Big salon suites are perfect for multiple hairstylists, barbers, and other beauty professionals working together
Mar 25 2025

How big are most salon suites?

The question of size isn’t easy to answer, no matter how many beauty specialists you ask. Salon suites can range from tiny and booth-like for solo stylists to expansive layouts that can be likened to traditional salons.

But how big are most salon suites? To give you some pointers, a typical space for a single professional averages approximately 150 square feet. The size can vary depending on how many specialists are supposed to work hand in hand and the planning and layout of the building.

Some are designed with standardized suite sizes, while others offer more customizable options. At Optima, we maintain this flexibility so that specialists can choose a space that aligns with their business needs. For example, a stylist specializing in elaborate hair treatments might go big with a roomier suite with dedicated washing and coloring areas, while a nail technician might find a more compact space sufficient.

How big should a salon suite be?

It all boils down to what is convenient for you and your clients. Most nail suites and specialized skincare service spaces are more compact than hair salons. The actual square footage needed is directly related to the number of professionals working there. For any salon suite, there’s a general rule of thumb to provide at least 90 square feet per person.

Here are some calculations to help you evaluate the required salon size based on the number of professionals:

Number of professionals Salon suite size (square feet)
1 90-200
2 180-400
3 270-600
4 360-800
5 450-1,000
6 540-1,200

 

When doing the math, it’s important to calculate the required square footage for:

When you have a big salon suite, you’re better off getting the most from it with the right zoning to create a logical and efficient workflow. Imagine a restaurant kitchen where each station has a specific purpose. Likewise, your suite should have zones for each service.

This will eliminate client confusion and promote a sense of professionalism. Zoning will also help all professionals working together stay organized.

Why and when should you choose a big salon suite?

The space size that will work for you depends on the specifics of your business. If you’re a single stylist who only sees clients for basic services, you may feel comfortable in a smaller suite (like 90 to 120 square feet). However, if you offer treatments galore and have professional companions to serve more clients, you’ll probably need more space.

Still working solo? Think about whether you may want to hire other professionals in the future. If you plan to have a team or work with a partner in the same suite, 90 square feet will give you confined feelings. At the same time, 1,200-1,500 square feet might be too much.

It’s also essential to differentiate between big salon suites and spacious buildings that house them. Even if a building looks enormous from the outside, it doesn’t necessarily mean every suite will be cavernous. It may comprise multiple spaces for rent that are tiny and hard to work around.

Location-wise, suites in urban areas where rental costs are higher tend to be smaller than those in suburban or rural settings.

How big is a salon suite to call it a perfect place?

When choosing a suite size, you should embrace a forward-thinking approach, which may go beyond the basic sizing guidelines and recommendations. As a businessperson, think strategically. The increased square footage provides the opportunity to create a more sophisticated, luxurious, and client-centric environment. Instead of merely dividing space for basic services like styling and washing, it lets you establish distinct zones. They may include:

Simple partitioning is not enough. A larger space is an investment into attracting more clients and generating increased profits. Big salon suites are synonymous with a range of zoning opportunities and benefits you can tailor to your clients, let alone enormous customization potential associated with lighting, decor, and furniture.

What about the client flow and ease of moving inside a suite? They should get to the final spot with no obstacles to overcome and a clear and intuitive path from reception to each service area. It shouldn’t feel like a quest to find and get to the beautician. That’s why it’s a good idea to recreate the client’s journey and check whether your washing stations or styling areas are conveniently located.

Don’t turn a blind eye to storage solutions. They have to be both functional and nice-looking. Using hidden cabinets and custom shelving can maintain an organized and visually appealing environment. If your salon suite is big enough, you can arrange or use the existing storage room.

Lighting is another thing that can either add a premium feel and motivate clients to take hundreds of selfies or make them feel depressed and stressed out. Besides, smart illumination solutions are must-haves for smaller suites to extend the area visually. They can help make people more comfortable when they walk into your space, navigate to their beautician without fear of bumping into objects, and enjoy their time during a beauty procedure.

So, how big are salon suites?

There are no fixed limits for salon suites as there are no limits for beauty businesses and the number of professionals working together. You can achieve success by renting a 90 or 1,200 sq. ft. space. It’s paramount to maintain the balance between the number of clients who can be served at once and the amenities you want to fit into the place.

Balanced working environments and beauty spaces are Optima’s second name. We offer a wide range of suite sizes and customizable layouts so that every nail technician, hairdresser, makeup artist, and lash specialist can find their perfect fit. We invite you to explore our big and compact suites and discover how we can help you create the salon space of your dreams.