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 the client without standing up. In Denmark, we are actually the only country in the world that uses salon stools with backrests. In most places around the world, the hairdresser sits on a saddle stool instead. The backrest is most often used to push the stool with—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 does not get tangled around them
• That the seat height can be adjusted, so you work at the right height
• That the seat supports your body, so you do not tense your shoulders

Our honest recommendation: try a saddle stool if you have not already. The curved seat gives your lower back a natural tilt that makes a noticeable difference after a long working day. 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 it can be raised and lowered with a hydraulic pump beneath the seat. Many people call it a hairdressing chair. That is not wrong, but it creates confusion online.

The most important thing about a styling chair is not that it looks great—even though that does of course matter. The most important thing is that it can be lowered far enough. A good rule of thumb is that the chair should be able to go down to a seat height of approximately 38–42 cm. If you are short and your styling chair cannot go low enough, you raise your shoulders to reach the client, and that is where injuries begin. 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 test whether you can stand behind the client and think, “Wow, I’m standing comfortably here and feeling relaxed.” Then it is the right chair. See our styling chairs here

Hairdressing chairs, the general term

"Hairdressing chairs" is actually a collective term for both types. When people search for "hairdressing chairs" online, they sometimes mean the salon stool, sometimes the styling chair and sometimes the backwash 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 is rarely an either-or choice. You need both, but they should be chosen 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 simply looks great. The best thing you can do is visit our showroom in Viborg and try them out. Just like you would show your mother how fast you could run in your new shoes before taking them home—the same applies to salon stools. For your client, we recommend choosing something that will last for many years and suit your salon’s style and clientele. The styling chair is the first piece of furniture the client notices, and it sends a signal about who you are as a hairdresser.

Still unsure?

Give us a call. We have helped hairdressers find the right equipment for more than 30 years, and we know the difference between what works in everyday life and what only looks good in pictures. It is not about selling you something expensive; it is about making sure you get the right chair.

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