7 Soothing Paint Colors for a Relaxing Salon or Spa

A salon or a spa is a space that people visit for relaxation and rejuvenation, so the ambiance of the place matters a lot.

But designing a space that can truly relax and help chill out means considering more than just comfortable furniture.

When you plan to redecorate your salon, the color of the walls is just as important—and the right hues can have a huge impact on the mood of your customers visiting the place.

No matter whether you plan to design a destressing salon, spa, meditation, or yoga room in your home or for your customers, here are some helpful tips and ideas that can inspire without sacrificing style.

Relaxing Paint Colors for a Salon and Spa

A well-planned interior of your salon with a cleaner environment will reassure and attract visitors, again and again, making them visit your salon more often. And one of the easiest ways to do this is by painting the walls with colors that radiate relaxation.

I have therefore created a list of colors that will help you achieve a serene and calming space. So without any delay, let’s get started with it:

1. Soft Blue

I have mentioned it before in my other articles, and it’s worth mentioning here – blue is one of the most popular colors for creating a serene and calming space.

Research has proven that blue is a shade that can help lower blood pressure and heart rate while evoking relaxation.

But while using this shade in your salon make sure you do not use too much blue, too bright, or too dark of colors, as they can do the opposite and foster depression.

Some of the best shades of softer blues that you can try adding to your salon are Aqua, Baby blue, Blue-gray, Sky blue, Powder blue, Moonstone, Columbia blue, Carolina blue, and Tiffany blue.

Pick one or two of these blues for your place, or use them in combination with other shades such as cream, ivory, peach, dusty rose, white, etc.

2. Muted Light Green

Another color perfect for relaxing spaces such as a spa, salon, and massage room, is muted light green.

Green is an ideal color for your salon because it is natural and soothing while also symbolizing growth. Too much green or too dark hues, however, can represent negative feelings like envy or jealousy, so be mindful of that when choosing the shades.

Some of the best shades of lighter green you can consider are aquamarine, asparagus, jade green, mint, light olive, celadon, emerald, sage, seafoam, pistachio, and others.

If a room is too bright, use dark purples, deep blues, or muted pinks to tone it down a bit. Also, you may consider adding some greenery in the form of plants to help complete the look.

3. Pale Pink and Similar Shades

Pink is another color that can have a calming and relaxing effect on females visiting your unisex spa or salon business.

Lighter pink is a color that is often used in nurseries as it has a soothing and calming effect on babies. The same goes for adults, as this shade can help reduce anxiety and stress levels while improving the overall mental health of people in your salon.

Some of the best shades of pale pink that you can include in your spa are ballet slipper pink, candy floss, baby pink, blush, dusty rose, champagne pink, peach, salmon, orchid pink, cotton candy, pale dogwood, and others.

If you want to make your space look more modern and sophisticated, consider adding some gray, purple, or navy blue accents with pink shades.

4. Light Browns or Tan for Neutrals

Brown is not often thought of when considering a relaxing salon experience, but the color symbolizes grounding, rest, and nurturing. It also promotes strength and resilience, which are qualities you definitely want to show in your salon.

Brown is a secure color that creates feelings of warmth and comfort as long as you are using softer colors that are not too deep or dark.

Some of the best shades of brown you can try painting your salon walls with are almond, beaver, beige, biscuit, bone, camel, cappuccino, desert sand, ecru, khaki, peach brown, latte, taupe, terracotta, driftwood, sand, tan, wheat, and other earthy tones.

5. Cream, Ivory, and Off-white are Classic

Cream and ivory are other classic colors when it comes to creating a relaxing space.

Because it’s a versatile color that symbolizes cleanliness, purity, and simplicity it can be used in any type of salon. It goes well with other colors and can be easily matched with different furniture and fixtures.

Some of the best shades you can consider in this family include alabaster, antique white, bone white, cream soda, old lace, snow, vanilla, and other similar tones.

6. Light Purple is Great for Modern Look

Want to give your yoga, meditation, spa, or salon room a trendy look? Try something like muted purple. 

Some of the best shades of light purple that you can use are lavender, lilac, orchid, wisteria, heather, grape, plum, mauve, and others.

“Mauve” is my favorite choice here, which derives its name from the mallow plant (mauve in French). It’s a pale purple hue that straddles the border between violet and pink on the color wheel.

To offset the light purple color and create a unique look you can use it with other combinations like gray, green, or white.

