Salon Design Of The Month: Hair by Chloe Miles

Salon Design Of The Month: Hair by Chloe Miles

My salon journey began after buying our home renovation project last year. The most important thing for me while we were house hunting was that I had a separate space for my hair studio, the garage was a perfect size and separate from the house, so it was an ideal space to convert!

Having the opportunity to do a garage conversion is so underestimated. Since completing the project, so many fellow hairdressers have reached out to me asking about the process, which I’m more than happy to help.

I used to run a salon in Brighton and was there for 11 years up until I had my two children. Then something had to change. A more flexible work-life balance was called for, so for the last 7 years, I have been operating self-employed from home.

I was always scared about working from home (typical ‘old fashioned’ stigma around home salons) as I had only been in salons up to that point. Still, it’s what worked best for me-doing what I absolutely loved but also being there for family commitments. Although it was only until the end of last year, I got this dream set up as we knew our last property wasn’t our forever home.

How did you decide upon the design of your salon?

Anyone that knows me knows I’m in love with interiors, it’s something since lockdown, and in my spare time, I have actually been studying and experimenting. But believe it or not, it’s harder when it’s your own project, especially when you’re offering a space to a wide clientele.

It’s easy to overthink about your design, as I wanted it to appeal to everyone. I wanted to create a calming and inviting salon whilst also giving a high-end luxury feel, making the clients feel totally relaxed as soon as they walked in.

I’m lucky my husband has his own renovation company, @miles_renovations, so it was left in great hands.

Check out the renovation time lapse below!

What are some of your favourite products and tools to use in your salon?

Since completing the studio, I am so happy with the chairs and backwash from The Lotus Westbury range. It’s one of the first things my clients comment on, and they really complement the vibe I was going for! My go-to products in my studio are definitely Matrix, a brand I have been using for over 15 years, and OLAPLEX is also right up there with my favourites.

My clients and I love my Dyson Airwrap and, of course, my beloved ghds for the finished results. I have to say having the Neom diffuser in the salon also is a favourite, as the smell is insane.

How do you stand out from your competitors?

Over the years, I have gotten a lot of feedback from my clients about what THEY want. For a long time, I was indecisive about whether my future goal was to set up a shop salon or a home salon. My feedback pretty much answered all my questions for me; after clients came to a very busy salon for years to see me and probably not having my undivided attention to coming to my home, the majority loved the more private service.

I love that I can offer my clients a 1:1 personal service, also being able to come with a friend or family member and making it an experience together either way from the moment they walk Into the salon. It’s all about them with no other distractions.

 

What do you think makes a successful salon?

I would say 99% of my clientele have all come from word of mouth, which is always such a compliment. Building a good relationship with your clients is so important to me. You always want your clients to feel comfortable around you, and what I love the most is that, In time, they aren’t just your clients. They also become great friends. Of course, always offering the best standard of work, listening to your client’s needs but also being able to steer them in the right direction if need be.

How do you keep up to date with the latest industry trends?

I think no matter how much you love your job, and you can never stop learning. I regularly go on as many courses as possible, and I’m forever researching new trends and products to keep myself up to date.

What advice can you give to others wanting to open a salon?

I would highly recommend just going for it; I think that sometimes people are too much in their comfort zone and are worried about taking risks, but I would advise reaching out to people that have been in your position and have successfully achieved mutual goals as you know their experiences are tried and tested.

What can we expect from your salon business in 2023 and beyond

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