How to make a home gym look more expensive – 7 expert strategies for luxurious style in a practical space

If you prefer staying in to work out, the question of how to make a home gym look more expensive is a good one. Dedicate an area of your house to staying in shape and you’ll want it to have high-end style along with functionality.

Your home gym ideas might include making space for dumbbells, benches, mats, cardiovascular equipment, squat racks, and barbells, but whatever selection of equipment you need to fit, great design strategies can take the room from no-frills to luxurious.

And so going high end is easy, we asked interior professionals to reveal the secrets of luxe home gym design, and we’re sharing what they told us here.

1. Opt for chic storage

Considering how you stash the equipment and bath linens needed in a home gym can elevate it from functional to luxury. Storage is the perfect opportunity to bring in some of your own personal style into this very practical space, so definitely make it a chic addition.

‘I think beautiful storage (sightly baskets, etc) makes a home gym look more expensive,’ says Brelan Owen Pearson at Owen Group Interiors. She also recommends matching towels for a spa-like feel. Rolling rather than folding ensures they make a great display in built-in storage.

2. Focus on lighting

Plan the lighting design and choose the lights themselves as carefully as you would in any other room to make a gym look more expensive. ‘Bold, overscaled lighting in this gym makes a statement – more than just recessed cans in the ceiling would,’ says interior designer Colleen Simonds.

Think about maximizing the light, too. ‘Mirrors covering all the walls also expand the space and is a luxe touch,’ she says. ‘If you’re lucky to have natural light, and not be in a basement, all the better!’

3. Create privacy

Think about whether you’d rather keep your workouts to yourself for an expensive look. Privacy does often go hand in hand with luxury after all. There are plenty of ways to and some private zones in a home gym, whether it's with stylish room dividers or something even more elevated like the smart glass used in this home gym.

The glass in these doors moves from frosted to clear as required, keeping the area outside them full of daylight when the room isn’t in use. ‘Special features like smart glass can create instant privacy for the gym,’ explains Eva Andersen, CEO and principal designer of Gilded Antler.

4. Get the layout right

For a luxury gym design plan the layout to take advantage of outdoor views. ‘Positioning cardio machines like treadmills or ellipticals along a window with a view can significantly enhance the workout experience,’ explains Ignacio Rodriguez of IR Architects, and firm lead interior designer Eileen Carter.

‘This setup provides a visual escape and also connects people with the outdoors, making an exercise routine more enjoyable and less monotonous. Ensure the equipment is aligned to maximize the view, creating a focal point that draws the eye and elevates the gym’s luxury appeal.’

5. Incorporate a refreshment station

Make sure you can stay hydrated in style if you want high-end credentials for your home gym. ‘Add a custom-built refreshment station, complete with a sleek beverage cooler and organized storage,’ advises Greg Roth, Sr, interior designer at CarbonShack Design.

The counter above can be used for a coffee machine and healthy post-workout fruit, too, along with indoor plants or fresh flowers for an extra luxurious touch. They can improve the atmosphere of a home gym and add an organic contrast to the hard metals of the room.

6. Add a rug

The flooring selected for a home gym can make the space look more expensive as well as affect how the space looks, feels, and even sounds, so it's important to get right.

Brelan Owen Pearson has used ‘indoor-outdoor polypropylene carpet instead of typical black rubber flooring for an upscale residential feel’. And Victoria Holly at Victoria Holly Interiors recommends ‘wall-to-wall vinyl gym matting. This has an even nicer look than the puzzle piece gym flooring and can be installed wall to wall like carpeting,’ she explains.

Alternatively, opt for an on-trend area rug to elevate the space – especially if the home gym is in a multi-use space. ‘We’re continuing to see homeowners adapt their spaces for multiple use cases,’ says Katherine Cohen, associate creative director at FLOR. In this scenario, an area rug can be the ideal solution complementing the decor and adding luxe to the gym. Just make sure to choose an easy-clean design like the one above.

7. Focus on walls

Paying attention to the walls of a home gym can give the space an expensive finish. 'Incorporate luxe materials for an accent wall or walls like using wood-panelling, large format stone, plaster finishes, or custom millwork for a polished look,’ says Victoria Holly.

‘This will break up all the drywall and help you make feature walls, whether for a fun neon sign or for storage. It also makes the space look more like a custom, high-end spa gym.’

A floral trail wallpaper, as seen above, is an option for a yoga or cool-down area, creating a relaxing vibe.

A home gym definitely doesn’t have to be utilitarian – even though it’s a space for exercise. Organizing a home gym successfully will keep it looking stylish however much use it sees, and cleaning a home gym effectively will ensure the space stays hygienic as well as high-end.