A rustic hair salon: how Kaia came to be in Edinburgh

Does a rustic style in a hair salon necessarily mean a raw, unrefined look? Kaia in Edinburgh proves otherwise, combining raw, natural materials with a thoughtful, tranquil interior layout. A key element here is the „new rustic” style, inspired by the warmth of Marrakesh, Bali and Mediterranean minimalism, alongside salon furnishings tailored to a business model based on longer, one-to-one appointments. For the salon owner, this translates into a tangible business benefit: an interior designed for premium services with higher profit margins, rather than for fast, multi-station customer service.

How did the rustic Kaia hair salon come about?

Kaia in Edinburgh offers a fresh take on „rustic hairdressing salon design”: modern, serene and thoughtfully designed. Inspired by the warmth of Marrakesh and Bali, and Mediterranean minimalism, the salon’s interior combines organic textures, soft, curved lines, raw, warm wood and natural materials to create a well-established, elevated environment.

Taneth, the owner and colour specialist, has designed the space around a slower pace of customer service. „The main aim in opening Kaia was to offer personalised, one-to-one colour services,” she says. „We’ve moved away from the typical system of serving multiple clients at once to create something more personal. The space has been designed to support this, whilst also allowing us to organise events, create content and welcome guest artists.”.

From the warm, neutral tones to the fluid flow of the interior layout, every element seems to have been carefully thought out.

Hairdressing furniture and fittings that define the character of the interior

The centrepiece of the lounge is a bespoke, oversized wooden table by Trae Joinery. Built at desk height, it is designed to help customers take their eyes off the mirror and feel more at ease during quiet moments, whether they are reading, working or simply relaxing.

This approach to hairdressing salon design has a tangible impact on the business: with lengthy, bespoke colouring treatments, customers spend more time in the salon than they would for a standard haircut, and having a place to work or relax at a table – rather than just a chair by the mirror – enhances the comfort of these longer visits and reduces the risk of customers becoming impatient.

Soft, curved lines recur throughout the interior, from the joinery to the arched mirrors and styling stations. The colour palette emphasises natural light, textured finishes and a distinctly „neo-rustic” aesthetic – raw yet refined. The Chloe hairdressing chairs in the Sand shade were chosen to complement the colour palette, whilst introducing a sculptural softness to the interior. In the washing area, the Club hairdressing wash unit in Sand anchors this part of the salon in comfort and simplicity.

„The armchairs and washbasin fit in perfectly here,” says Taneth. „Comfortel were incredibly helpful with every query I had. The delivery went smoothly, and they even offered excellent after-sales support following installation.”.

Plan your living room furnishings with Comfortel

Are you planning a rustic hair salon or another project based on natural materials and a more relaxed pace of service? Get in touch with the Comfortel team to select fittings that suit the size of your premises, your budget and your salon’s operating model. We’ll help you plan your chairs, wash units and accessories so that they complement the specific character of your services.

Products featured in the article:

• Chloe hairdressing chair (Sand)
• Comet Footstool
• Club Hair Salon Wash Unit (Sand)

Showroom details
Showroom: Kaia
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Instagram: @kaia.thesalon
Owner: @tanethdoeshair
Fittings: Trae Joinery, @traejoinery
Photographers/Videographers: David Wilkinson @_empirical, Michael Nicholson @mn.conception, Ross Duncan @rossjduncan
Furniture: Comfortel Living Room Furniture – www.comfortel.co.uk