What do you need to prepare when opening a nail salon in the US?

Are you planning to open a nail salon in the US but don’t know where to start? This article from Aaron’s Spa & Furniture will help you understand what you need to prepare from legal procedures, investment costs, list of necessary equipment, choosing suitable nail salon furniture to how to set up the space in the most professional and economical way.

1. Documents & legal procedures to open a nail salon in the US

Opening a nail salon in the US is not simply finding a location and buying equipment, but also requires you to fully prepare the documents and legal procedures required by each state. If you miss this step, your salon may be suspended at any time.

Distinguish clearly: Nail License & Nail Technician License

Many people often confuse nail license and technician license.

• Nail technician license is a personal license, required to work legally.

• Nail license is a business license, issued to the business location, not related to personal skills.

Both types of licenses are necessary when you are a salon owner and participate in nail care.

Business registration procedures in the state you live in

Each state in the US has its own regulations on registering to open a nail salon, but in general, you will need:

• Register a business name

• Apply for a nail salon license from the State Board of Cosmetology

• Submit a tax identification number

You should refer directly to the State Board website in your state to follow the correct procedures and not miss any steps to easily open a nail salon in the US.

Related certificates: hygiene – safety – fire prevention

To get a license to operate a nail salon, you also need the following certificates:

• Certificate on hygiene and sterilization of tools

• Certificate of labor safety

• Certificate of fire prevention and fighting from local authorities

These certificates are not only mandatory procedures but also help you build a professional nail salon image and create trust for customers.

Notes when renting a space to open a nail salon in the US

When opening a nail salon in the US, choosing a location greatly affects the ability to operate and obtain a license:

• Prioritize a location near a residential area, with parking and easy to find.

• Check the lease carefully to make sure the location is licensed to operate in the beauty industry.

• Limit locations that have been warned or have construction violations.

In addition, you should work with a reputable nail salon furniture supplier to help with layout drawings and ensure compliance with state standards for spacing and table and chair arrangement. For example, Aaron’s Spa & Furniture, a unit specializing in providing furniture for nail salons in the US.

2. Estimated costs to open a nail salon in the US

Before opening a nail salon in the US, one of the most important steps is to estimate costs. Knowing the spending categories will help you plan your budget accurately and avoid being passive when starting a business.

Rental costs

Depending on the location, area and area, rental prices may vary. Areas near residential areas, shopping malls or places with many nail salons will have higher prices but attract more customers.

Note: In addition to the rent, you also need to consider the cost of deposit and renovating the space to suit the nail salon model.

Furniture & equipment costs

Furniture and equipment are the biggest budget component of a salon setup. A typical nail salon typically needs:

• Nail table: ranges from $325 – $650/piece depending on design, size, material.

• Reception desk: ranges from $1,250 – $6,600 creating a professional impression from the moment customers enter.

• Polish rack, nail polish wall rack, dip powder cabinet, dip powder rack: from $160 – $8,399 with a variety of sizes, designs, materials, colors, and capacities to help the salon stay neat, increase aesthetics, and make it convenient for customers to choose colors.

Furniture costs make up a large part of the initial budget. Therefore, choosing durable, beautiful, easy-to-clean and well-priced products like those at Aaron’s Spa & Furniture will help you save significantly on setup costs while still ensuring the quality and style of your salon.

Hiring and training Costs

Depending on the size of your salon, you may need 2–6 nail technicians. Hiring costs depend on experience and how you pay (hourly, percentage, or flat).

Initial marketing costs

No matter how good the service quality is, if you don’t promote it, it will be very difficult to attract customers in the beginning. You should budget for the following activities:

• Design logo, shop sign

• Run Google Maps, Facebook/Instagram ads

• Create a simple website and post blog posts to increase organic search

• Print flyers, opening discount cards

See more: 5 Tips to Help Save Money When Opening a Nail Salon.

3. Concept and style for nail salon

When opening a nail salon in the US, defining the concept and style is an indispensable step to create a unique mark. A salon with a clear aesthetic taste not only attracts customers but also helps enhance brand value in the eyes of regulars and newcomers.

Identify your target audience to choose the right style

To build a standout nail salon in the US, you should start by answering the question: Who will be your salon’s customers?

• If it is located in a high-end residential area, a luxurious, sophisticated style with white-gold or black-gold tones will be very suitable.

• Is the salon oriented to families? Choose a modern, comfortable, open and friendly style. The style you choose will guide all design decisions – from choosing furniture, color schemes to decorating the salon.

Main color scheme

A consistent color palette helps your nail salon in the US look professional and recognizable. Typically, nail salons in the US choose a maximum of 3 main colors to coordinate throughout the space.

• White – gray: gentle, modern

• Beige – wood brown – matte black: luxurious, warm

• White – gold: youthful, bright

Make sure the interior colors also blend with the overall color scheme.

Design of reception area, manicure, pedicure

In a well-designed nail salon in the US, the space is usually divided into three main functional areas:

Reception Desk

The reception desk is the first place guests see when entering, so a beautiful and professional design is extremely important. A reception desk with a uniform color tone with the entire salon, combined with LED lights or marble details will increase the feeling of luxury.

Refer to the article: Tips to choose the right reception desk for nail salon to understand the role of this area and how to choose the right design.

Manicure and pedicure area

You should arrange the nail tables in straight or symmetrical rows, ensuring clear and easy-to-move walkways. The table models should be selected with convenient drawers, easy-to-clean stone surfaces, and colors that are in harmony with the reception desk and the overall look.

For the pedicure area, choose a spa pedicure chair with a soaking tub, massage, and easy-to-clean leather material. In addition to functionality, the pedicure chair is also an important highlight, elevating the space for serving customers.

