Ask Difference

Parlor vs. Salon — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 1, 2023
A parlor is a room in a house for receiving guests; a salon is a commercial establishment offering beauty or grooming services.

Difference Between Parlor and Salon

ADVERTISEMENT

Key Differences

A parlor is traditionally a formal room in a residential setting, used for entertaining guests. A salon, on the other hand, is typically a commercial establishment where beauty or grooming services are provided.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023
The term parlor often evokes a sense of antiquity and is associated with older homes. Salons, however, are modern spaces, frequented for haircuts, styling, and other beauty treatments.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023
In historical context, parlors were essential in homes for social gatherings. Modern salons serve as social hubs too, but their primary focus is on personal care services.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023
While a parlor is more about the ambiance and social interaction, a salon emphasizes personal grooming, beauty, and wellness services.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023
The functionality of a parlor is largely static, centered around hosting and relaxation. In contrast, a salon offers dynamic services that change with fashion and beauty trends.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT

Comparison Chart

Setting

Residential
Commercial
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023

Primary Use

Entertaining guests
Providing beauty/grooming services
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023

Historical Context

Associated with older, formal homes
Modern establishments
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023

Focus

Social interaction, ambiance
Personal care, grooming
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023

Functionality

Static, for hosting and relaxation
Dynamic, following trends in beauty and grooming
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT

Compare with Definitions

Parlor

Antique Room
The Victorian house had an elegant parlor.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023

Salon

Hairdresser's Place
The new hair salon had modern equipment.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023

Parlor

Funeral Home Room
The viewing was held in the funeral parlor.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023

Salon

Nail Care Center
They offered nail services at the salon.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023

Parlor

Ice Cream Shop
We visited the local ice cream parlor.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023

Salon

Grooming Services
The salon provided both haircuts and shaves.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023

Parlor

Formal Sitting Room
They discussed business in the parlor.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023

Salon

An establishment where a hairdresser, beautician, or couturier conducts trade
A hairdressing salon
Have your hair cut in a professional salon
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Parlor

A room in a private home set apart for the entertainment of visitors.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Salon

A reception room in a large house.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Parlor

A small lounge or sitting room affording limited privacy, as at an inn or tavern.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Salon

An annual exhibition of the work of living artists held by the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture in Paris from 1648, originally in the Salon d'Apollon in the Louvre.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Parlor

A business establishment with one or more rooms equipped and furnished for a special function
A tanning parlor.
A funeral parlor.
An ice-cream parlor.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Salon

A large room, such as a drawing room, used for receiving and entertaining guests.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Parlor

The living room of a house, or a room for entertaining guests; a room for talking; a sitting-room or drawing room
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Salon

A periodic gathering of people of social or intellectual distinction.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Parlor

(archaic) The apartment in a monastery or nunnery where the residents are permitted to meet and converse with each other or with visitors from the outside.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Salon

A hall or gallery for the exhibition of works of art.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Parlor

(archaic) A comfortable room in a public house.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Salon

A commercial establishment offering a product or service related to fashion
A beauty salon.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Parlor

A covered open-air patio.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Salon

A large room, especially one used to receive and entertain guests.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Parlor

A shop or other business selling goods or services specified by context.
A tattoo parlor
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Salon

A gathering of people for a social or intellectual meeting.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Parlor

A shed used for milking cattle.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Salon

(arts) An art gallery or exhibition; especially the Paris salon or autumn salon.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Parlor

(Philippines) beauty parlor
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Salon

A beauty salon or similar establishment.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Parlor

A room for business or social conversation, for the reception of guests, etc.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Salon

An apartment for the reception of company; hence, in the plural, fashionable parties; circles of fashionable society.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Parlor

A room in an inn or club where visitors can be received.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Salon

An apartment for the reception and exhibition of works of art; hence, an annual exhibition of paintings, sculptures, etc., held in Paris by the Society of French Artists; - sometimes called the Old Salon. New Salon is a popular name for an annual exhibition of paintings, sculptures, etc., held in Paris at the Champs de Mars, by the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts (National Society of Fine Arts), a body of artists who, in 1890, seceded from the Société des Artistes Français (Society of French Artists).
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Parlor

Reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Salon

Gallery where works of art can be displayed
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Parlor

A room in a private house or establishment where people can sit and talk and relax
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Salon

A shop where hairdressers and beauticians work
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Parlor

Reception Room
The guests were seated in the parlor.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023

Salon

Elegant sitting room where guests are received
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2020

Salon

Beauty Shop
She booked an appointment at the salon.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023

Salon

Beauty Hub
The salon was known for its trendy styles.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023

Common Curiosities

Is a parlor a common feature in modern homes?

Less so; contemporary homes favor more versatile spaces.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023

Were parlors only in wealthy homes?

Initially, yes, but they became common in middle-class homes too.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023

Do salons offer only hair services?

No, salons often offer a range of beauty services.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023

Are parlors used for entertainment?

Historically, yes, especially for music and conversation.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023

Can a parlor function as a study?

Yes, in some homes, parlors double as studies.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023

Is a parlor the same as a living room?

Not exactly; parlors are more formal than typical living rooms.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023

Are salon services expensive?

Prices vary widely depending on the salon and services.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023

Did Victorian homes have multiple parlors?

Yes, some had separate parlors for men and women.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023

Can a parlor be used for dining?

Traditionally, parlors are for socializing, not dining.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023

Can a salon also be a spa?

Some salons offer spa services, but they're distinct entities.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023

Do salons offer makeup services?

Many salons do offer professional makeup services.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023

Are all beauty salons for women only?

No, many salons cater to all genders.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023

Can I get a massage at a salon?

Some salons offer massage services, but it's more common in spas.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023

Is a barbershop considered a salon?

Yes, barbershops are often classified as a type of salon.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023

Can a parlor be converted to a home office?

Yes, many homeowners repurpose parlors as home offices.
Tayyaba Rehman
Nov 01, 2023

Share Your Discovery

Share via Social Media
Embed This Content
Embed Code
Share Directly via Messenger
Link
⮪ Previous Comparison
Bluff vs. Bluster
Next Comparison ➦
Badminton vs. Cricket

Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

Popular Comparisons

Featured Comparisons

Trending Comparisons

New Phrases