Move or Make Over: Creating the perfect space for relaxation

"I opened up a small beauty salon a few years ago and have decided to expand from three treatment rooms to five and re-launch as more of a spa. The existing paint is a bright off-white colour which is great for the beauty treatments we offer but not ideal for the holistic therapies we now do. I'd like to reflect our progression from beauty salon to spa in the décor of the new building and would appreciate any tips and advice on how best to achieve that!"

Decorating a working space that is going to be used for relaxation can be difficult. On one hand you want to create a productive working space for your staff and, on the other, you want to create a soothing atmosphere for your clients. The best advice I can give you is that somehow you strike a balance. Beauty salons and spas are places where people can truly unwind and forget their day-to-day worries. Even if their treatment is not a totally relaxing experience, it is a haven where you are not disturbed and mobile phones are a no-no.

To reflect that, I suggest you paint treatment rooms in soft, ambient shades. Crown’s Classic Collection contains a range of beautiful rich shades that will warm and soften any room. Shades like Elegant Café and Classic Mocha are deep and inviting.

If you want to keep the paint in your newly-decorated salon more fresh and bright then take a look at some of the comforting shades in Crown’s Indulgence range. Tiramisu and Silk Gown are rich and warm and the indulgence paint is a luxurious matt emulsion packed with tiny microspheres making the paint thick and creamy. To maintain that warm and cosy feeling, paint woodwork, metal and ceilings in Milk White or Lightest Beige from the Solo One Coat collection. These shades are less harsh than Pure Brilliant White but will still provide an excellent contrast to the warmer shades on the walls.

If you are considering more colour, then perhaps take a look at Crown’s Easyclean range. Easyclean is an extremely durable paint that will withstand scrubbing and cleaning without fading, perfect for high- traffic areas like your treatment rooms. Soft Berry from this range is a relaxing berry shade that is deep, inviting and warm. Contrasted with neutral wood and metal work in Potato Cake or Flawless Fawn, I feel it would add some personality to your rooms.