salon furniture a perfect fit on the couch
For many, the most important furniture purchase you make will be your therapy couch. This salon staple has to be versatile, functional and comfortable – meeting the needs of both the client and therapist.
“Don’t let the equipment and furniture take ‘back stage’. Remember that the ambience creates a ‘good feel factor’ and a good first impression but the comfort of the treatment is paramount,” says Sarah. “Remember if the couch your client is lying on for an hour is uncomfortable or unstable they won’t come back for another treatment! You are offering a professional service and your investment in the best quality equipment should reflect this fact. Using quality equipment will result not only in customer satisfaction but also enhances the working environment of your therapists too.”
Cost is always a consideration, particularly when you’re watching every penny. However, investment in a better quality product now could save you dividends in the long term.
“To keep costs to a minimum, try sourcing a piece of equipment that will cover many varied treatment disciplines such as a therapy treatment chair that will also convert to a couch for massage,” adds Sarah. “It’s better spending a little more on one good piece like this than a cheaper chair and couch separately; also you are investing in a piece that will be able to grow with your business if it is versatile enough.”
Your key allies in deciding on the right therapy couch will be your very own therapists. After all, they use this piece of equipment on a daily basis and will be able to easily identify the aspects which differentiate a ‘so-so’ couch from a fabulous one.
“Make sure you consult the therapists who are going to be using the equipment,” advises Sarah. “A big mistake many make is that the person responsible to make the buying decision is not necessarily the practicing therapist, or on many occasions has any knowledge of therapy at all. What may appear value for money to the man with the purse strings may not actually be a viable purchase when it’s in situ if it doesn't stand
up to the rigors of continuous use, meet all your various treatment needs/disciplines and may not be easy for the therapist to use and assist their treatments.”
“The treatment couch should provide good working position for all therapists in the salon, comfort for the client and the correct position for a variety of treatments,” says Caroline. “Make sure the couch is height adjustable; clients and therapists vary in size and the ideal height for the couch will vary according to the treatment being offered. Electric adjustment allows for easy adjustment as well as access for disabled clients.”
“Most heavy-duty static couches are multi- functional and will be suited to a variety of basic therapy treatments,” notes Sarah. “If you are diversifying over a number of therapies, you should be aware that beauty equipment offering the comfort of thick padding may not be so well suited to massage or manipulative work which requires the firm support of higher density foam. If space is at a premium, a single major piece of equipment can be adapted to many disciplines. A top specification electric couch will be strong enough for heavy massage and sufficiently flexible to convert to a chair for foot and beauty work.”
don’t forget…
“Choose a product from a reputable manufacturer, that will also provide the technical support and backup during the life of your couch – look out for companies who offer maintenance and servicing and offer an engineer ‘call out’ service that can be with you within 48 hours, so that your business is not disrupted in the unlikely event of breakdown and parts for your couch are easily available from the manufacturer,” advises Sarah.
“[In addition], do check the equipment you are buying complies with fire regulations required by your indemnity insurance,” she adds. “Remember there are no requisite regulations governing equipment sold in the UK but there will be regulations you may need to meet for your premises. Also ensure that your equipment, particularly your couches, enable you to meet the Disability Laws.”
“The treatment couch should provide good working position for all therapists in the salon, comfort for the client and the correct position for a variety of treatments,” says House of Famuir’s Caroline Peacock.
Turn the page to see a selection of the latest salon furniture…
56 GUILD NEWS
Image©
iStock.com/PaulVinten
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