Space
A private room or cubicle per sunbed, with clearance for ventilation and servicing.
Guide for salon owners · September 2026
Adding sunbeds to a beauty salon, gym or hair salon
Spare floor space is a cost until it earns. Tanning is one of the few services that does not need another therapist to deliver it.
The short answer
You need a room of about 2.0m × 1.8m for a stand up or 2.5m × 2.5m for a lay down, a 3-phase electrical supply, ventilation, and staff trained on age checks and safe use. Equipment starts from £5,000 + VAT, or from £220 + VAT per month on finance, subject to status.
Why existing businesses add tanning
Empire was a beauty salon with a significant amount of unused floor space. Rather than create more treatment rooms and take on the work of managing more appointment-led services, the owner looked at making the space work harder. He had no previous experience of tanning.
We guided him from concept to opening, focused on quality over quantity, with an initial three bed premium setup: a megaSun K9S, an Ergoline Lightvision and a J Sunbeds Zenith Series. Three months later he added a fourth sunbed, and the salon is now preparing space for two more lay down units.
What you need to check first
The same things as a new salon, on a smaller scale.
Power and air
3-phase supply, a rotary isolator per unit and an extraction route. See power and ventilation.
Rules
Under-18 ban, supervision and information requirements. See UK regulations. Tell your insurer and check your lease.
Staff
Reception staff need training on ID checks, skin typing and safe operation. We provide training at installation.
Start small, with good equipment
One or two well-chosen sunbeds will tell you quickly whether your customers want tanning. Choose equipment that reflects the standard of the rest of your business: a tired sunbed in a premium beauty salon damages the brand. Leasing keeps the upfront cost low while you find out.
FAQ
Adding sunbeds: common questions
Can I put a sunbed in my beauty salon?
Yes, if you have a suitable room, the electrical supply and ventilation, and you comply with UK sunbed regulations. Check your lease and tell your insurer.
How much does it cost to add a sunbed to a salon or gym?
Commercial stand up sunbeds start from £5,000 + VAT and lay down sunbeds from £10,500 + VAT, or from £220 + VAT per month on finance, subject to status. Electrical and ventilation work is additional and depends on your building.
Do I need extra staff?
Usually not. Several sunbeds can be supervised from reception, which is a large part of the appeal compared with adding treatment rooms.
Is one sunbed enough?
It is enough to test demand. Empire started with three and is building to six. Plan the power and space so that adding more is straightforward.
Keep reading
More guides for salon owners
Guide
Sunbed salon regulations in the UK: licences, age limits and what is changing
What the law requires of a tanning salon in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, in plain English.
Guide
How much does it cost to open a tanning salon in the UK?
The equipment prices are fixed and published. Everything else depends on your unit. Here is how to build the budget.
Guide
Are tanning salons profitable? What actually drives the numbers
Nobody can honestly promise you a figure. What we can show you is how the model works and what real customers did.
Talk it through
Tell us about your salon, your room and your budget
Free consultation with a supplier who installs, services and supports what it sells.
Book free consultation Client feedback
What salon owners say
Real feedback from people who’ve bought beds, had installs and trained with Julita’s team.
“I had a pleasure to deal with j solution. Best in the business. Have few sunbeds bought and assembled by the company. Never had any issues with the equipment. They would also advise what’s new on the market. Thank you kindly”
“I’ve had a great experience working with J Solutions. They are extremely knowledgeable when it comes to sunbeds, lotions, and overall salon setup. From installation to training days, everything was handled professionally and efficiently. The team took the time to explain everything clearly, making sure I felt confident using the equipment and products. Highly recommend J Solutions to anyone looking for reliable support, quality products, and expert guidance within the tanning industry.”
“The salon looks absolutely stunning – it’s on a completely different level. Everything feels premium and high quality, especially the tanning beds. From a staff and client perspective, the investment was 100% worth it. I also received extremely detailed and professional training on tanning, skin types and safety. The support doesn’t stop after delivery. Highly recommended.”
Happy with your install or support?