A custom piece of art as part of your salon’s décor can envelope a client in your experience quickly and effectively. A striking piece can cause the viewer to pause and contemplate, and that not only elevates your salon design, but it can evoke an emotion within your client, and give your salon a standout moment that differentiates your salon from all the others in your community.

When it comes to art though, seeing is believing. Take a look at how the following  salons effectively weave an artistic moment into their salon experiences:

At Totalee On the Alley in Beverly Hills, California, a massive Brigitte Bardot mural hangs above the velvety X-shaped sofa, both greeting guests and connecting them with a historically iconic beauty. Owner Lee Rittner says this piece was delicately carved from layers of fresco-style plaster and engraved on the wall.” (Totalee On the Alley was a 2019 Salons of the Year honoree)

With a degree in art, Steve Hightower creates his own installations at his namesake salon in Atlanta, Georgia. At a shoot, he created a wall of colorful hair pieces and extensions, asked the photographer to photograph it and take the image and print it out as wallpaper. Today, that wallpaper playfully frames a station in his color room, while also giving the overall black and white salon a spot of color.

This past year, The Steve Hightower Hair Salon & Day Spa transformed its deck where staff and clients used to enjoy their lunch into an outdoor service area for guests who felt more comfortable getting their hair cut or colored outside. This also gives the salon more space to safely service clients. “I painted the sun screens with colorful flower scenes to give this outdoor space a whimsical touch, and I plan on changing those scenes later this year to keep it intriguing,” Hightower says.

In Miami, Jaxson Maximus caters to the well-groomed man. Owners Madison and Christian Boehm commissioned local artist Claudio Picasso to recreate the 1965 James Bond Thunderball album cover in a 15-foot mural that towers over the cutting floor. “We wanted something that combines old and new, so that mean of all ages can feel a connection to our brand,” they said. (Jaxson Maximus was a 2020 Salons of the Year honoree.)

In Knoxville, Tennessee, owner Shane Archer chose the shampoo room as the site for a whimsical piece of art featuring Dolly Parton as hairdresser Truvy in Steel Magnolias. Muralist Jessica Ramsey even worked in Truvy’s famous quote, “I don’t trust anyone that does their own hair, I don’t think it’s normal.” This artistic feature was a favorite at the salon’s former location, so Ramsey was called upon to lovingly recreate it at the new Grow—A Shane Archer Concept.

In Columbus, Ohio, a welcome wall complete with graffiti art and neon lettering is a visual cue reminding guests their visit will transcend physical beauty at the PENZONE’s Salons + Spas’ Polaris location. “The heart design pays homage to our flagship salon concept which has a custom heart artwork on its exterior, and for guests, this wall creates an Instagrammable moment,” says Debbie Penzone, co-owner. (PENZONE’s Salon + Spa in Polaris was a 2020 Salons of the Year honoree.)

In New York, Suite Caroline partnered with Icelandic artist Hrfnhildur Arnardottir (a.k.a. Shoplifter) to bring a colorful signature art installation to the salon as a joyful way of welcoming clients back after the shutdown. Above the shampoo station, a trio of sassy stalactites in Sholifter’s signature medium of rainbow-colored synthetic hair delights clients and encourages them to relax and dream.