Good day everyone!! I hope your month is off to a great start! Mine is for sure! It started off with a bang and I can’t wait to fill you in on all of what’s been happening! Yes, I am still undergoing the funding process but things are progressing and we’re headed in the right direction! When the time is right I’ll provide ALL the details so be sure to continue to journey along with me!
Now that you’ve been updated a bit let’s talk design!!! As you all know, the space I’m pursuing is, in fact, a pre-existing spa space. This means that the space was originally built out for a spa. This is great news for any potential spa owner because it saves him or her a ton of money for buildout, requiring only improvements/renovations.
Although someone’s potential space may, in fact, be a “pre-existing spa space” (as in my case) they too, are in need of certain design elements to ensure you’re maximizing the space to its full potential and that it meets the needs of your overall vision! Some of those design elements that should be included, in my opinion, are the following:
Overall Look and Feel
How do you want the guest to feel when they step foot in your spa? The feeling you want guests to exude when they step foot in your space should be taken into account when designing a space. As an aspiring owner, my goal is to ensure that when guests enter my spa they instantly feel a sense of calm. A space that is modern, elegant, and evokes a sense of peace and stillness is what I will seek when designing. What the guests see, smell, hear, can touch, and even taste matters from the moment they step foot within the space. Design elements such as paint color, furniture, sound, and decor should be planned with great intention to ensure the look and feel you wish to achieve is a success and,of course, all will be considered when designing my pre-existing space as well.
Ease and Flow of Space
Ensuring the flow and ease of navigating the space is smooth and effortless for the guest should, most definitely, be taken into consideration during your design phase. The flow, from the moment the guest enters into the space until the moment they leave, should be one that is easy for the guest to flow through. Placement of treatment rooms, quiet rooms, changing rooms, and even the employee lounge should be heavily evaluated and designed with intention ensuring it does not, in any way, interfere with the guests experience. Thankfully, the floorplan for my potential space was well thought out so no major changes/additions will be required relating to the “flow” and for that I am grateful!
Ambience
Let me just say ambience is EVERYTHING especially for a day spa. One way to ensure the ambience is one that is calm and relaxing is with the use of great lighting! Lighting has the ability to set the mood for any room. If you find yourself on a tight budget, as is the case for many new business owners, lighting is not the area you want to pass over. Making lighting a priority in your design phase is highly recommended and has the potential to transform any space! It will be money well spent and today you can find well designed, updated lighting to fit any budget. Also, another piece of advice…make sure when you’re designing that you have the ability to adjust lighting as needed.
Design With The Guest In Mind
Designing a spa space should always be done with the guest in mind. This rings true for pre-existing spaces as well. This is where the details come into play! We’ve heard people say time and time again “it’s all in the details.” It is the small, intricate details that the guests pay attention to and it is what makes their experience an unforgettable one! So, putting yourself in the guests shoes when designing will not only help ensure your success but it will also help you stand out from the rest!
Here are some examples of putting yourself in the guests shoes: Think about what the guest would enjoy? What would they expect? For example, do you have a space where the guest can relax after their treatment? Will they be required to change in a treatment room or changing lounge? If in the lounge do they have ample space to change? Will spa snacks be provided for guests to enjoy before or after treatment? Water, is it filtered? Is checking out easy or difficult? Think about details such as these when planning and designing your space in efforts to not only meet their expectations but exceed them! Details matter so take time to plan and always do it with the guest in mind.
I hope you find this post helpful in some way as you embark on your journey of becoming who you were destined to be! Let’s continue to make our dreams a reality together! Until next week, take care!
