You might consider adding some lighting, a lot of the places where I'm at in Southern California are small spaces but they make up for it in glam, the salon my regular stylist rents her chair at has chandeliers!

There's too much pieces in this room. Everything in the back of the hairdresser chair should go. I don't really know about hair salon furniture but the thing that holds the blow dryer is too big. I already saw sleeker and smaller ones. Maybe a brighter color on the wall will help too.

Also, are there other configurations available for your 'tool station'? Right now the one you have looks like it extends too much into the area needed to work when you've got a client in the chair. Perhaps a taller one, not quite as deep but with a 3rd drawer that has the slots for dryer/curling iron/flat iron on the right side?

https://www.agssalonequipment.com/nias.html

Even something like this would work better than trying to fit the individual pieces into a small area.

Is that hot wax sitting on the counter?

Hey, the OP asked for help to make the place look bigger and more attractive not what might be a safety issue.

http://www.shopsaloncity.com/economic-salon-styling-station/

There are a ton of all-in-one stylist workstations out there. Going that route and removing all the other furniture except for a chair might give you the room you need for a better wash station placement.

As a hair colorist for many years the best thing you can do is add more lighting. Also the ceiling should be white and a lighter color for the walls. Make sure your lighting is as close to natural light as possible.

thank you very much for your help I truly appreciate it... yes its a hot wax machine..

Another tip. I'm not sure if color is your main thing but if it is I would do everything I could to swap that black bowl for a white one.

Janie: Were you implying that the hot wax on the counter is a safety issue?

My goodness!

All I was thinking was moving the wax to a small trolley cart or something so the client would have a flat surface in front of them to put down a handbag, cell phone, a magazine, etc. And where would be a smart place to keep a tiny trolley cart (or something), tucked out of the way in order to make the room feel bigger and more attractive.

Calm down.

Do you really need two customer chairs? My hairdresser has one height-adjustable swivel chair she uses for men and women and kids, short or tall, big and small. You need to be able to turn the chair and/or walk around without all the excess stuff in your way. Your small stuff needs to be in rolling drawer towers, but easily accessible. The blow-dryer needs to be no further than one step away. The wash basin needs to be near the water source. Once you have stowed or sold the extra chair, and have rearranged the space, you can add some color: your price list neatly printed in a colorful frame on the wall, a small colorful trash bin, a colorful small broom and dustpan in the corner. Keep it simple, keep it neat.

The small trolley cart is the best idea, then you can move it around wherever you need to. They have small ones just what you might be looking for at Sallys.

Ooohh what about a logo-Solar shade to not only shade your customers but to promote your studio!!?!!

Aveda salons are known for their dramatic shades!

Janie Gibbs wrote:

"My goodness!

All I was thinking was moving the wax to a small trolley cart or something so the client would have a flat surface in front of them to put down a handbag, cell phone, a magazine, etc. And where would be a smart place to keep a tiny trolley cart (or something), tucked out of the way in order to make the room feel bigger and more attractive.

Calm down."

Was this in response to my question? If it was, I don't think it's me who needs to calm down. :)

If I'm the one who has overstepped the question, I do apologize. Being a stylist for 45 years I tend to be passionate about it.

Speaking from a client's perspective, the clutter would make me itchy! and the utter lack of privacy would be a deal breaker. Would opaque shades work?

Carol, I'm responding to your comment. My clients loved the light coming in from the window. As a colorist you want all the natural light you can get. If a client has a problem with privacy I would either sit them away from the window or just turn the chair around. Believe it or not you really can't see much detail just walking by, glancing in.

How about changing out your chairs for white or a fun color? This looks comfortable.

I don't think you need to add a barber chair either. Just one good sized chair should do the trick.

If the client feels exposed then it doesn't matter if you can't see much if you are just walking by. Plus it's not like the view is pretty.

No doubt I'm the intended person for the 'calm down' comment. :P However, as I am not an inspector nor does it sound like anyone else is, I felt like we should stick to the aspect(s) of advice requested by OP. :)