From drab to fab: Gym room renovation plans

When we moved into our house, the smallest bedroom became a gym room by default. Measuring just 2.9×2.9m, it’s a compact space but perfectly suited for exercise. However, it’s time for an upgrade—not just for aesthetics but for practicality too. Let me take you through my plans to transform this little room into a more functional and vibrant little home gym.

Current situation

Currently, the gym room houses a few key essentials: Mr M’s rowing machine, a stationary bike and some free weights . The built-in wardrobe and cubby hole cabinet do a great job of keeping everything tidy and organised, so there’s no need to change the storage setup. The lighting also works perfectly fine. The ceiling spotlights provide even, functional light, which is exactly what you need for workouts, so there’s no need to mess with them.
But the rest of the room? It could definitely use some love.

Renovation Plans — **Gym Room – Before**

Flooring: A Practical Overhaul

Let’s talk about the floor. The thick plush carpet that’s in there now might be cosy, but it’s not gym-friendly. For now, we’ve been using temporary rubber tiles over the carpet, but they’re a constant hassle—they never seem to look neat and that drives me nuts.

I’m considering into these two options either of which’ll be a huge improvement for both practicality and style:

Wall-to-wall rubber flooring: It’s durable, professional-looking and perfect for a gym setup.
Hardwearing garage carpet: Potentially more cost effective and could be rather playful if I go with a bold colour, which feels tempting.

Adding a Splash of Colour

The space is crying out for some personality and I’m so ready to give it some. The plan? Wallpaper or colour blocking with paint! I want something fun and vibrant to energise the space and have already ordered and received some wallpaper samples:

Curtains Out, Roman Blinds In

The current curtains are completely wrong for the space. I’ll be swapping them out for sleek Roman blinds, which will suit the room much better. Since we’ve got a high boundary fence with a hedge providing privacy, I don’t need consider frosting the window panes or add opaque coverings.

Minimal Decoration and Practical Additions

Because it’s a gym room, I’ll keep the decorations minimal. Maybe just a couple of prints or perhaps a mirror — nothing too busy or cluttered. Functionality is the priority here. One little upgrade I’m adding is some hooks on the walls. These will be perfect for hanging towels and other small essentials. It’s a simple addition, but it’ll make a big difference in keeping the room organised. A standing fan might be added to the shopping list for that much needed airflow when working out.

Wrapping It Up

I’m really excited about these updates. Between the new flooring, playful walls and updated window coverings, this small room is going to feel so much more functional and energising. It’ll be a space that’s not only great for workouts but also fun and inviting. Who says a small room can’t make a big impact?