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Are you a stylist or beautician who’s been dreaming of the perks of running a salon in-home? Working remotely is now common in many industries, and it’s a genuine option for salon owners, too.
Setting up an at-home beauty salon might be easier than you think, and there are a bunch of benefits – you can set your own hours and prices, focus on the work you enjoy most and create a space that’s just the way you want it. If you’re looking for home beauty salon ideas or wondering how to start a salon business at home, read on for the essentials.
What do I need to start a salon at home?
Starting a home salon means approaching things like a business from the beginning, and you’ll need a few key things in place before seeing your first clients. That includes understanding council requirements, getting your business registered, licensed and insured, setting up a suitable space and buying salon equipment.
Check out these top 11 beauty business ideas to get inspired for your own home salon ideas.
Legal requirements of starting a home salon
There are a few important legal requirements you’ll need to meet before you can open a salon at home. They’re not too demanding and mainly involve registering your business with an ABN, choosing the business structure that’s right for you, gathering the right permits from your local council, and ensuring you meet the relevant health and safety standards for your state or territory.
Business registration
If you’re setting up a salon at home, you are no longer an employee – you’re a business owner, and you’ll need an Australian Business Number (ABN) to operate legally. You can apply for one for free through the Australian Government’s Business Registration Service. Home salons can register under different business structures (sole trader, partnership or company) depending on how you choose to run your business.
If you intend to trade under a name other than your own legal name (e.g. ‘Jane’s Salon’ instead of ‘Jane Doe’), you’ll also need to register your business name. You can do this with the Business Registration Service at the same time as you apply for an ABN. Or, if you’ve already got an ABN, you can register through the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC). Note, there’s a fee to register and to keep your name registered each year ($45 for one year and $104 for three years).
Permits and zoning
Each state and territory in Australia has its own zoning laws, and it’s up to local councils to determine the classification for each area of land (e.g. residential, commercial, industrial) and how it can be used. The Australian Business Licence and Information Service has an online tool that provides relevant information based on your business location and type. Your local council can also confirm whether you can open a salon in your home and if you’ll need permits or licences.
If you’re renting your home, check your rental agreement or ask your agent or landlord to make sure this is okay. And if you’re living in a place with multiple residences, like an apartment building, talk to the owners’ corporation to ensure there aren’t any restrictions.
Ensure compliance with health and safety standards
Every business in Australia is required to provide a safe working environment, and each state and territory has its own work health and safety (WHS) laws and a regulator to enforce them. Key considerations for salons include working practices and use of equipment, using and storing hazardous substances, and maintaining a clean and hygienic workspace. It’s also essential for any business to have an emergency plan and a well-stocked first aid kit.
Look up your state or territory’s WHS regulator to find industry-specific information and guidelines on your obligations. By introducing and maintaining best-practice health and safety standards, you’ll protect yourself and your clients from injury and illness – another important step to ensure the success of your at-home beauty salon.
Design your salon space
You want your home salon to look and feel like a real salon. It should have its own identity and ideally reflect your brand’s aesthetic. Putting some thought into this and creating a space that’s uniquely yours will make it more enjoyable to spend time in, both for you and your clients.
- Choose your space: Pick a room or space with good lighting and where you’ll be comfortable working. If you have family or housemates at home during your work hours, a room with a door or a space that can be screened off provides privacy for your clients.
- Clear clutter: You’ll be working from home, but you don’t want your clients to feel like they’re sitting in a spare room in your house. If there are piles of books, old clothes or unwanted pieces of furniture hanging around, it’s time for them to go to the op shop, or at least into another room.
- Start interior designing: Giving a space a new lick of paint is always a nice idea, so choosing your colour palette can be a good place to start. Lighter shades (think neutrals, whites or pastels) help a smaller room feel more open and airy, while deeper tones bring a bold, moody atmosphere if that’s more your thing. Don’t be afraid to experiment – you can always paint over them if you change your mind. It also helps to plan a layout that clearly separates each task area so the space feels organised and easy to work in. If you’re creating a brand name, logo or business cards, think about how you could align these with the space. Explore more salon interior design ideas.
