BACKYARD beauty

Home-based salons can be an ideal solution for those looking for an alternative to traditional salon setups. Ellen Cummings explores the experts’ top tips for creating a garden salon

For beauty professionals Smita Ahluwalia (owner of Smita London in North London) and Louise Tilden (who runs Louise Tilden Beauty Therapy in Somerset), setting up a home salon in the garden offered the perfect balance between work and home life.

“When I first looked out at the garden, it was calling out for a cottage salon to be set up at the end of the garden. It just seemed ready-made for it,” says Ahluwalia, who is also a Professional Beauty Awards judge.

She explains how her garden salon provides the separation she needs to maintain boundaries between work and family life. “It’s wonderful to have a workspace that’s not directly connected to the house – it offers clients a level of privacy they appreciate, too.”

For Tilden, a finalist for Mobile/Homebased Beauty Business of the Year at the PB Awards 2025, the decision to build a garden salon was influenced by personal circumstances. “My husband has a heart condition, and the Covid-19 pandemic changed everything for us. Having previously had treatment rooms in our home, we decided the time had come to move the business out of the house.”

Planning your garden salon build

Securing planning permission: Before breaking ground, it’s crucial to understand your local council’s planning requirements.

“We went for the largest size that planning would allow,” says Ahluwalia, highlighting the importance of staying within regulations to avoid future issues.

Tilden also underscores the value of understanding “permitted development rights”, which can save both time and costs. She adds, “Even if you’re within permitted rights, it’s worth documenting everything to avoid disputes with neighbours or local authorities.”

Designing the space: Creating a functional, comfortable and aesthetically pleasing salon space is essential.

For Ahluwalia, the practicalities of heating, plumbing, ventilation and a toilet were priorities.

“Good ventilation is crucial to avoid damp, especially in a garden structure. And don’t underestimate how much clients will appreciate having a toilet on-site.”

Tilden designed her salon to include two distinct spaces: one for treatments and another as a personal retreat. “The internal layout was designed to offer two very separate spaces, giving total privacy for clients and allowing me to shut off from work on my days off,” she explains.

Overcoming challenges: Building a garden salon comes with its fair share of obstacles. Ahluwalia encountered issues with waste drainage due to her garden’s lower level compared to the house. “We had to install a pump system to connect to the house drainage, which was 40 metres away. It added complexity and cost but was necessary for the setup to function properly.”

Tilden faced unreliable tradespeople and initial neighbour concerns. She explains, “We received a letter from the council’s planning department, but once we provided evidence that our build fell within permitted development rights, the issue was resolved.”

Budgeting and hidden costs

Unexpected expenses can quickly add up, so careful budgeting is essential. Ahluwalia advises beauty professionals to plan for costs beyond the structure itself.

“Plumbing, electrics, drainage, insulation and building a foundation were all significant expenses. It’s important to account for these in your budget from the outset,” she says.

Meanwhile, Tilden highlights the importance of investing in climate-control units, explaining, “While they were a significant cost, they’re invaluable for keeping the salon comfortable for clients year-round.”

Creating a client-friendly environment

As with any beauty business, a successful garden salon should strike a balance between being welcoming and professional.

Ahluwalia suggests adding thoughtful amenities like a reception area, a bathroom and a utility space for laundry. She says, “A separate utility room means you don’t need to drag laundry across the garden – it’s a small addition that makes a big difference.”

Tilden focuses on ambiance. “Functional and ambient lighting, climate control and easy-to-clean floors are essential features.

“The space should feel luxurious and comfortable for clients while being practical for the therapist.”

Managing work-life balance

One of the biggest challenges of running a home-based salon is maintaining boundaries between work and personal life.

Ahluwalia admits that this can be tricky. “Clients sometimes assume I’m available all the time since I’m at home. Setting boundaries has been an ongoing challenge.”

Tilden takes a more structured approach. “I only reply to messages during working hours unless it’s essential. When I’m on holiday, I ensure my out-of-office is active and encourage clients to plan their appointments in advance.”

So, whether you’re looking to enhance your work-life balance or take your beauty business to the next level, a garden salon could be the solution. As Ahluwalia concludes, “The garden salon has been a game-changer for me. It’s a space where I can focus entirely on my clients, knowing my family life is just a few steps away.”

Tax considerations

Ria-Jaine Lincoln, known as The Beauty Accountant, breaks down the key considerations, common misconceptions and practical advice about tax.

When claiming tax relief, HMRC states that expenses must be incurred wholly and exclusively for the purpose of the trade. If an expense has dual purposes, the portion clearly attributed to the business may be allowable. Here are some common expenses and their tax treatments:

1. Building/structural costs: These are not reclaimable. While they can be paid through the business, there is no tax relief available. Structuring the project differently might offer better options.

2.Integral features: Expenses such as electrical systems or cold water installations are generally allowable.

3. Fixtures and fittings: Items that would fall out of the salon if it were shaken – like furniture, beauty beds and storage units – are usually allowable.

4. Trade equipment: Equipment used during trade is allowable but must be apportioned for any private use.

5. Ambiance items: Within reason, items creating ambiance, such as decorative mirrors or artwork, are allowable for salons but not always accepted in other industries.

6. Insurance: Fully or partially allowable, depending on private use.

7. Telephone and internet: Allowable but must be apportioned for private use.

8. Plumbing costs: Generally allowable but require tailored guidance.

9. Rent: If a limited company pays rent to the homeowner for the salon space, this is an allowable expense for the company. The income must be declared personally.

10. Planning permission fees: Typically not tax deductible, depending on individual circumstances.

11. Fixed costs of the home: Expenses like council tax, mortgage interest and water bills may be apportioned based on the area and time allocated to business use.

Lincoln stresses the importance of accurate bookkeeping and understanding allowable expenses. She explains, “It’s essential to separate business and personal expenses to avoid issues with HMRC. Using tools like Quickbooks can simplify this process.” She also highlights a common misconception: “Many people believe building costs are reclaimable, but that’s not the case. This can be a costly misunderstanding.”

To further clarify, Lincoln advises salon owners to “itemise invoices carefully, especially if you’re VAT-registered. This ensures transparency and compliance”. On the topic of capital gains tax, she says, “Exclusive business use could trigger tax liabilities when selling your home. Combining personal and business use can mitigate this risk.”

Finally, Lincoln encourages proactive planning: “Don’t just rely on your accountant to file returns – ensure they understand your business structure and goals. This collaboration is key to long-term tax efficiency.”

Given the complexities of tax laws, Lincoln suggests beauty professionals should seek advice tailored to their circumstances. As Lincoln says, “The best advice comes from those with the right expertise and credentials.”