Hairstylist Tray vs. Full Rolling Cart: What’s the Difference and Which One Is Right for You?
As a hairstylist, having the right tools at your disposal is crucial to delivering high-quality services efficiently. Whether you’re cutting, coloring, or styling, being organized and mobile helps you stay on top of your game. When it comes to choosing between a hairstylist tray and a full rolling cart, the decision can depend on the size of your salon, your work habits, and the services you offer.
In this post, we’ll break down the key differences between these two essential pieces of salon furniture, helping you decide which one is best suited for your needs.
1. Size and Portability: Compact Tray vs. Spacious Cart
A hairstylist tray is typically smaller and more compact, designed for mobility and easy access to your essential tools. It usually features one or two layers with compartments to keep things organized and close by. The focus is on providing a portable surface that you can move from station to station, making it ideal for stylists who work in smaller salons or frequently move between clients.
A full rolling cart, on the other hand, is larger and offers significantly more storage space. With multiple drawers, shelves, and compartments, a rolling cart is designed to hold everything you need—from hot tools to brushes, towels, and even larger bottles of product. However, it’s bulkier, making it more suited for stylists who work in bigger salons or prefer to stay at one station for extended periods.
2. Organization and Storage: Minimalist vs. Maximum Capacity
If you’re the type of stylist who prefers a minimal setup with just the essentials, a hairstylist tray is a great choice. It’s perfect for holding the most-used tools like scissors, combs, clips, and a color bowl, allowing you to work efficiently without clutter. The tray’s open design means everything is within easy reach, making it ideal for quick jobs or smaller tasks.
On the other hand, a full rolling cart is built for maximum organization. With multiple drawers, tiered shelving, and larger compartments, a cart offers plenty of room to store all your equipment. You can dedicate different sections for coloring tools, hot tools, towels, and more. This is especially useful if you offer a wide range of services and need various products and tools readily available at all times.
3. Mobility: Easy Movement vs. Limited Flexibility
When it comes to mobility, a hairstylist tray excels. With its lightweight frame and wheels, it’s easy to move from one client to the next, whether you’re blow-drying, cutting, or coloring. The tray’s portability is a major advantage in busy salons where stylists need flexibility and the ability to adapt quickly to different tasks.
While a rolling cart also features wheels for mobility, its larger size can make it less convenient to move around frequently. It’s better suited for situations where you set up a workstation and stay in one place, moving tools in and out of the cart as needed. For stylists who prefer to have everything within arm’s reach but don’t require constant movement, the rolling cart is a solid option.
4. Versatility: Task-Specific vs. All-in-One
A hairstylist tray is often more task-specific, allowing you to bring exactly what you need for a particular job. Whether you’re focusing on cuts, colors, or blowouts, you can customize your tray to suit the task at hand. This makes it a great choice for stylists who handle one type of service at a time and need to stay mobile.
By contrast, a full rolling cart serves as an all-in-one solution. It’s versatile enough to store everything you need for a full day of clients, regardless of the services you’re providing. From color treatments to blow-drying, a cart’s extra storage ensures you’re never without the tools you need, making it ideal for stylists who juggle multiple services and want everything in one place.
5. Space Requirements: Compact or Expansive?
If you’re working in a smaller salon with limited space, a hairstylist tray is the better choice. Its compact design allows it to fit easily in tight spaces, and you can tuck it away when not in use. This is a huge benefit for salons where floor space is at a premium.
On the other hand, a full rolling cart requires more room. With its multiple drawers and shelves, it’s best suited for larger salons with plenty of space for a dedicated workstation. While the added storage is a plus, you’ll need to ensure your salon has the square footage to accommodate a cart without crowding the space.