Design Meets Wellness: Yoga Studio Design
If you’ve ever taken a yoga class, you know just how a tired body and mind find respite in a calm and inviting atmosphere. Considering just that, a yoga studio can be designed in a way that it offers an
At the first glance, designing a yoga studio may seem like a less demanding task, since it’s a space that usually requires very little use of furniture — but some features are essential; from great floor material and colour choices to a workable layout. Below we look at the basic guidelines that can turn any environment into a true oasis of calmness, peace and relaxation.
Space Consideration
Well laid-out space is important in yoga as it is in many other practises. When you plan out a design for a studio, space is one of the major elements that should be considered first. Simply put, place great emphasis on how the physical, psychological and spiritual needs of yoga guests can be met spatially.
Circulation
Great yoga studio design includes good flow within the building itself. Consider movement from the main entrance, to the central practice area as well as support rooms. Is there a reasonable flow within the space that encourages comfort and flexibility?
Air quality
Having pure and fresh air is important to consider since breath is a basis for development in yoga. Make sure there is cross-ventilation across the room for your students to enjoy each class to the fullest. For a successful yoga studio, you need a renewal of oxygen inside at all times to maintain a healthy, quality environment.
Acoustics
Great interior acoustics doesn’t necessarily mean absolute silence across the room. In fact, in many cases, a great many students and teachers of yoga believe in the idea to progress in spite of the ambient noise. The sounds of nature are believed to enhance certain different practices — a reason why some yoga studios integrate indoor courtyards or gardens.
Flooring material
The ideal flooring shouldn’t be too hard or too soft. The typical and perhaps excellent flooring material you will see in many yoga studios are laminate, hardwood, cork and bamboo. What special is, both cork and bamboo have an advantage in the co-friendly field, which is highly valued by yoga studio visitors who are conscious about preserving the environment. Avoid marble, carpets, tiles, vinyl, linoleum and concrete flooring.
Style and décor
Because yoga is such a soothing concept, the best atmospheres for it are ones that boost your sense of calm and help you step into a reflective and healing frame of mind. Details as basic as the room colour scheme and indoor plants can lend a layer of focus and relaxation to slide your attendees into a memorable yoga experience.
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Colour
The colour choice of your room can be mirrored throughout all elements of your yoga practice — like your soft furnishings and yoga mats — to give you an overall sensation of the colour’s effect as soon as you decide to tend to your daily yoga habits.Although there might be one specific colour that may stand out to each individual as soothing, there are plenty of across-the-board hues that can be noted for their calming qualities.
The most popular colours include white, shades of purple, light tones of pink and blue, and earthy green. If you wish to introduce bright colours, do so sparingly, ideally through accents such as yoga mats.
Greenery
Nature is always a great inspiration for the mind, body and spirit. Introducing calming greenery can quickly turn an average space into a real healthy sanctuary. Essentially, potted plants purify the air and enrich it with fresh, clean oxygen.
Decor
Lastly, less is more when it comes to studio aesthetics. Don't clutter it up with distracting or exaggerated tchotchkes and wall art. If there's a particular theme you feel can accompany your practice, perhaps choose a few visually appealing pieces to add visual interest to the overall décor scheme.
Illumination and ambience
The innate connection between nature and yoga practice is one that’s unbreakable. Lighting has the primal power to set a mood and hijack our sense of space and time. In a yoga studio, natural light can evoke feelings of “nurturing and love”.
SourceEnsure that the practice space receives plenty of natural light during the day, preferably from multiple directions so that you can take advantage of sunlight no matter if you’re practising in the morning or in the afternoon.However, if you must use artificial light, use warm colours to imitate sunlight. More importantly, lighting in the room should be dimmable to allow the instructor to control the brightness and ambience depending on the type of class.
Select your props
Although you don't need much more than a yoga mat to practice, restorative yoga poses typically involve a lot of props. Some can even further your design vision by making your practice more accessible and comfortable.
