Which Would Be the Best Location for a Beauty Salon?

Choosing the best location for a beauty salon is one of the most important decisions you will make in your journey as a salon owner. A strategically chosen location can determine whether your business thrives with a steady flow of high-quality clients—or struggles to survive despite great services and talent.

Many beauty entrepreneurs get caught up in designing the interior, selecting equipment, hiring staff, and setting prices, but they underestimate the fundamental importance of location. The reality is simple:

A great location makes success easier
A poor location makes success nearly impossible

A beautiful salon interior won’t matter if no one can find you or if your target clients don’t live, shop, or travel near your salon. On the other hand, a well-chosen location can naturally attract clients, build credibility, strengthen your brand positioning, and dramatically increase revenue without spending large amounts on advertising.

So which would be the best location for a beauty salon? Let’s explore the strongest options and how to choose the right one based on your business model, clientele, services, and long-term goals.

Why Location Matters More Than You Think

Location is more than just an address—it is part of your marketing strategy, pricing strategy, and brand identity.

The right location will:

• Attract walk-ins and new clients organically

• Increase referral and word-of-mouth growth

• Support premium pricing and brand prestige

• Increase visibility and public awareness

• Improve client retention and satisfaction

• Reduce marketing and advertising costs

• Help attract talented stylists and employees

• Position your business for long-term growth

The wrong location will:

• Limit walk-ins and reduce visibility

• Make booking clients difficult

• Force you to discount services or lower prices

• Increase advertising expenses and workload

• Result in slower growth and inconsistent revenue

• Damage the overall client experience

In the beauty industry, convenience, perception, and accessibility drive decision-making.

Best Locations for a Beauty Salon (Top Recommended Options)

While there is no single perfect location that fits every business, certain types of spaces consistently perform better for beauty salons. Here are the locations proven to generate the highest success rates:

1. Shopping Centers & Strip Malls

Shopping centers are widely considered the strongest and most profitable location choice for salons.

Why this location works

High visibility from cars and foot traffic
Surrounding businesses attract audiences already in a buying mindset
Convenient parking and easy access
Natural walk-ins and impulse clients
Strong brand awareness from signage
Ability to charge higher prices due to trust and exposure

Best suited for

Full-service salons
Blowout bars
Nail and lash studios
Barbershops
Luxury extension and color salons

Example

A salon located between a café and a fitness studio sees hundreds of potential clients walk by daily. Even without online ads, visibility alone builds demand.

2. Residential Neighborhoods

The closer your salon is to where people live, the more loyal and consistent your clients will be.

Benefits

Easy and stress-free access
Repeat business and long-term loyalty
Word-of-mouth spreads quickly
Family-friendly and community-focused environment
Ideal for recurring services like haircuts, color touch-ups, or extension maintenance

Best for

Family salons
Children’s haircut salons
Barbershops
Color or extension maintenance salons

In residential areas, clients are more likely to rebook out of lifestyle convenience.

3. Downtown or Commercial City Districts

City centers offer access to professionals who value efficiency, quality, and premium services.

Advantages

High foot traffic from workers, shoppers, and tourists
Ideal demographic for high-ticket services
Excellent brand exposure
Fastpaced environment drives demand

Best for

Luxury color & extension salons
Blowout bars
Bridal glam studios
Men’s grooming & barbershops

Why it works

Urban clients are willing to pay more for convenience and reputation.

4. Near Gyms, Spas, Wellness Centers & Beauty-Related Businesses

People who invest in their bodies typically invest in their appearance too.

Benefits

Client base already aligned with beauty spending
Perfect placement for collaboration and cross-marketing
Shared audiences create instant exposure

Best for

Extension specialists
Color transformation studios
Lash & brow salons
Anti-aging, injectables & skincare clinics

Fitness customers walk into your salon already thinking about self-care.

5. Near Colleges & Universities

College campus locations are ideal for trend-focused services and high client turnover.

Advantages

A massive pool of potential clients
Quick word-of-mouth promotion
Fast growth opportunities
Students often seek hair, lashes, brows & color

Best for

Affordable to mid-range pricing salons
Lash, nail, or brow studios
Barbershops

One TikTok transformation can bring hundreds of students to your salon.

6. Salon Suites and Co-Working Beauty Buildings

Perfect for stylists transitioning from renting to full ownership.

Benefits

Low startup cost & minimal financial risk
Freedom to build your brand
Private, intimate experience for clients
Flexible commitment options

Best for

Solo stylists specializing in extensions or color
Lash, brow, PMU, and aesthetics technicians

Great stepping-stone before opening a larger storefront.

How to Choose the Best Location for YOUR Beauty Salon

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The best location is the one that aligns with:

Ask yourself:

Who is my ideal client?
What services are my primary revenue drivers?
Do I depend on walk-ins or online booking?
What pricing level fits my brand?
How fast do I want to grow?
Am I targeting luxury or affordability?

Additional Factors to Evaluate When Choosing a Salon Location

Salon Location Scoring Checklist

Rate each potential location from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent):

A score of 40 or higher = strong location.

Red Flags to Avoid

Low-traffic industrial zones
Second-floor or hidden entrances
Unsafe or poorly lit areas
Tiny or expensive parking lots
Surrounded by declining businesses
Rent too high for realistic return

If you feel unsure—pause and evaluate.

Case Study: How Location Tripled a Salon’s Revenue

A stylist specializing in extensions moved from a small second-floor suite with poor signage to a shopping plaza next to a gym and coffee shop.

Before relocation

Struggling to book new clients
No walk-ins
Clients complaining about parking
Inability to raise prices

After relocating

350% revenue growth in 9 months
Walk-ins weekly
Full appointment books 6–8 weeks ahead
Expanded to 4 stylists
Increased pricing confidently

Nothing changed in skill—only location.

Final Answer: Which Is the Best Location for a Beauty Salon?

The best location for a beauty salon is typically:

A high-traffic, highly visible shopping plaza or commercial strip mall
Surrounded by complementary businesses like gyms, boutiques, and cafés
In an area where your ideal clients live, shop, or work
With easy parking, great signage, and strong safety
Where demographics match your pricing level
With room to grow and expand

The best location is the one that matches your target audience, services, and business goals—not simply the cheapest or closest space.

Next Step: Increase Revenue With High-Value Services

Once you secure the right location, elevate revenue by offering premium services like hair extensions. High-ticket services dramatically increase profit without needing more clients.

Many successful salons choose Cooviphair for:

• Butterfly Wefts

• Tape-Ins

• Hand-Tied & Machine Wefts

• Raw Bundles

• HD Lace Wigs

• Wholesale & private label supply

Premium hair attracts premium clients—and supports premium pricing.

Your dream beauty salon deserves a location that supports growth, confidence, and long-term success. Choose strategically, invest wisely, and watch your business thrive.