Barber chairs are among the most important items in a hair salon. The right chair will provide customers with a high level of comfort and at the same time make the hairdresser's job easier. So which barber chair should you choose and what should you pay attention to?
Barber chairs are among the most important items in a hair salon. The right chair will provide customers with a high level of comfort and at the same time make the hairdresser’s job easier. So which barber chair should you choose and what should you pay attention to?
Barber chairs – what should you pay attention to?
Barber chairs play an important role in the image of your hair salon. But why should you invest in professional barber chairs instead of standard-quality chairs?
A barber chair is a specialist piece of equipment intended for professional use, designed to let customers feel comfortable for a long time, despite sitting in the same position. In addition, it should also allow the hairdresser easy access from all angles.
So what should you pay attention to when choosing a barber chair? First of all the size. Large chairs might look good, but in a small salon they could significantly limit the working space, making the hairdresser’s job more difficult.
The technical specifications are very important. Barber chairs should be height adjustable, preferably with a durable hydraulic system. Many hairdressers spend long hours standing up, so they should be able to work comfortably without having to bend down and adjust their posture to the client. The hairdresser’s job will be much easier if the barber’s chair is rotatable and can be locked in selected positions.
Another important aspect is the base. Although a mobile barber chair on wheels might seem practical, stability is more important. A heavy square-shaped or circular base will be best, preferably made of a smooth material allowing for easier cleaning.
If possible, test the chair for comfort before you buy it. Also pay attention to the finish quality. A cloth-trimmed chair may not be a good idea in terms of hygiene, while artificial leather or PVC will not absorb liquid and dirt, and will therefore be easy to keep clean.
What else is important when choosing a barber chair? Armrests and leg support will definitely enhance customer comfort. The design should also play a part in your choice. The colour of the upholstery, the shape, the materials used for particular elements – all these aspects influence whether the chair will fit your overall concept or not.
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Salon Chair – 445-550 mm – Black 479.00 €
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Salon Chair – 200 kg – Black 489.00 €
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Salon Chair – black 679.00 €
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Salon Chair – Black 1,079.00 €
Men’s vs. ladies’ barber chairs
Most standard barber chairs will be perfect for both men and women. However, if you run a hair salon only for men or only for women, it may be a good idea to choose chairs which design match your target group.
Although it may seem like a stereotype, men’s barber chairs should be able to withstand more weight. It could also be a good idea to have larger chairs, offering greater comfort for tall customers. If you offer classic barber services, the chair should meet additional requirements compared to standard hairdressing services.
You should be able to tilt it to a reclining position, required for beard trimming or shaving. The footrest should be larger and adjustable. The same applies to the headrest. Preferably you should be able to extend it by 20 or more centimetres.
In theory, barber chairs for women are very similar. Also in this case, the backrest tilt function will be useful, for example for washing or dying hair. Armrests are also very useful, as they will make it much more comfortable for reading a book or magazine during longer treatments. Women often spend much longer at the hairdresser’s than men, so overall comfort is crucial here.
How to choose a kids barber chair
Children require a different approach than adult customers. Having a play corner or preparing small gifts or snacks can make their visit to your hair salon more fun and help them pay attention. This is important, because for some children getting a haircut can be a stressful experience.
The most important aspect, however, is the actual equipment used. A designated kids barber chair can make your job much easier, and can also be safer for children. How does a kids barber chair differ from a standard adults barber chair?
First of all, a kids barber chair should be smaller. This includes the seat itself, although it should also be placed higher than in the case of adults. What else should you pay attention to?
The footrest will increase the comfort for kids during their haircut. Additional safety elements could also help, for example a belt, preventing kids from sliding off the chair. As in the case of a standard barber chair, height adjustment and 360 degrees seat rotation are also important, as well as easy-to-clean artificial leather or PVC.
But what if you rarely have kids in your salon or if the child is too big for a kids barber chair? The best solution here is a special booster seat for children.
It should be of a universal size, allowing it to fit most adult barber chairs. Additional advantages of such booster seats is the possibility to remove the upholstery for cleaning, and they also have an additional piece of material keeping the original chair clean from shoe marks .
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Booster seat
129.00 €95.00 € -
Kid’s Barber Chair – 100 kg – Black
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Salon Chair – 445-550 mm – Matte white
459.00 €419.00 € -
Salon Chair LIVORNO WHITE
559.00 €379.00 €
Cheap barber chairs – are they worth it?
The main advantage of cheap barber chairs is, of course, their price. However, is buying a cheap barber chair a good idea?
It could make sense if you are just starting your business and are on a tight budget. After making some money you can always replace the chair if necessary.
But what are the disadvantages of a cheap barber chair? One risk is that it might be made of low-quality materials. In addition, the range of settings or available functions may be much smaller compared to more expensive models. For example, they may not have an adjustable headrest or reclining function.
However, this doesn’t mean that cheap barber chairs won’t do the job. If you are looking for an economy model, pay attention to the brand. Manufacturers of expensive and renowned barber chairs often offer cheaper options, which are usually much simpler, but still well made.
An advantage of cheap barber chairs is the wide choice. A basic model allowing you to do standard haircuts could even cost less than £200.
Second-hand barber chairs – what should you pay attention to?
An alternative to buying a cheap barber chair could be finding a used one. But before you strike a deal, pay attention to a few important points.
First of all, the condition of the seat. The filling shouldn’t be so worn out that customers will sink into the chair. Chairs in such condition will not be very comfortable. Also have a close look at the material – it should not be ripped or badly scratched. This is important for two reasons – first of all it will not look good, and secondly it will not be hygienic. Dirt or hair could get into the ripped material and be difficult to remove.
Check the mechanism of the hydraulic system to make sure it works properly. If the chair starts to lower automatically during a haircut, it could be an unpleasant surprise for the customer. This could also risk potential injury when using scissors or a razor, if the customer suddenly moves.
The overall technical condition should be the priority when choosing a used barber chair, but also pay attention to the appearance. Each barber chair should match the other ones in your salon and the overall decor, unless you are going for an eclectic patchwork feel, in which case it could be an advantage. Also retro barber chairs could be an interesting element of interior design.
One more thing worth bearing in mind is transportation. New barber chairs will usually be delivered to you by the manufacturer or distributor. In the case of used chairs transportation will probably be on your side. Considering the dimensions and weight of barber chairs, this could not be as easy as it might seem.
A big advantage of new barber chairs is that everything should work properly, and they will come with a warranty. On the other hand, with a bit of luck, you could come across a real gem, such as a second hand fully adjustable upmarket model at an affordable price.
Summary
The choice of barber chair depends on a number of factors. When looking for the right model, pay attention to both technical and design aspects. Also make sure it suits your target group.
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