7 Soothing Paint Colors for a Relaxing Salon or Spa

A saloon or a spa is a space that people visit for relaxation purposes, so the ambiance of the place matters a lot as it can help them feel more relaxed and rejuvenated.

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

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

Take some inspiration from these calming rooms, which will inspire rest and relaxation without sacrificing style.

Even if you are considering designing a home spa, meditation, or yoga room for destressing and relaxation, you will find these tips and ideas helpful.

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 your 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 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 creating a relaxing space, such as a spa, salon, or massage room, is muted or 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 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, consider adding some greenery in the form of plants to help complete the look.

3. Pale Pink and Similar Shades

This is another color that can have a calming and relaxing effect on people visiting your 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 use include 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 sophisticated, consider adding some gray or navy blue accents.

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 walls with include 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

The cream is another classic color when it comes to creating a relaxing and soothing space. This is because it symbolizes cleanliness, purity, and simplicity.

It is a versatile color that can be used in any type of salon as 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 purple. 

These colors, when used in muted tones, can give your relaxing space a modern look.

Some of the best shades of light purple you can use to paint your walls include lavender, lilac, orchid, wisteria, heather, grape, plum, mauve, and others.

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

The term “mauve,” as we know it today, has remained more common.

You can also combine these colors with other hues like gray, green, or white to create different looks and offset the light purple color.

7. Gray Shades for a Vintage Look and Feel

If you want to give your salon or spa a vintage look, consider using

all-time favorite “gray.”

Some of the shades of gray can add a retro feel while still remaining soothing and relaxing. 

Do not go for the too dull finish as it will create an uninviting and dreary ambiance.

Some of the best gray shades that can transform your salon into 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.

Choosing the Right Colors

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

Here are a  few factors you should consider:

a) Consider your market

Especially if it’s your old business and brand that people know by its colors or logos.

Colors can represent so much- from you and your story to where you come from or want to go. 

They become a part of your 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.

b) Start slow with two colors

A typical color palette has 4-5 colors that work well together.

But before creating a comprehensive palette, we want you to 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.

d) The type of salon you own and the mood you want to set

The colors you use will create a certain mood in your salon, depending on the type of salon you own and the services you provide.

For example, light and pastel colors are often associated with spring or new beginnings, while darker colors are often associated with sophistication or opulence.

If you want to create a warm and inviting atmosphere, consider using colors like yellow, orange, or red.

Whereas to create a more relaxing and calming atmosphere, consider using colors like blue or green.

No matter what colors you choose, make sure they reflect the type of salon you own and the mood you want to set.

What Paint Finish and Brands to Choose?

When it comes to picking the right paint for your massage spa center or salon, you should always go for low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint as it will emit fewer fumes and have less of an impact on indoor air quality.

There are many brands that offer low-VOC paint options, so do some research and find the best one for your needs.

Some of the brands you can consider include Behr, Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, Valspar, and others.

As for the paint finish, you should always go for a semi-gloss or high-gloss finish, as it is easier to clean and will last longer.

A glossy paint finish also adds glamour to your spa walls and is usually a good option for cabinets and stair banisters (if you have them in your salon).

Semi-gloss paint is ideally a good choice where handprints are a problem.

A matte finish is also an option, but it is not as durable or easy to clean, so it is not ideal for a salon environment. 

But if your walls show imperfections that need to be fixed, matte or a flat finish is a way to go.

Tips to Make Your Small Salon Look Bigger and Cleaner

Your customers will get their initial impression of your salon as soon as they walk inside – the décor is the first thing they notice.

You want to make not only 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, and textiles should all be the same hue. You can use a wash or a paint color that is similar to your existing décor.

Additionally, mirrors may be used 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, you should also 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.

Overall, it’s important not to overdo things because darker colors tend to make a space seem smaller.

The bottom line

Choosing colors for your salon is an important task.

With the above colors, tips, and ideas in mind, you can start painting your walls and creating the perfect relaxing salon or spa environment for your clients.

Also, choose the right paint finish for your place and keep it clean and tidy at all times.

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