Floor plans for groomers are rare. There is a very basic one in the book From Problems to Profits for small to medium grooming shops, possibly a home-based business. It is accompanied with safety information that pertains to the layout too. Therefore it is simple, but more than adequate for small shops and garage conversions into home businesses.

The good news is that Grooming Business in a Box is going to release advanced floor plans in late 2010 along with a design guide. In the meantime consultants at Find A Groomer Inc. are providing complimentary reviews of your floor plans. See www.groomingbusinessinabox.com for details.

When you develop a floor plan, don't forget safety. In fact, safety is everything to a large degree in a grooming business. If you are a one person business you must be able to see the entirety of your environment at all times from your workstation. Pets that get into trouble, such as cage dryers, must be in full view. So often caging is placed where no one can monitor pets, and that's a tremendous risk, and absolutely inexcusable for cage driers. Plot where you will be in your work day such as the tub, table and front reception counter. From those locations can you keep an eye on ALL pets? If so, your floor plan is working to your benefit.

If you are looking for kennel/boarding floor plans check out www.abka.com for assistance.

Colors and Surfaces

It may seem as if you are always cleaning an environment where pets are. Well, you are. Therefore you need to ensure that the surfaces hold up well to repeat cleaning. If you are laying linoleum, get high traffic capable linoleum or you may have to replace it within 2 to 4 years. Male dogs lift legs to soil counters and even retail displays. You may need to protect surfaces from staining and wear as best possible. Consider all the surfaces in your pet business from walls, countertops, tables, cages to furniture and fixtures.
Colors affect the mood of your business. You may want to study color psychology, even for animal care environments. There are studies of the effects of colors on animals. Whatever is soothing is best to help mitigate separation anxiety from their owners. Your color palette should help communicate cleanliness. Whether they say anything or you notice, customers are using their five senses judging the sights, smells and sounds of your business. You want to imply clean, sanitary and fresh.

Separate Cattery Accommodations and Grooming

If you are going to groom cats you also need to accommodate them differently than dogs. Not only will they be happier, but it will help make grooming them a bit easier for you. We strongly encourage you to build a small separate cattery style environment. It can be as small as 6 feet by 6 feet but 6 feet by 10 feet is the best size for a small cattery.

You will lodge and groom cats in the Cattery. Be sure to have a door and close it. Keep the sounds of dogs minimized at all times. We suggest putting in a window or two enabling the groomer to see outside as necessary. Use heavy glass to minimize sound leaking into the cattery. You can even add soundproofing materials on or inside walls.
You will need to install plumbing and a small tub. You want the cattery to be totally self-sufficient with no reason for dogs to be around cats in your care.

The extra effort is well worth it and you should promote the benefits of the cattery to your clients.