Hairdressing chairs, styling chairs and salon stools: what’s the difference?

The salon stool is your chair

The salon stool is what you sit on while you work. It has wheels, so you can move around your client without standing up. In Denmark, we’re actually the only country in the world that uses salon stools with backrests. In most parts of the world, hairdressers sit on a saddle stool instead. The backrest is usually used to push the stool - not to lean against. The most important things to look for in a salon stool are:

• That the wheels roll smoothly and have hair-resistant covers, so hair doesn’t get tangled around them
• That the seat height can be adjusted so you can work at the right height
• That the seat supports your body so you don’t tense your shoulders

Our honest recommendation: try a saddle stool if you haven’t already. The curved seat gives your lower back a natural tilt that makes a noticeable difference after a long day at work. See our salon stools here

The styling chair is the client’s chair

The styling chair is the large, upholstered chair by the mirror - the one your client sits in while you cut their hair. It swivels and can be raised and lowered with a hydraulic pump under the seat. Many people call it a styling chair. That’s not wrong, but it can cause confusion online.

The most important thing about a styling chair isn’t that it looks nice - although, of course, that matters too. The most important thing is that it can be lowered far enough. A good rule of thumb is that the chair should lower to a seat height of around 38-42 cm. If you’re short and your styling chair doesn’t go low enough, you’ll raise your shoulders to reach your client, and that’s where injuries start. Here’s the test we always recommend: roll your salon stool over to the styling chair and sit right up against it. Can you work comfortably without tensing up? Also try standing behind your client and thinking, “Wow, I feel comfortable and relaxed here.” Then you’ve found the right chair. See our styling chairs here

Styling chairs, the umbrella term

“Styling chairs” is really an umbrella term for both types. When people search online for “styling chairs”, they sometimes mean the salon stool, sometimes the client chair, and sometimes the shampoo chair. At Just Add People, we divide them into two separate categories precisely because they serve two completely different purposes. That makes it easier to find the right one.

Which one should you buy?

It’s rarely an either-or. You need both, but they’re used very differently. For yourself, we always recommend starting with ergonomics. Choose a salon stool you can sit on all day without feeling it in your back, rather than one that looks great. The best thing you can do is stop by our showroom in Viborg and try them out. Just like you’d show your mum how fast you could run in your new shoes before taking them home - the same goes for salon stools. For your clients, we recommend choosing something that will last for many years and suit your salon’s style and clientele. The client chair is the first piece of furniture clients notice, and it sends a message about who you are as a hairdresser.

Not sure?

Call us. We’ve helped hairdressers find the right furnishings for more than 30 years, and we know the difference between what works in everyday life and what just looks good in photos. It’s not about selling you something expensive; it’s about making sure you get the right chair.

Tel: +45 32256060
Monday to Friday
9:00 to 16:00