In the pink: setting up an inspiring home fitness area in your small space

Did you recently make a resolution to stay active, or get fit this year?

I am not a gym person, so I need to find mindful and creative ways to stay in shape. I've vowed to find my groove this year with online Pilates coaching. We have a small home, so it’s a challenge to find enough free space to make that happen regularly. 

And the other hurdle? Finding the internal discipline and motivation for regular exercise.  With these interior design tips, I’ll guide you toward creating a great-looking, practical space setup that keeps you inspired to make fitness a regular habit.

finding space for your workout

First, dedicate some space to your fitness routine. If it’s a common area, or multi-use room, be sure that you don’t have to move lots of items out of the way to begin your routine. Make it as easy as possible for yourself to get right into it.

Prepping your space may require some initial purging. Organize zones where family members can easily and regularly put away items, leaving a central open space large enough to accommodate your preferred exercise regimen. Also dedicate a small storage zone in that room for your fitness accessories, so that they remain close at hand.

If your fitness area is an extra bedroom, a great solution may be a Murphy bed, or a fold-out davenport sofa. This frees up floor space for your regular fitness routine, while still comfortably accommodating guests on an occasional basis.

stay inspired

Staying motivated to keep up with your fitness routine, isn't easy, so be sure to inspire yourself visually.

Whether it’s a quote, an inspiring photograph, or a note about your weekly reward, keep something beautiful in view. This will help maintain focus on your end goals.

in and out of sight

To maintain your good form, you’ll want to invest in a large-scale mirror. We all know how a well-placed mirror can visually expand a space and brighten a room. If a full mirrored wall is feasible and within budget, go for it.

But do consider what that mirror will reflect. Do you really want 2x all your fitness equipment, or other items that aren’t visually pleasing?  

You might want to consider an oversize decorative mirror, strategically located near your open weights or mat area. This de-emphasizes the fitness aspect of the room, and gives it more welcoming feel.

Put some thought into finding creative solutions for minimizing the equipment on display. You can’t hide an exercise bike or rowing machine, but you can elegantly stash yoga mats, towels, accessories and the like in open bins or in built-in cabinets. Consider how a few well-placed hooks can help the space remain organized and neat-looking. Perhaps the free weight caddy be rolled out from a closet when needed.

Putting effort into setting up a beautiful fitness space can inspire you to tackle your fitness goals with enthusiasm. I’m behind you all the way, and let’s say it together:  NO EXCUSES!

If you could use extra help to design and set up a fitness area in your small space, don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule a consultation. We’re also available to chat about full-service renovation and design offerings for the rest of your home. Talk soon!