Besides providing optimum stability and cushioning, a high-quality mat will last for years to come. Blocks, straps, bolsters, sandbags and eye pillows require a uniform shape and sturdiness to support you fully as you sink into comfortable poses for long, luxurious amounts of time. They all come in various unique styles, so choose wisely to add to the overall design theme of the room.
Get started!
Whether you want inspiration for planning a new yoga studio renovation or building one from scratch, working alongside an expert interior designer can bring all your design goals fruition. From the choice of decorative style right down to interior fittings and lighting solutions; a yoga studio designers will provide all the necessary interior services to deliver a space beautiful enough to lull any highly-stressed individual into a state of nirvana.
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Final Thoughts
Every yoga studio design is different — but they all have a common goal… to create a safe place for calmness, reflection and healing. The experience of relaxation and well-being are deemed to match better with a flexible space layout, a soothing colour scheme, warm material choices and all the essential elements that bring together the perfect yoga studio interior. These are just the few design basics that should be considered as a great foundation to start from.
Design meets Wellness: A Guide to Creating the Perfect Home Gym
Nothing beats the convenience of being able to work out in the comfort and privacy of your own home. The thought of driving in traffic, being in a space that’s too hot or too cold, or wondering if you’ll have
Designing your own gym allows you to set up the type of space that can be created to a bespoke design. It’s possible to blend form and function with great aesthetics — after all, if you’re going to sweat, it might as well be in the company of utterly beautiful workout space.Below, you will find all of the guidelines to help you to create your home fitness space while maintaining the design integrity you desire.
Space consideration
What part of your home will you dedicate to your workout room? First things first, make sure to have a designated spot for your gym. This is the best way to ensure that you will actually use it on a regular basis.
SourceNow, if your home is large enough, then you may be able to utilise a spare room. If floor footage is a concern, then consider any additional space and get creative with what you’ve got. This can include patios, balconies, basements, outdoor areas, and more.
Indoor gym
Setting up an indoor gym gives you the freedom to make it your own. You can pick an area that you feel is most ideal for a good workout and customise it. This could be a spare office space, an attic, or even a spot in a spacious living room. The size of the area dedicated to gym equipment depends on your fitness goals and personal preference.
Basement gym
A basement extension can make the ideal space for a fitness suite. The right flooring, overhead lights and mirrors will aid in keeping the space open and inviting. If you have several rooms, say a bath or kitchen area in the basement, it’s possible to turn the entire space into an efficient workout suite.
Outdoor gym
There is nothing quite like getting outside in the fresh air and sunshine to fully enjoy your fitness routine and improve your mood. Outdoor training has grown increasingly popular within the last years, but how do you design a perfect outdoor fitness spot.
SourceMany homeowners love the idea of an outhouse with lots of glass — and it's tempting to install wall-to-wall glass to let in as much natural light as possible. Rightfully so, as this will offer the most functionality. The combination of exercise and nature is good for both physical and mental well-being.
Garage gym
Garages are just gyms waiting to happen. They’re ideal for weight training and can really be tailored to suit specific needs, goals and performance. The area should be well ventilated and have enough windows to allow both fresh air and natural light in the room otherwise there’s a chance that you will experience great discomfort while training.
Layout and space arrangement
When setting up a home gym it’s crucial that you evaluate the layout and functionality of the space. Gym designs, of course, vary hugely depending on individual needs. Making the best use of available space is about considering exactly how design decisions will impact your fitness experience.
More importantly, ensure that your space arrangement leaves plenty of room between your equipment, to avoid any damage to it, the decor or yourself while you're working out.
Fitness equipment
Curating a home gym that perfects every detail is the key to a successful design. This means, taking the time to select equipment that you are most likely to use on a consistent basis, especially equipment that’s in line with your fitness goals.
So, if you want to increase your cardio, then a treadmill or a skipping rope will be a great addition. On the other hand, if you want to work on your strength training, you will find that kettle-bells are the way to go. Bear in mind that home gyms don't need to have every piece of equipment under the sun — just a few anchor machines should suffice.
