Pay a Pro who specializes in commercial spaces. The ADA requirements and other commercial considerations are way beyond an amateur design forum.

thank you Daisy. that was very nice of you. I did see your color scheme in some sample searches online. the colors are an awesome pair but from experience I know going dark isn't the best idea for the simple fact it's hard to see your canvas when working. the details and what not. id like to go for more warm to cool colors.

you can incorporate all things vintage in the areas that don't interfere with your working..say sitting area/waiting area...vintage-what style? retro? or more "feminine" things, flowers, curvy lines, ornate?

you could do vinyl curvy loveseats/chairs..you can put crystal chandelier/s over the entrance desk...you can make a feature wall with wallpaper/enlist someone who paints murals professionally/buy a mural..you can frame your mirrors(I'm not sure whether it's done in barber shops)..you can put art on that feature wall-something inpirational..vintage photography/portraits? with different hair styles..))

keep your walls white if you have enough light in your space..or maybe off white or cream..

bring in plants

the hairdresser place I go to has a tree growing right inside the space..a huge aquarium...a huge vintage photo of their family(it's legacy thing there I guess)..crystal chandeliers..they read as modern but trees and fishes and a touch of old world make it more uniquely theirs

their space is blessed with a very good light. I tried to ask several times how they achieved it)) because I look there better than anywhere else. They do have a skylight as far as I remember..well given that growing tree..)) They said they thought it through. Great answer, very detailed)) but they obviously did. White by itself doesn't always do the trick, but it's probably several factors combined there,

tell us a bit more about your vintage style..since vintage can be many things..

barber chairs..I'm sure you'll have much more extensive knowledge in these..

you're the best April thanks. My shop currently has a light brown with shades of cream ceramic tile and white walls. I love your ideas with incorporating old photos and framing them all around the shop. I wanted to buy 3D brick wallpapers on some of the walls to add a different color to compliment the theme. as far as barber chairs I wanna go with a cream leather cushion with brown handles. Your idea of plants is also a great feature. Would have to do my research on what plants are healthy for indoors. As far as what kind of vintage? I'm looking for a old modern rustic look. Photos of Elvis Presley getting his hair cut and Frank Sinatra music playing in the background. pretty much a blast from the past for men when they enter my shop

ah..if you're keeping the tile-the close up pic would help. since then it's your permanent element that should be carefully considered.

here ya go

aha..then brown tile should work..still pics would be helpful..

I'll need to google the exact years:) but I think I get the vibe..very cool idea

would be cool to read other responses...I wish palimpsest and Lars would see this thread for example..you put it in Remodeling forum..see if you can tag it/copy paste it in Home Decorating forum as well? since it's more about design and style you'll get more responses there I believe..

ok (so sorry for my ignorance..had to make sure it's around fifties..)..so it's retro

so. brown would be cool. photos in sepia would be cool. or black and white? creams, greens. plants-yes of course. oranges..like cognac you know? lighting fixtures of that era are amazing. but you probably need lighting plan that's much more than we can advise for here..the only contribution I can make-I adore vintage lighting including mid century modern(that's the era you're looking into..I think..) ..and I got mine second hand..now it's a pain to do it for the whole barber shop...but as a feature, sitting area, desk-I'm already very excited for possibilities you can find..

but obviously put your overall vision together first

and you can by all means decorate with objects related to that feel..I don't know..old recorders?

oh I wish people would join this discussion because so much potential

I would check out The Art of Manliness. They have a forum—it’s private, so I have no idea how active, but that’s your target audience.

I love the ideas you have so far. Last night on my walk through our neighbourhood, I peeked through the window of a new barbershop that is almost ready to open. They've got the retro chairs and a lit barber pole. The key element though is that they've panelled a couple of walls in rough boards (pallets maybe? or old barn board?), then juxtaposed this with some flashy elements like gold writing on the windows and I think they had some cool lighting. I was trying to keep up with my hubby and didn't really have time to note much else, but I'll go back and try to get a better look. It just struck me as having the same design feeling you are describing - sort of rustic modern.

wow

that's how barber chairs looked in 19 th century..apparently...just stumbled upon it on our local Craigslist

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/fuo/d/1800s-barber-chair/6397994311.html

and that's mid century modern one

(I swear to you I'm not looking for them..looking for another chair. isn't it funny? I probably never paid attention before)

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/fuo/d/vintage-belvedere-salon/6392511971.html

for children:)

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/fuo/d/vintage-belvedere-salon/6392511971.html