Before and After: This Unfinished “Dungeon” Becomes Something Dreamy
This “room” was described by its new owner as “a dungeon of a space underneath the garage that was large and dirt-filled,” but being a designer and, some would say, visionary, she saw a dreamy home gym-to-be.
This really is a dream gym. Seriously, that floor! It’s the visual equivalent of an ultimate workout jam, and it practically makes one want to start jumping around. The black wall (as well as the interspersed black tiles and TV) adds an adult edge to the playful, colorful floor. It’s an exciting room, and anything that gets one excited about working out is a win. This home gym is far, far more attractive than most professional gyms that charge a ton of money each month, thanks to designer Kelly Finley of Joy Street Design. This happens to be Kelly’s home, and it’s always fascinating to see what designers design for themselves. This room is, in short, fantastic.
The yellow ceiling is energizing, especially if one is lying on their back doing crunches and such. The reflective rectangle above the bench is a Tonal, a high-tech workout device. And in the corner are two adjustable dumbbell sets, which are great space savers, as they can go from light to massively heavy with just a click.
See the white board there reflected in the mirror? It’s a great place to write out workout plans and motivational quotes, but in a stroke of genius, Kelly designed it to slide across the storage area, covering the (inevitable) mess within. The cubby is perfect for holding things like stretch bands, yoga mats, speakers, and such, and the sliding cover means it doesn’t all have to be carefully arranged.
And above the mirror is a glimpse of a television, in a spot in which it can be seen from anywhere in the room. Workout shows—you know, the TV shows you only watch during exercise—are great motivators to fitness, and while they can be watched on a phone, a full-size TV is a treat.
A ballet barre is a great addition to a workout room, even for non-ballerinas. It’s helpful for warmups and stretches, and the barre only extends into the room a few inches.
The door there is actually the only way into the gym. There’s no way to enter the space directly from the house, but this door is right off the deck. It’s actually serendipitous, as the psychological effect of “going to the gym” is very powerful and can help keep workouts focused. And by choosing a mostly glass door, Kelly has added a feeling of bike riding out in nature.
Thank you, Kelly Finley of Joy Street Design!