Gym flooring
For one thing, gym flooring acts as a protective layer for floors underneath from the inevitable dropping or slamming of handheld equipment during workouts. Even more importantly, flooring helps cushion bones and muscles during explosive workouts, as well as reduce noise. There are a variety of options to choose from. Do some research and decide what works best for your needs.
SourceGym foam or rubber flooring squares that are approximately two inches thick are beneficial for a number of reasons. The squares interlock to instantly attain a professional look, and they can handle weights or workouts you throw at them.
Style and décor
Believe it or not, the decor of your home gym can determine just how motivated you will be. For instance, if you prefer a tranquil atmosphere, a soothing colour palette, a couple of ferns or bamboo plants and crisp clean accents can easily establish a relaxed but focused environment.
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Colour
Colour psychology can have a great impact on energy levels. If you want to make sure that you are amped up for the duration of your workout, opt for a green that is reminiscent of nature or the outdoors. Looking to set farther, more difficult goals? Then purple is the go-to colour to overcome physical challenges and limitations.Want to stay focused instead? In this instance, neutrals such as white or cool grey will be your biggest ally. Consider fiery reds and oranges, which are warm and bring excitement and energy to any space — all good feelings to have when exercising.
Mirrors
Installing mirrors in your gym will lend an illusion of a larger space. It will also make the room seem brighter and open especially in smaller environments. Apart from aesthetics, there is a practical workout reason for installing mirrors in a training room. They'll give you the opportunity to check your form, which can reduce the likelihood of injury.
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Energetic visual interest
To have a workout environment that feels inspiring, bright and invigorating can contribute to the result that you’re trying to get at. Stellar views, inspirational visuals or a stylish feature wall will instantly make your space pop.
Lighting
Natural light helps keep you alert and energy levels high, studies reveal. Not to mention, sufficient natural flow of light can create a refreshing ambience for those working out early in the morning.
But if your space isn’t privy to natural illumination, upgrade your artificial lighting to cool but bright white overhead lighting with LED to induce the same energising effects as natural light. You may also want to create a calming atmosphere by installing a dimmer switch to bring down the lighting levels for cool-down routines or low-key workouts such as Yoga or Pilates.
Get started!
Choosing new cardio and free-weights equipment, picking a colour scheme you love and the flooring you deem comfortable can be an exciting process when designing a home gym. However, coming up with a thoughtful design and space arrangement is just as important, all of which an interior design expert team can advise upon.
When working alongside an experienced designer, expect the design process to be collaborative in order to meet your fitness goals. The designer will assist in working around a style that complements your lifestyle, the right fittings that make up the body of the gym, as well as lighting and all finishing touches that bring the entire design together.
Final thoughts
Health is wealth, and with improved fitness technologies offering more options, a steadily increasing number of fit people are choosing to forego membership-based gyms entirely and incorporate a home gym instead.There’s no question that with a successful home gym design, you can enjoy the same fitness experience you would in a commercial fitness centre. Whether you decide to install a gym in the basement, outdoor area or a garage, the right space arrangement, colour palette, flooring, lighting, and equipment all come together to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing scheme.
Designed To Be Fit — Gym and Fitness Centre Interior Design
As awareness on how our environment and lifestyle choices naturally impact our disposition continues to increase, residential fitness facilities are becoming one of the most sought-after services by home buyers. Corporate offices are incorporating fitness spaces as more and more employees
Corporate offices are incorporating fitness spaces as more and more employees expect companies to care about their whole well-being. Upscale hotels, resorts and country clubs are going a step further with full-scale training hubs to attract fitness-focused travellers looking for a distinctive wellness journey.How do we then use gym interior design to set up a fitness facility that elevates wellness experience and improve people’s quality of life? The thoughtful use of innovative materials and lighting, intelligent layout floor details, the language of colour and elements of biophilic design all work together to maximise the human senses.
Layout floor plan and space zoning
A successful fitness and gym design concept require particular attention with regards to space arrangement. Each space and its users have unique needs; therefore, each design scheme should provide the best possible environment that’s functional, safe and comfortable.