7. Gray Shades for a Vintage Look and Feel

If you want to give your spa a vintage look, consider using an all-time favorite “gray.”

There are many shades of gray that can add a retro feel while still getting a soothing and relaxing environment. Just do not go for the too-dull or boring finish, as it will create an uninviting and dreary ambiance.

Some of the best gray shades that I believe can transform your place into a relaxing heaven are weathered wood, stormy sky, dove gray, elephant’s breath, pixelated blue-gray, ethereal white, French gray, stone gray, and a few others.

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Choosing the Right Colors for a Salon

When picking the paint and accessories colors for your salon business, you should think beyond providing a cool, calming, and comforting environment.

So, here are a few factors you should consider:

a) Your brand and market

Colors can represent so much- from you and your story to where you come from or want to go – especially if it’s your old business and brand that people know by its colors or logos.

The colors you have already chosen before have become a part of your business’s soul and will be just as meaningful years down the road when design trends have changed.

Whenever you look at your color palette, it should speak to you (and, more importantly- your target market). So before going any further, take some time to think about both carefully and choose the shades that closely match them.

b) Start slow with two colors

A typical color palette has 4-5 colors that work well together. But before creating a comprehensive palette, I recommend you start with two primary colors as a base for the others. 

Also, don’t feel like relying on pre-existing trendy colors – for instance, purple or red isn’t only a “royal” color. It entirely depends on the company using it, what sort of purple it is, or what other complementary colors are being used alongside it.

Choose whichever colors please you most – and the simplest approach is, to begin with, two central hues.

c) Audience and the age group you’re trying to attract

Some colors work better than others when trying to connect with a certain age group.

Warm colors (red, orange, yellow), for example, are more exciting and energetic, which can be perfect for a younger audience. Whereas cooler colors (blue, green, purple) have a calming effect and can be used to appeal to an older audience.

So, if the customers you have are mostly youth-oriented, you might want to consider adding some warmer tones to your color palette.

Your salon’s decor, furniture, and equipment can also be an excellent source of inspiration for the right colors to use. If you have colorful paintings or photographs on the walls, try to match one of the colors in them to your palette.

Remember that the type of salon you own and the mood you want to set can also be affected by the shades you pick.

For example, light and pastel colors are often associated with spring or new beginnings, while darker colors are often associated with sophistication or opulence. So choose the hues depending on whether you want to create a warm inviting atmosphere or rather a more relaxing and calming space.

What Paint Finish and Brands to Choose?

As for the paint finish for your massage spa center, you should always go for a semi-gloss or high-gloss finish. Unlike matte finishes, these are easier to clean and will last longer.

Semi-gloss paint is ideally a good choice where handprints are a problem. Whereas a glossy paint finish helps to add glamour to your spa walls and is usually a good option for cabinets and stair banisters (if you have them in your place).

Although a matte or flat finish is not a durable option for a salon environment, these can still be used if your walls show imperfections that need to be fixed.

For the brands, you should always pick the ones that offer low-VOC paint options. These will emit fewer fumes and have less of an impact on indoor air quality.

Some of the brands you can consider include Behr, Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, Valspar, and others. But I think it’s better to still do your own research and find the best one for your needs.

Tips to Make Your Small Salon Look Bigger and Cleaner

The décor and shades are the first things your customers will notice, as they walk inside your salon. You not only want to make a positive first impression every time but also represent your values and who you are as a company through your colors, style, and even organization.

• If you have a smaller space, a darker hue generally makes a room look smaller, so make sure you maintain your paint colors and décor lighter.
• The walls, carpeting, textiles, and upholstery should all be the same hue. So, it’s good to use a paint color that is similar to your existing décor.
• Additionally, use enough mirrors to create the impression that your salon is larger by reflecting parts of it off them.

Purchase furniture to fit in your area, not the other way around; you’ll want to make sure everything you require is already accommodated within the constraints of your space.

To make your place look cleaner and hygienic, pay attention to small details like empty shampoo bottles, hair on the floor, etc. Remove them as soon as possible. A well-organized and tidy salon always looks bigger than it actually is.

The bottom line

Creating a relaxing atmosphere with calming shades in your salon is essential not only for your business’s success but also for the well-being of your customers.

With the above colors, tips, and ideas in mind, hopefully, you can paint your walls better and create the perfect relaxing spa environment for your clients. Do not forget to choose the right paint finish for your place and focus on keeping it clean and tidy at all times.