Interior Designer Juliette Byrne On How To Design The Ultimate Home Gym

From the rise of home cinemas to the expansion of home bars, it seems we’re all happier than ever in the comfort of our own homes these days. And if you’ve got an intense session in the gym ahead of you, it makes sense that you’d want to preserve your precious energy with a workout close to home. Enter: the home gym.

Interior designer Juliette Byrne recently flexed her design muscles when she created a ‘super gym’ for the contortionist owner of a Belgravia townhouse, including dedicated zones for strength training, Pilates, yoga, barre and recovery, each meticulously planned to align with the client’s personal trainer programme. That’s right: when you’re designing a home gym for the elite, a rowing machine, treadmill and dumbells scattered across the spare bedroom simply isn’t going to cut it.

Stretching herself (as a designer, of course) Juliette considered aspects such as an enhanced flexibility zone and specialist flooring to support her client’s extreme mobility and movement requirements. Illuminated with sculptural lighting and styled-out with a chaise longue for post-session relaxation, Byrne sought to blend elegance and function in her design.

Often incorporating spa-grade facilities (think steam rooms, infrared saunas, plunge pools and recovery suites), we asked Juliette how we can all make our home gyms a cut above the high street offerings. 

How The 0.1 Percent Do Home Gyms

Why do you think people are increasingly creating dedicated gym spaces in their homes?

Wellness is one of the ultimate expressions of luxury. For our clients, it’s no longer just about having a room with a treadmill, they want a space that truly supports every aspect of their physical and mental health. During the pandemic there’s been a huge shift toward creating sanctuaries within the home. People are seeing their gym not just as a place to sweat but as an investment in longevity and self-care. Dedicated wellness spaces let you work out on your own terms, in privacy, with equipment and an ambiance tailored entirely to your needs.

How do you decide where is best in your home to set up a gym?

Our team at Juliette Byrne start by looking at the flow of the house. Basements can work beautifully because you can control lighting and acoustics easily and they’re tucked away from the main living areas, giving clients peace and quiet. We’ve also created outdoor gyms and garden studios, which feel wonderfully connected to nature. The key is to choose somewhere that doesn’t fight the rest of the home and where we can create an intentional, inspiring atmosphere rather than a dark afterthought.

When designing a gym, how do you work with the client to ensure the space meets their fitness goals?

Each project begins with a deep dive into the client’s training regime. For the Belgravia townhouse project, for example, the owners are contortionists, so as a Juliette Byrne team we created dedicated flexibility zones with specialist flooring that could withstand extreme mobility exercises. Their space includes areas for weightlifting, barre, yoga and even a punching bag, all laid out to work seamlessly with their personal trainer’s programme. This bespoke approach means no two gyms we design are ever the same. The gym is so stylish you can even read a book in there!

Many gyms can feel clinical or uninspiring: how do you pair aesthetics with function?

Aesthetics should never compromise performance. We use luxurious yet practical finishes, sprung wooden floors, slip-resistant surfaces and acoustic oak panelling so the space feels warm and elegant but performs like a professional gym. Lighting is sculptural and layered to create atmosphere and we often integrate a chaise longue or seating area for stretching, reading or cooling down post-session.

How should we settle on materials and a colour palette?

Natural, tactile materials always work well, think warm timbers, matte finishes and tonal colours that feel calming rather than jarring. We do like to make gyms a little bit glam sometimes with gold edging. If you want energy, add colour through accessories or art rather than committing to something that may feel overpowering in a few years.

What are your top lighting tips for home gyms?

Lighting is crucial. We combine functional task lighting with softer, ambient options to create flexibility for different workouts. Cove lighting, dimmable LEDs and even concealed RGB options allow you to change the mood bright and energising for a morning session, or warmer and lower for yoga or stretching.

How do you design a gym to remain a meditative, distraction-free space?

Soundproofing is essential. We build it into walls, ceilings and doors where possible. We also avoid clutter; in the gyms we design everything has a place, from the strength training weights to bespoke joinery or discreet equipment storage. Good ventilation and air filtration keep the environment fresh and comfortable, which is just as important as the look of the space.

What aspects do people often overlook when designing a home gym?

Flooring is a big one, it needs to be supportive and resilient but also aesthetically in line with the rest of the home. People also underestimate the importance of acoustics and climate control – you want to feel comfortable year-round, whether you’re doing a HIIT class or restorative yoga.

How do you get the tech right? 

We often integrate wall-mounted mirrors that double as smart fitness screens, hidden speakers and climate systems that maintain the perfect temperature. It’s about keeping everything seamless and intuitive; you shouldn’t have to think about the tech, it should just work.

What are your top tips for creating a dedicated wellness space?

Think of your gym as more than a workout room: it’s a sanctuary. Include a relaxation corner, perhaps with a chaise longue or meditation cushion, and use materials that engage the senses. Layered lighting, a soothing palette, good air quality and discreet tech all contribute to a space where you genuinely want to spend time.

Find out more at juliettebyrne.com