Source If the interior space is small, cramped and cluttered, then people feel less comfortable when training. However, that’s not to imply that in order for patrons to enjoy an ultimate fitness experience you need a large facility. At the onset, good space planning can turn a compact space into a comfortable sphere that’s capable of facilitating numerous workouts and accommodate adequate training equipment and storage.
SourceSimilarly, a pleasant and non-intimidating spacious layout plan that exhibits a strong focus on design and zones is essential to boost the gym’s appeal towards the target demographic. High ceilings, ample circulation and subtle switches from a dense to an open area ensure flexibility within the indoor environment and helps avoid a “boxed-in” feeling.
Colours and décor choices
Today’s gym and fitness centres are more than just rooms of equipment surrounded by plain, concrete walls. Colour psychology plays a significant role in creating an impressive and dynamic setting — the use of fresh, energising hues perfect for high adrenalin zones — and more subtle tones to create a calm and tranquil environment fitting for holistic workouts.
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Passionate colours
Vibrant colours like red or orange create visual energy that helps clients to power through high-energy and intense workouts. Cardio exercise is also augmented by bright hues in which just a splash of red can increase the heart rate, orange can stimulate the thoughts, while yellow increases the feelings of cheerfulness and enthusiasm.
Cooling colours
Colours such as blue and ocean green can work well to give a cooling effect. They trick the mind to have a cool sense and combats overheating during workouts. They can also evoke the success feeling that motivates gym members to achieve a strong fitness goal.
Trusted colours
Simple and neutral colours such as off-white and beige are essential for yoga and meditation rooms. These colours offer a more pleasant and calming experience. They are less distracting and aid focus during workouts. And also, soothing neutral hues make the space much brighter, open and airy.
Flooring solutions
Gym flooring solutions come in a wide range of textures and functionality in which the sky really is the limit — from rubber floor tiles to hardwood gym flooring. It should be a strong, durable surface that supports the different areas to be included, as well as the types of equipment in each zone.
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Biophilia and indoor environment quality
Biophilic design is a fundamental concept that respectfully harnesses the restorative, energising properties of mother nature that influence physical health and our emotional state of mind. So where better to implement this nature-inspired approach than in a gym, fitness studio or yoga room where improved wellbeing is the goal?
Source Integrating remnants of the great outdoors (abundance of greenery, natural light, organic shapes that mimic nature’s patterns, soothing palette of earthy tones and natural material like wood and stone) into the gym concept from the early stages of design is a powerful key to success in fitness club interior design.
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Lighting and ambience
As your gym concept evolves in form and finishes, lighting and ambience should be right at the top to amplifier the overall design and brand aesthetic. To be clear, natural light plays a vital role in ensuring that “feeling good” goes far beyond just an aesthetically pleasing space.
If location makes it impossible to have access to adequate natural light, consider investing in lighting that replicates the same rejuvenating feel and make the interior as inviting as possible.
Good gym design creates a great atmosphere
A professional interior designer makes sure that the atmosphere of the gym and workout facility, yoga retreat or wellness hub is compatible with the end-user. Space should offer a look and feel that makes patrons want to linger well beyond the 30 minutes fitness session.
SourceProfessional designers offer project-based services that integrate every piece of interior planning in order to convert an indoor environment into an inclusive fitness haven that evokes health, relaxation and groundedness.
Final thoughts
For the fitness and wellness industry, the role that interior design plays cannot be overstated. As we become more health-conscious, gyms are now being viewed as essential components in our daily life. As such, gym and fitness hubs should pay strong attention to design trends that align closely with the well-being policies of the modern world.A thoughtful gym interior emphasises and supports the many strands of environmental and human ethics, as well as the global pursuit of good health and happiness. Additionally, wellness-driven design strategies that implement the correct use of space, lighting, colour schemes and material selection, not only maximise user-satisfaction, but also ensure a greater turnaround on customer attraction and, ultimately, long-term retention.