The holiday season has officially begun, and for beauty professionals, that means it’s almost time to transform your salon space into a magical Winter Wonderland. With everything else going on during this busy time of year, holiday decorating may seem like an afterthought, but here’s why it may be worth the extra effort: Mastering the subtle art of salon merry-making can help your business stand out amongst the competition, enhance your clients’ experience, increase engagement, and drive retail sales.
For the latest tips and tricks on how to decorate like a pro, we tapped two salon owners and holiday enthusiasts for their expert advice—SalonCentric #ItTakesAPro Team Artist Lindsey Summers (@the.blonde.bar) and stylist Wynter DePriest (@monarchhairco). Ahead, discover their top recommendations for making your space feel warm, festive, and reflective of your salon’s personality during the holiday season.
Holiday Decorating Tips With Lindsey Summers and Wynter DePriest
Align your holiday decor with your salon branding
Creating a cohesive holiday aesthetic starts with choosing a theme that complements your salon's branding, says Lindsey Summers, owner of The Blonde Bar Salon in Scottsdale, Arizona. A self-proclaimed “holiday overachiever,” Lindsey shares this advice with fellow salon owners and suite renters:
“To make a space stand out, you need to know what your theme is—I like my theme to go with the branding of my salon. For example, my salon is all blush pink, white, gold, and black, so I like to incorporate those same colors with my decorations,” she explains.
Summers says she has three Christmas trees, each with a unique color scheme that ties into her salon's overall theme. “My main tree is a 9-foot flocked tree with variations of pinks and golds. I have a white pencil tree up front in the retail area that’s black and gold with pink lights, and a small black pencil tree in our bathroom. Yes, I decorate everywhere!”
Instagram/@the.blonde.bar
Start small and build over time
You don’t need to spend your entire holiday budget on decorations. On the contrary, Summers recommends starting with a few basic decorations and adding to your collection every year. “I recommend that you start small and build each year—I still do that to this day,” she says.
Summers says that she began with a single pencil tree and a few small decorations, and gradually added more pieces as the years went on. “Another key piece of advice: Buy early. I purchase my decor starting in August or as soon as it’s available in stores, especially when you’re working with a specific color palette.” She also suggests checking out stores like TJ Maxx, At Home, Hobby Lobby, and Michael’s for unique, budget-friendly decor.
Use holiday decor to promote retail sales
Holiday decor isn’t just for creating a festive ambiance—it can also be a great tool for promoting retail sales at your salon. According to Summers, integrating your retail products into your holiday displays can make them even more eye-catching and festive. “I love using holiday displays to promote products.
Sometimes, I put products in the trees as decorations or create holiday packages to put under the tree as gifts,” she says. Another creative idea she’s trying at her salon this year is called “12 Days of Products,” where each day corresponds to a different product on sale, driving client engagement and holiday sales.
Instagram/@monarchhairco & @jovi.salon.vb
Stay on budget with one or two big statement pieces
When it comes to holiday decor, Wynter DePriest—co-owner of Jovi Salon (@jovi.salon.vb) in Virginia Beach—says that, oftentimes, bigger is better. She suggests focusing on a few statement pieces to make a lasting impression while staying on budget. “A few big showstoppers—like our life-sized nutcrackers or disco ball spiders—make a bigger impact than a ton of small decor options,” she says.
Like Summers, DePriest also recommends planning ahead if you want to find budget-friendly holiday decor and create something memorable for your clients. “Thinking a season ahead is the best way to create impactful and festive decor while staying on budget.”
Use holiday decor to create an experience for your clients
While statement pieces may have a bigger impact, you don’t want to forget about the small details—adding personal touches around the salon can really make your clients feel extra-special during the holidays, according to DePriest.
“Our guests appreciate the little things! We love to use holiday mugs, offer festive drinks—like hot cocoa—add festive lighting, and even switch out the soaps in the bathrooms with holiday-scented soaps to add to the holiday experience,” she says.
Instagram/@salonnvdenton
Bring your decor to life with festive holiday tunes
According to a recent consumer survey by Statista, approximately 30% of holiday shoppers said that holiday music made them want to enter a retail store or stay for longer [1]. “It’s been proven that people tend to spend more and tip more when hearing holiday music,” Summers shares. “Festive music can help get clients in the mood to buy that product they’ve been wanting or stock up on gifts for friends and family.”
Utilize wall decor to maximize floor space
If you’re looking for an affordable way to switch up your salon decor for the holidays, DePriest recommends trying out some wall decor: “Society6 is a great resource for wall decor. They have affordable, extra-cute posters and wall hangings from real artists.” Wall decor is also an excellent option for smaller spaces and for salons looking to save on floor space during the busy season.
Focus on the holiday experience for your clients
Summers and DePriest both agree that, while holiday decorations look great, their purpose goes beyond the festive aesthetic. A beautifully decorated salon can create a magical, immersive experience for your clients during one of the most chaotic times of the year. “I’ve learned that clients are stressed around the holidays just as much as we are,” says Summers. “Using the spirit of the holidays to brighten their day can really go a long way.”
According to these two salon owners, you know you’ve nailed your holiday aesthetic when your clients feel relaxed and excited to return—not just for their usual services, but for the overall holiday experience you’ve curated.
Next Up: How To Retail Holiday Sets From Big Spaces To Small Nooks
Header image credit: Instagram/@salonnvdenton
- Statista. (2024, January 9). Impact of holiday music on consumers’ shopping experience in the U.S. 2023. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1440637/impact-of-holiday-music-in-stores-usa.
