Updated on Apr. 21, 2024
Home gyms are hotter than ever for ripping reps to mastering meditation. Here are our best paint color picks for setting personal records.
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For more intense workout rooms, go with energetic colors like reds and oranges, says Old Crow Painting‘s Travis Nolan. “These will help evoke energetic feelings, giving you that extra psychological boost to power through your reps,” Nolan says. His pick: Emotional from Sherwin-Williams. “It’s a good choice that incorporates red and orange hues,” he says.
“If high-impact cardio is your workout choice, you’re going to want an energizing color like orange in the room,” says Jamie Gold, a Mayo Clinic-certified wellness coach and author of Wellness by Design: A Room-by-Room Guide to Optimizing Your Home for Health, Fitness and Happiness (Tiller Press).
Gold referenced Colour in Interior Design, by Karen Haller, which says orange conveys a sense of warmth, fun and physical comfort — a strong combination for a knockout home workout.
For a more relaxing environment, peaceful and optimistic colors are great, Nolan says. For that reason, one of his picks is white. “It can be accented with lots of greenery and gemstones,” he says. “In fact, Sherwin-Williams has a whole collection of white paints they suggest specifically for this purpose, fittingly referred to as Yoga Whites.”
MC Design founder Megan Dufresne adds, “Clean white walls are the go-to for home gyms. White walls minimize distraction, allowing you to do what you came there to do, work! My favorite white is Dunn Edwards Swiss Coffee.”
Sage green paint is soothing, says Gold. This is most likely because we connect it to nature and natural surroundings, a natural human affinity called biophilia. So for those practicing Sun Salutations and Savasana, this color can be a great option.
“For a home gym where you know you’re going to make your body temperature rise, using a shade of blue will visually keep your gym feeling cool,” says interior designer Maureen Stevens. For many, blue can elicit a feeling of calm, composure or concentration, which is great for focusing on fitness.
When considering paint colors, consider your surroundings. Note how much sunlight comes through the windows when you normally work out, Gold says. Some colors create high energy, like bright yellow, but it can also add to the rooms “heat.” Plan your color shade accordingly.
“I love the color Peace and Happiness by Benjamin Moore,” Stevens says. “It’s a calming lavender, perfect for a yoga or meditation room. Lavender is an uplifting and optimistic color, and it’s also inspiring.”
OK, it’s also white (or clear), but consider dry-erase paint’s possibilities, Dufresne says. “You’ll be creating a writing surface to jot down workout plans or motivational quotes,” she says. With this unusual paint, there’s no better way to keep track of your personal records and keep your eyes on the finish line. While you’re at it, get to know about these laundry room colors.
