• Referral opportunities

• Social media content visibility (taggable area)

Best spots for high walk-ins:

• Near grocery stores or pharmacies

• Next to gyms

• On busy main streets

• Inside busy shopping centers

• Next to spas, nail salons, tanning salons, or boutiques

• Near medical offices or dental offices where women frequent

How to test foot traffic:

Visit the location at different times: morning, afternoon, night, weekends
Count people passing within 10-minute intervals
Watch parking turnover and business activity in the area
Ask nearby businesses about their customer volume

If the streets are empty at 3 pm and 6 pm, chances are traffic is weak.

Step 3: Evaluate Accessibility & Parking

This is one of the most overlooked but MOST important parts of choosing a salon location. A beautiful salon becomes a burden if clients struggle to park.

Ask yourself:

• Is parking free or paid?

• Is there enough parking during peak hours?

• Is parking close to the door?

• Is the building wheelchair accessible?

• Is the entrance clearly marked?

• Is public transit nearby?

Parking problems equal:

Cancellations
Stressful visits
Lost loyalty
Reduced referrals

Easy parking = happy clients who show up early and return frequently.

Step 4: Study the Local Competition

Competition is not a bad thing — it indicates market demand. But you need to analyze the type and quality of your competitors.

Questions to research:

• How many salons are within a 1-3 mile radius?

• Are they thriving or struggling?

• What services do they specialize in?

• What is missing from the area?

• What are their reviews like?

• What is their pricing structure?

What competition may reveal:

 If lots of salons are thriving → strong demand
 If salons constantly close in the same building → poor business location
 If nearby salons don’t offer extensions or color → opportunity to position yourself as a specialist

Look for gaps in the market — and fill them.

Step 5: Consider Safety & Neighborhood Reputation

Clients prioritize safety when choosing service-based businesses.

Ask:

• Would a client feel comfortable leaving after dark?

• Does the area feel clean and professional?

• Is the building exterior inviting?

• Are there surveillance cameras or security?

• What is the local crime rate?

A location that feels safe improves customer retention and creates a professional brand perception.

Example: A salon located near luxury shops and busy streets feels more trustworthy than one hidden behind an industrial warehouse.

Step 6: Choose the Right Space Size & Layout

Think about how you will use your salon space — now and in the future.

Consider space for:

Workstations
Wash stations
Checkout + retail display area
Waiting area
Storage
Staff break room
Guest bathroom
Content creation space (important for marketing!)
Backbar products & stock
Private room for extensions or treatments

Lighting matters

Natural light is EVERYTHING for:

• Instagram photos

• Client satisfaction

• Color accuracy

A salon with poor lighting is harder to brand and market.

Step 7: Think About Growth & Long-Term Plans

Don’t sign a space you will outgrow in a year.

Ask:

• Will I hire employees?

• Will I add new services (lashes, brows, nails, extensions)?

• Will I eventually want more stations?

• Will I retail hair or beauty products?

• Do I want to host classes or training events?

Plan for the next 2-5 years — not just today.

Step 8: Understand Your Budget & Financial Strategy

Your location must be profitable — not just aesthetically pleasing.

General rule:
Rent should be no more than 10-15% of your target monthly revenue.

Example:
If rent is $2,500/month,
Your salon must make at least $17,000-$25,000 per month.

Don’t forget these additional costs:

• Utilities

• Internet & phone

• Insurance

• Equipment & furniture

• Renovation / plumbing / electrical

• Signage

• Cleaning & maintenance

• Marketing & online booking systems

A cheaper space may cost more long-term if you have to invest in repairs or advertising due to low visibility.

Step 9: Negotiate the Lease Like a Business Owner

Never sign a lease without negotiating. Commercial leases are flexible.

Ask your landlord:

Can I have free rent during build-out?
How long is the lease term?
Can I renew at the same rate?
Are rent increases capped?
Who pays for repairs?
Am I allowed to remodel or paint?
Can I put up exterior signage?

 Hiring a commercial lease attorney is worth the investment.

Step 10: Prioritize Visibility & Signage

Visibility = brand recognition.

Questions to check:

• Can people see the salon from the street?

• Will customers easily find it on GPS?

• Does the building allow window or roadside signage?

• Is the entrance obvious or hidden?

People trust salons that look established and professional.

Best Performing Locations for Hair Salons

Real Example of Salon Success Through Location

A stylist specializing in extensions moved from a private studio to a storefront next to a high-end fitness center and coffee shop.

What changed:

Traffic from women who already invest in self-care
High-value clients willing to pay premium pricing
Walk-ins booking consultations on the spot
Social media geotags increased online visibility

She grew from struggling for clients to being booked 8-12 weeks out — just from location strategy.

Final Checklist Before Choosing Your Salon Location

Ask yourself:

• Does this location align with my target market?

• Is it easy to find, park, and access?

• Will customers feel safe?

• Is the space functional for my services?

• Is the area growing or declining?

• Are there enough potential clients nearby?

• Can I afford rent + additional expenses?

• Can I see my business here long-term?

If the answer is mostly yes, it may be the perfect location.

Conclusion: The Right Location Builds a Successful Salon

Choosing a salon location is not about luck — it’s a strategic business decision. When done correctly, the right location will:

Attract clients naturally
Help you charge higher prices
Improve customer experience
Strengthen your brand reputation
Accelerate business growth
Create long-term stability

Make your salon easy to find, comfortable to visit, and positioned exactly where your ideal clients are.

Next Steps: After Choosing Your Location

Once you secure the right space, you’ll need to focus on:

• Branding & signage

• Interior design

• Online booking setup

• Marketing plan

• Service menu pricing

One of the fastest ways to grow salon revenue is by adding premium-priced services like hair extensions and becoming a specialist.

Many salon owners work with Cooviphair as their trusted supplier for:

Butterfly wefts
Tape-ins
Hand-tied & machine wefts
Raw bundles
HD lace wigs
Wholesale pricing & private label branding

Offering high-quality extensions attracts luxury clients and increases salon revenue rapidly.

Your dream salon begins with the right location — and the right strategy.

Let’s grow your beauty business into something extraordinary.