How to Plan Your Salon Equipment
The right equipment depends on your space, your services and how many clients you see each day. Here's what to think through before you order, starting with the stations that take the most planning.
Start with the pedicure stations
Pedicure chairs usually need the most planning, because most of them connect to water, a drain and power. Decide early how each station will be set up.
- Plumbed chairs connect to hot and cold water and a drain. A floor drain or floor sink is simplest, since most chairs drain by gravity. If your drain is above the floor or through a wall, add a discharge pump.
- No plumbing chairs, such as the Whale Spa Pure III, plug into a standard wall outlet and fill from a sink. They suit suites, small rooms and stations you may move later.
- Power: every chair needs a 120V outlet on a GFCI protected circuit. The owner manual gives the amps per chair.
- Licensed installers: most manufacturers require a licensed plumber and electrician, working to your local codes, to keep the warranty.
Our Pedicure Chair Installation Checklist walks through the drain, water, power, space and delivery, step by step.
Compare what your clients feel
Massage systems differ by brand and model. Whale Spa offers Human Touch, AirWave and ImmersiBody massage on different chairs, Gulfstream chairs use a quiet, four wheel driven shiatsu roller system, and Osaki Spa chairs such as the TEC-04 pair six massage functions with a vibrating seat. Compare the basins too, from glass and crystal bowls to LED lit basins, along with the footrest, the recline and extras such as auto fill and air vents.
Keep turnovers quick and clean
- Gulfstream's OneJet System gives every client a new disposable jet and liner, so there are no pipes to scrub between services.
- Many Whale Spa basins work with disposable spa liners, and some chairs, such as the Felicity Freeform II, use MagJet pipe free jets.
- Look for acetone resistant upholstery and surfaces, made to stand up to daily salon chemicals.
Round out the salon
What the warranties cover
- Whale Spa: 2 year limited warranty on pedicure chairs, from the date the chair ships, and 3 years on genuine leather upholstery. Whale Spa Warranty
- Gulfstream: 3 years limited on the spa shell, lifetime on the OneJet motor, 1 year on parts and 90 days of labor. Gulfstream Warranty
- Osaki Spa: 1 year on parts, and 2 years on the Comet's massage chair. Osaki Spa Warranty
Shipping, lead times and delivery
- Pedicure chairs, reception desks and manicure tables ship by LTL freight and arrive curbside. The driver doesn't bring the boxes inside, so have help ready to move them in.
- Chairs are built to order, and lead times change often by brand, model and season. Call or text (888) 886-8373 for the current lead time on the chairs you want.
- Freight on pedicure chairs is one flat charge per order for 1 to 3 chairs from the same brand, and free on 4 or more. Osaki Spa items ship free. The amounts are in our Shipping Policy.
- Before you sign for a delivery, count every pallet and box and note any damage on the delivery receipt. Manufacturer warranties don't cover freight damage, so this step protects you.
Outfitting a whole salon?
Tell us about your space and we'll help you choose equipment that fits it, then quote your whole order: request a quote or call or text (888) 886-8373. Business financing is available through APPROVE.