- Personalise the space: Add a few decorative pieces such as posters, artwork or other well-chosen items to give the room some personality and make it feel like yours. Plants are a great option if you want a minimal look.
- Add practical touches: Installing wall hooks or shelves gives clients a place to leave their belongings while they are taking your service. You might also consider an armchair if you have clients who regularly bring someone with them.
Create a retail display
Selling retail products to your clients can generate additional income. If there’s a brand you already use and love, ask to stock its products, or you could try requesting a few different samples beforehand.
If you decide to stock products, put some thought into creating an attractive display where clients will see them, ideally next to your point of sale (POS). Square Appointments makes it easy to add retail sales when your clients ask how they can maintain their new look at home.
Invest in essential salon equipment
For any salon, at home or not, you’ll need essential equipment and items, such as:
- A comfortable salon chair
- A wet station
- A styling station with a large wall mirror
- Storage space for all your styling products
- Styling tools
- Towels and capes
- Hygiene and sanitation supplies
- A credit card reader for taking card payments
- A POS for selling products and taking other popular payment methods like Afterpay and gift cards
You can invest more in these items if you want to give your clients a premium setup. Another option is to look for good-quality second-hand equipment. It’s a great way to reduce your startup costs, especially on big-ticket items like a salon chair and a wet station. It might even suit your brand if you’re chasing a retro or vintage feel for your home salon. Buying second-hand can also be a good choice if you’d prefer to invest more in top-of-the-line styling tools. You can always upgrade items later once you’re established and can afford to splash out.
Obtain relevant insurances
Even if you never run with scissors, accidents can occur in any home or business. If a client injures themselves while visiting your home salon, there’s a chance you could be legally liable to pay compensation. Public liability insurance will cover you against a claim made by someone who has suffered personal injury or property damage while at your home business. It protects you and your business against financial loss relating to legal fees, medical expenses and any compensation you may be required to pay. Additionally, it shows you’re a responsible business owner who considers the health and safety of your clients.
If you hire staff, you’ll also need workers’ compensation insurance to cover financial hardship due to an accident or illness. Depending on your situation, you may need to consider other forms of insurance as well. The Australian Government’s business website has a helpful overview of the different insurance types.
Build a professional website and social media presence
Establishing an online presence is essential for almost every small business. A well-designed website that reflects your brand helps you reach new clients and showcase your work.
Here’s how to get your website set up and working for your salon:
- Choose a website builder and theme: Square Online lets you build a website for free. It integrates seamlessly with Square Appointments and offers a range of stylish templates. If you’ve already designed your home salon space, consider matching the colour palette or overall aesthetic in your website design.
- Add service details: Include descriptions and prices for each of your services, an online booking function and your contact info. If you’re stocking styling products in your salon, you might want to add an online store so that you can also sell them online.
- Introduce yourself: A page or section with a short bio and your picture is a great way to introduce yourself and share what you’re passionate about.
- Show off your skills: Add photos of your best work and any client testimonials. If you don’t have any testimonials, ask some of your best customers if they can give you one. There’s no better way to sell your salon than through the words of happy customers.
Turn first-time customers into regulars
Once your website’s up, create (and link) your social media. Given the highly aesthetic nature of salon work, Instagram is probably a must, but other platforms like Facebook, TikTok and YouTube also have their own place and are good for different reasons. These platforms can act like a second website, with contact info, links, photos and reviews.
Better still, with Square Appointments, you can add a ‘Book Now’ button directly to your Instagram and Facebook profiles so clients can book directly with you without leaving the app. Meanwhile, TikTok is great for short-form content like beauty tips and tricks, and YouTube is perfect for longer tutorials.
Using more than one platform can show that your business is credible and legitimate, but really, it’s up to you. Whichever ones you choose, keep them updated and post regularly.
Craft your marketing plan
To get people noticing and excited about your salon, you’ll want a marketing plan.
- Plan social media content: Salon work is all about aesthetics, so your social media platforms are a goldmine for content. Allocate some time once a week to plan your posts. Try to come up with a variety of content ideas and tailor what you share to different platforms – photos of your latest and best work on Instagram, short how-to clips on Instagram or TikTok, and long-form tutorials on YouTube. Keep your followers interested and build a connection by mixing things up occasionally with funny videos or behind-the-scenes content. Also consider investing in paid social media ads to reach a wider audience.
