Smart, Stylish, Interior Design Ideas by Certified Commercial Interior Designer Agni Kyprianou (NCIDQ) of APK Designs LLC
After being shut down for months, as a business owner your first concern was probably to be ready for Phase II reopening date so you can finally begin getting some revenue. However, since this virus along with its restrictions is here to stay for some time, you may want to review the below suggestions to make your day spa look less sterile and more attractive, while keeping safety, functionality and comfort in mind for your customers and staff. After all, your customers' desire to get pampered at your spa has not changed. They will expect similar service, in a pleasant environment and with little inconvenience
Safety, Always First!
If you have two access doors to your spa, you need to have a designated and clearly marked entry and exit. If you only have one access door, post a sign at the entrance for the incoming customer to wait until an outgoing one has exited, or until an employee lets him/her in. This ensures your customers’ safety by avoiding them crossing each other
Make sure you have a (preferably hands-free) sanitizer at the entry, as well as the exit
It is best to shield all the nail polish bottles behind a non-porous translucent divider and have customers select their color by pointing to it instead of touching it. Give them the option to make more than one selection and the manicurist can help them make a final selection
Keep your service stations clean and sanitize them often. You must ensure each employee sanitizes his/her station after each customer and marks it as “Sanitized” if he/she plans to step away for a break
If you don't have an area for your customers to rest their purse, now is the time to come up with a solution. The floor is not an option anymore. After all, the COVID-19 droplets end exactly there after being airborne (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7293495/). So while the customer is receiving a treatment, please consider having either a shelf nearby with silicone-glued purse hooks or end tables between treatment stations for individual use. Make sure they are sanitized after every use.
Try to keep one staff member to a customer. Cross-servicing increases the chances of the virus spreading and makes contact tracing more difficult.
Social Distancing, a Design Challenge!
Waiting in Style
Encourage your customers to make an appointment for their treatment. For sporadic walk-ins however, or if your staff is running a bit behind schedule, consider putting a couple of small, inexpensive bistro tables with chairs just outside the spa. Make sure they are spaced at least 6 feet apart and they are made of non-porous material so they can be easily sanitized. Also, consider putting a hand sanitizer on the table for customers to use as needed while they wait.
The Reception Counter
Instead of sterile and utilitarian-looking Plexiglass to shield your receptionist from customers, why not hang a couple of window panes? Depending on the design style of your reception area you can choose the window style that is right for you. You can also find wall decor frames in the right size and cover with clear acrylic like Plexiglass. This is an inexpensive and creative solution to add interest to an otherwise boring panel.
Open Treatment Areas
Usually pedicure chairs are placed very close to each other. Did you know however that if you have a non-porous divider between parties you can sit people closer than 6 feet apart? By doing so you can serve more customers at a time. A good coverage range is between 24” and 65” above the floor.
If you have already used Plexiglass as a divider, consider decorating it by getting some window film. You can use a geometric, frosted pattern or a colorful landscape. They are inexpensive and come in a large variety of patterns, images and translucencies. The possibilities are endless and this additional design step won't break the bank!
Another inexpensive material you can use as a divider is the non-porous shower curtain. Remember, it doesn’t have to be a solid color or a boring design. Try to have fun with it. Maybe you can get something colorful and somewhat translucent to keep the space still feeling open and large.
A more versatile divider but a bit pricier, comes on wheels. If you have a party of two for a pedicure you can remove the one in the middle and use it elsewhere. These dividers come in a variety of colors, opacities, textures and patterns and due to their flexibility in use it may be worth investing in a few.
The truth is these dividers between treatment stations if done well, provide some desired privacy, a cozy feel and a more personalized service. Your customers may like them and you may consider keeping them post COVID-19. Therefore, if you have some extra money to spend on something nicer and more permanent, consider using a decorative divider like these. They come in a large variety of colors and themes. Some of them have dry grass, leaves and flowers in between which reinforce an earthy spa-like design theme.
We Are Here to Help
At APK Designs we understand what you need to do in order to meet the COVID-19 reopening guidelines. We also understand budget and time restrictions, especially under these very challenging times. Are you in need of minor changes to meet the current guidelines or are you looking to make drastic interior design changes to your Spa? With over ten years in Commercial Interior Design, we are here to assist you in any capacity. Feel free to contact us at info@apk-designs.com, look us up at www.apk-designs.com or click here for our hospitality-design portfolio. We'd love to hear from you!
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