Our home gym design mood board, plans, and demo in our pool shed to turn it into a workout room.
We’ve officially started the transformation of our pool shed into a compact home gym—demolition is complete and the design process is underway.
If you missed last week’s post, I shared a roundup of inspiring workout rooms that helped shape our ideas as we rework the shed into a functional fitness space.
Here’s what the shed looked like before we began.
And this is where we are now after removing the pegboard, interior walls, and ceiling. The project has grown beyond initial plans, but in the best possible way: it’s opening up more possibilities for layout, storage, and lighting.
Our garage has become a temporary staging ground while we reorganize tools and storage. It’s a bit chaotic, but progress is being made.
This week the main focus has been raising the ceiling to create a greater feeling of height and to accommodate overhead movements and equipment. The shed is surprisingly small—too narrow for a standard wide-angle photo—so visual tricks, light paint, and mirrors will help it feel larger.
Even so, we’re confident we can pack a lot of functionality into this compact footprint by prioritizing multi-use zones and smart storage.
Below is the overall design direction and the mood board that will guide finishes, fixtures, and equipment placement.
Home Gym Mood Board
- Brick walls – We’ll use white-painted faux brick paneling to add texture and reflect light, helping the space feel brighter and more open.
- Industrial fan and light – A ceiling fan with an integrated light or retractable blades will provide airflow and an industrial aesthetic suited to a gym environment.
- Mirrors – Full-height or wall mirrors are essential for checking form and visually expanding the room. We’re considering subtle LED backlighting for ambiance and extra illumination.
- Plants – A floor plant (and a smaller shelf plant) will introduce a touch of greenery to soften the industrial finishes and add life to the space.
- Gym flooring – Interlocking padded floor tiles will protect the subfloor, reduce noise, and offer joint-friendly cushioning for workouts.
- Open shelving – Sturdy shelves will corral kettlebells, dumbbells, resistance bands, and other small equipment while keeping the floor clear.
- Bluetooth speaker – A compact speaker on the shelf will provide music and motivation during workouts.
- Mini fridge – A small fridge for chilled water bottles and recovery drinks will make the space more convenient and comfortable.
- Cube storage and wire baskets – These add flexible storage for towels, accessories, and smaller items so everything has a place.
- Artwork – A few vintage workout prints and motivational pieces will personalize the space and create a gym atmosphere that feels intentional.
We already have more equipment ready to install, including a squat rack, weights, and a cardio bike. The plan is to position the rack and heavier equipment near the structural wall for stability and keep a clear central area for mobility, stretching, and bodyweight work.
Robert is especially excited about this build—if his expression in the photo is any indication. He’s been training and coaching in our garage for years, and with an exercise science degree, he knows how to set up a functional and safe workout environment. This dedicated gym will be a huge improvement.
Right now it’s dusty and raw, but the end goal is a bright, efficient workout room with durable finishes, smart storage, and enough equipment for strength and cardio sessions. We’ll optimize lighting, ventilation, and acoustic considerations so the shed feels comfortable year-round.
Have you converted a small space into a home gym? We’d love to hear suggestions for space-saving storage, mirror placement, or clever equipment layouts that worked for you.
