A practical Perth checklist for independent colourists comparing basin access, storage, lighting, processing space, cleaning workflow, client comfort and chair-rental terms.
Abby's take
What this means for the industry — and for independents
Industry impact. Shared salon workspaces can suit specialists who want professional premises without taking a full lease, but colour services create specific operational needs around basins, chemicals, storage, timing and cleaning.
For freelancers. A colourist can lose time and margin when basin access clashes with other users, products cannot be stored safely, processing clients occupy unsuitable areas or lighting makes colour assessment inconsistent.
My take. The practical way to assess a colour workspace is to walk one complete appointment through the room from consultation to mix, process, basin, finish, photo and clean-down. If the workflow only works when everything is quiet, ask more questions before committing.
What I'd do next
- Walk through one real colour appointment and note every basin, storage, trolley, processing, cleaning and payment step required.
- Ask how basin access works when several professionals are busy and whether long processing services can use shared areas without blocking other workflows.
- Check where colour, developers, bowls, brushes, electrical tools and clean or used linen can be stored and handled safely.
- Review access hours, inclusions, cleaning responsibilities and product or equipment restrictions in the written workspace agreement.
Watch-out. Workspace suitability depends on the services, premises, agreement and current health and safety requirements. This is general business information, not legal, health or leasing advice.
Test the basin workflow before the chair
Colour appointments often depend on basin timing more than the styling chair. Ask how many basins are available, whether access is shared and what happens when several long services reach rinse time together.
Check storage and clean-down
Colour services need workable separation between clean tools, used bowls and brushes, product stock, towels and waste. WA Health's hairdressing guidance covers hygiene, cleaning and waste practices.
Use lighting and processing space as business criteria
Colour assessment, consultation and finished photos depend on usable lighting. Also check where a processing client sits and whether that area remains comfortable when the salon is busy.
Authoritative sources checked on 25 September 2026
WA Department of Health, Guideline for the hairdressing industry: https://www.health.wa.gov.au/~/media/Corp/Documents/About-us/Public-Health-Act/Guideline-for-the-hairdressing-industry.pdf
Australian Government business.gov.au, Choose your business location: https://business.gov.au/Planning/New-businesses/Choose-your-business-location
See whether the workspace fits your real colour workflow
Bring your service timing, storage and basin questions to a private inspection so you can assess the room against an ordinary working day.
Book a Private Meet & GreetDisclaimer: General business information only. It is not legal, health, leasing or financial advice. Check current WA Health guidance and the actual workspace agreement.
Common questions
What should a colourist check before renting a salon chair?
Check basin access, storage, processing space, lighting, cleaning workflow, access hours, inclusions and the written agreement against your real services.
Why does basin access matter so much for colour services?
Long colour appointments often converge on rinse and treatment stages, so shared basin availability can affect timing and client experience.
Should I inspect a workspace during a busy period?
Yes. A normal trading period can reveal basin queues, noise, movement and shared-space pressure that a quiet inspection may hide.
Next step at The Beauty Basement
Choose the workspace around the service, not the photo
A colourist needs a room that supports basins, processing, storage, clean-down and client comfort when the day is genuinely busy.
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