Polish rack, dipping powder cabinet

Standing nail polish rack, dip powder wall rack and dipping powder cabinet should be placed near the nail area, making it easy for customers to choose colors.

At Aaron’s Spa & Furniture, you can find many pre-designed furniture models in modern and luxurious styles, helping you save time choosing furniture and ensuring aesthetic consistency for your nail salon.

4. List of furniture to buy when opening a nail salon in the US

When opening a nail salon in the US, fully preparing nail salon furniture and necessary nail equipment will help the setup process go smoothly, creating professionalism from the first day of opening. Below is a checklist divided by area, helping you easily visualize and choose the right purchase for your salon space.

Reception area

• Reception desk: This is the first place to welcome guests, so it needs to be designed to be prominent, modern and consistent with the entire salon style. The reception desk models at Aaron’s Spa & Furniture are diverse in color and material such as marble, MDF wood, which are suitable for both luxury and modern salons.

• Waiting chairs: You should choose a long chair or soft sofa, neutral tones to create comfort for guests while waiting.

• Nail polish rack: Used to display products such as gel, polish, dip powder. You should use wall racks such as Luxe Polish/Powder Rack [N-08] or Wall Nail Polish Rack [N-03] to save space and enhance aesthetics.

Nail area

• Nail table: Is the central equipment in this area. Choose a type with a marble top, convenient drawers and integrated dust extraction holes. Refer to table models such as Savona Single Nail Table [S-104], Luxe I Single Nail Table [Q-101], Savona Double Nail table [S-202],…

• Technician chair & Customer chair: Prioritize choosing a chair with adjustable height and flexible wheels for easy operation and service.

Pedicure area

• Pedicure massage chair: Prioritize choosing chair lines with integrated foot bath, automatic massage system and easy-to-clean leather material. This is a necessary nail equipment to help enhance the customer experience.

• Pedi cart: Compact, easy to move, many drawers for storage. Savona Pedicart [C-01W] is a model loved by many salon owners in the US.

Furniture and other equipment

• Nail polish display cabinet: can display a large collection of polish/gel bottles or powder jars so that customers can easily choose their favorite polish color.

• Dipping powder cabinet: helps the shop store a large collection of powder jars to serve customers, preserving dip powder well.

• Nail dryer, nail dryer table: These are indispensable equipment in any nail salon.

See more: Advantages and disadvantages of using nail dryer table for nail salons to understand the product clearly.

• Towels, towel racks, disinfectants: Ensure hygiene and safety for customers and workers.

• Tool washing & cleaning area: Should arrange a separate area with full double sink and towel cabinet.

Investing in the right and sufficient interior equipment from the beginning will not only help you open a nail salon in the US successfully but also create a stable and professional operating foundation in the long term. Do not hesitate to refer to the product lines at Aaron’s Spa & Furniture to save time choosing and ensure quality that meets the standards of nail salons in the US.

See more: Furniture and equipment needed when opening a nail salon.

5. Nail salon setup experience from predecessors

When opening a nail salon in the US, many first-time entrepreneurs often encounter many surprises during the setup process. Learning from those who have been there is a smart way to avoid wasting time and budget. Below are some practical tips and tricks to help you set up your salon more effectively.

Common mistakes when opening a nail salon in the US

• Buying furniture that lacks uniformity: Many salon owners choose to buy furniture from many different sources, making the overall look disharmonious, reducing the professional impression in the eyes of customers.

• Ignoring licenses and safety standards: Some people focus too much on design and forget about legal regulations and have to make costly modifications.

• Incorrect setup cost estimate: Not listing all investment items leads to a budget deficit midway through, this is a common mistake for those who open a nail salon in the US for the first time.

Tips for setting up a salon that is both economical and beautiful

• Have a clear concept before shopping for furniture: This helps avoid buying too much or choosing the wrong items. You should determine the style (luxury, modern, minimalist, etc.) to easily choose nail tables, reception desks, and pedicure chairs in the same tone.

• Prioritize choosing quality furniture at reasonable prices: Instead of choosing cheap, less durable products, invest once in durable products. For example, at Aaron’s Spa & Furniture, you can choose nail tables, polish racks, and reception desks that are both beautiful and suitable for your startup budget.

• Take advantage of promotional combos: Many furniture showrooms often have a policy of buying a complete set of tables, polish racks at a discount or giving away a pedi cart, helping you optimize costs significantly.

Tip: Visit the actual furniture showroom before shopping

Whether you order online or come directly, visiting the actual nail salon furniture showroom will help:

• See clearly the materials, colors, and designs that match the salon space.

• Try the sturdiness of the tables and chairs, the softness of the pedicure massage chair, the actual layout of the nail polish display racks, etc.

• Get advice from a team of experts in the nail industry, especially at Aaron’s Spa & Furniture – a supplier of high-quality nail salon furniture, specializing in serving customers in the US.

Opening a nail salon in the US is not only an investment of money but also requires careful preparation and smart setup. Learning from the experiences of those who have gone before will help you minimize risks, optimize costs and quickly get the salon into effective operation.

Opening a nail salon in the US is a challenging yet rewarding journey. When you are well prepared from the licensing process, budgeting, setting up the interior, and choosing the right equipment, everything will become easier and more systematic.

If you are looking for a reputable, durable and beautiful nail salon furniture supplier with free setup consultation, Aaron’s Spa & Furniture is always ready to accompany you. Do not hesitate to contact us for advice and choose the most suitable products for your nail salon!

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AARON’S SPA & FURNITURE

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