- Encourage reviews and referrals: Positive reviews and word-of-mouth referrals also go a long way to bringing in new clients. After all, many people feel unsure about going to a stylist or beautician they’ve never seen before. Asking happy customers to leave you a positive review on Google or Facebook, and getting them to tell their friends about you, is a great way to build trust. As an extra incentive, you might come up with a special offer – a discount for any customer who’s been referred by a friend, as well as for the friend on their next visit.
- Start an email list: Once you’ve got a few clients coming in, you might want to start an email list and ask people to sign up. It keeps customers updated and engaged, and you can use it to send out promotions and special offers. With Square email marketing software, it’s easy to add new contacts, create custom emails for target groups (e.g. new, regular or lapsed clients) and keep track of how people engage with your campaigns.
- Promote locally: Your clients will mostly be local, so why not get your salon noticed in other businesses and community venues? It could be as simple as creating postcards (perhaps with a promotional offer or discount code) and asking cafes, shops and bars if you can leave some on their counters or in their windows. You could even work out an agreement with another business where you each offer discounts to the other’s customers.
- Offer competitive pricing: Home salons may find they have an advantage over traditional salons as living costs continue to rise in Australia. With lower overheads for rent and power, there’s an opportunity for you to offer more competitive pricing than other salons. Lower rates, coupled with professional service, may help you bring in more customers and keep them coming back.
Implement a client loyalty program
If customers love your work, there’s a good chance they’ll return. But it never hurts to offer an extra incentive. Creating a loyalty program rewards your customers for doing business with you. There are various types of loyalty programs, but for beauty services, you’re likely going to be offering rewards for repeat visits and regular customers – for example, a discount or special offer every five or 10 visits, or a free styling or beauty product for a certain number of visits in a year.
Think about what your clients would appreciate, and be creative. Using dedicated software like Square Loyalty can make setting up your loyalty program a breeze and simplify the process of managing and tracking all your offers and rewards.
Set up a seamless appointment system
Most people want the option to make bookings online, whether it’s for a doctor’s appointment or a haircut. Square Appointments is a convenient booking system for clients and makes life easier for you – it allows customers to make a booking at any time of day or night (data shows that 39% of appointments booked with Square Appointments are made between 6 pm and 10 am), and you won’t even have to pick up the phone.
You’ll have access to a digital calendar where you can see all your appointments in one place, without having to input anything manually or risk double-booking yourself. And you can set up automated appointment reminders for your clients to reduce the likelihood of no-shows. With an effortless appointment system in place, you’re free to concentrate on the creative side of running your home salon.
Beyond just managing your bookings, Square Appointments helps you run all the different parts of your beauty salon business. It lets you build client profiles so you know exactly what your customers like and purchase. You’ll be able to manage your team’s bookings, set up custom permissions for them, and track their KPIs and sales targets. And you can integrate your client list with powerful Square Marketing tools. You can even let your best customers help with your word-of-mouth marketing by giving them the chance to buy gift cards as presents for their friends and family. That way, they can spread the news and share the love.
FAQs on how to start a salon business at home
Can I open a salon in my home?
Yes, you can open a salon in your home, as long as it meets your local council rules and any licensing or health requirements. Many beauty professionals run home salons because they offer lower overheads and more flexibility. Before you start, check zoning rules, review any insurance needs and ensure your space can support a safe and comfortable client experience.
What do I need to open a salon at home?
To open a salon at home, you’ll need a suitable space, the equipment for your services, and any licences or council approvals required in your area. Most home salon owners set up a dedicated room that reflects their brand and gives clients privacy. You’ll also need a way to take payments. It helps to set up a professional website, social media and an online booking system so customers can find you easily and schedule appointments.
What beauty businesses can I run from home?
You can run a range of beauty businesses, depending on your skills and local regulations. Common home beauty salon ideas include hairdressing, barbering, makeup, nail services, brow and lash treatments, massage, skin treatments and spray tanning. You may need specific qualifications for some services, so it’s worth checking with your state or territory regulator before you start.
