Convenience, long-term cost savings, privacy and motivation… there are plenty of reasons why to create a home gym. But to create a space you’ll actually use, you’ll need to do better than just put a treadmill in your spare room! Thankfully it’s relatively easy to create a home workout space, you just need a bit of planning and thoughtful interior design. Here’s how!
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1. Define how you’ll use the space
Before doing anything, ask yourself: What kind of workouts do I want to do at home?
- Yoga or pilates? You’ll need open floor space, natural light, and a calming atmosphere.
- Weights and strength training? Prioritise sturdy flooring, storage for dumbbells, and mirrors for checking your form.
- Cardio? Think treadmills, spin bikes, or rowers — and the right positioning to avoid feeling cramped.
- Mix of everything? Plan for zones — a clear space for mat work, an equipment zone, and storage for accessories.
This decision will guide your layout, flooring, and even lighting choices.
2. Map out your floor plan and choose the right flooring
Once you’ve decided how you want to use your home gym, it’s time to plan your zones. A great way to do this is with bubble mapping: measure your space, sketch a simple floor plan, and use circles to represent different workout areas. This approach lets you experiment with layouts and identify any issues before moving a single piece of equipment. For example, keeping the area near the doorway clear makes sense for easy entry so this is an ideal spot for stretching or mat work.
Choose the right flooring for your different home gym zones:
- high-impact zones (for cardio or weights) need shock-absorbing flooring — think rubber mats or interlocking foam tiles to protect your floors and joints
- stretch and yoga zones can have timber, vinyl, or even polished concrete, topped with luxe mats for comfort
- if your gym shares space with another room (like a garage), choose flooring that’s easy to remove or reconfigure when needed.
3. Design your walls to work hard
Using the vertical space in your home gym isn’t just a smart use of space, it also elevates the look (literally!). You can give your home gym that luxe gym aesthetic by using your walls to store gym essentials — it’s storage and style combined.
Use your walls to:
- hang storage racks for weights, resistance bands, and yoga mats
- install large mirrors to reflect natural light, make the space feel bigger, and allow you to check your form
- mount a TV if you prefer to workout to a show or will watch lessons/tutorials over listen to music
- add a feature wall with timber panelling, calming colours or something more creative.
Design tip: If your space is small or you prefer a minimalist aesthetic, opt for concealed wall storage for a sleek, clutter-free look.
4. Prioritise ventilation and airflow
Good ventilation and airflow is essential to make your workouts more comfortable and avoid the risk of your home gym developing the RL gym scent — no thank you!
Best ways to achieve airflow in your home gym:
- include windows on opposite walls for cross-ventilation
- add ceiling fans or air-conditioning for climate control
- if windows aren’t an option, consider air purifiers to keep the space fresh and dust-free.
5. Get smart with multifunctional solutions
If space is tight, multifunctional design is key. This is all about selecting pieces that can serve more than one function, or easily move or fold away.
Smart home gym solutions include:
- a foldaway wall-mounted bench that can double as a worktop when not in use
- ottomans or benches with hidden storage for towels and accessories
- all-in-one equipment like adjustable dumbbells or resistance band systems that save space.
6. Add small design details for a luxe feel
When you look through these inspo pics, it’s probably the small details that catch your eye or give the sense of the spaces looking luxe. The little things take your gym from functional to fabulous!
Design accents worth investing in:
- built-in joinery for towels, duffle bag, water bottles, and foam rollers keeps everything organised
- statement lighting like LED strip lights or dimmable sconces adds ambience and helps set the mood. LED lights can look particularly good behind a mirror and the soft backlighting creates an inviting mood
- feature wall in timber or textured paint can warm up the space and make it feel intentional.
7. Style it like any other room in your home
Just because it’s a gym doesn’t mean it should feel cold or clinical.
Home gym styling checklist:
- lush indoor plants for freshness and a pop of greenery
- artwork or mirror to decorate your walls
- stylish baskets for storage
- quality towels for a spa-like touch (watch how to roll a towel for the perfect look).
Has this article inspired your home gym design? Tell us your fave tip or idea in the comments below.
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