A boutique gym or studio sells an experience, not just the equipment. People will pay more for a space that feels considered and is beautifully designed, so the interior becomes part of the product.
That doesn't mean expensive finishes. It means thoughtful design, and clever material choice.
Start with the reception area and the changing rooms, because members remember them. Good lighting, warm and durable materials and generous, well-ventilated changing space do more for perceived quality than anything on the gym floor.
On the training floor, keep the palette calm, as the equipment brings its own colour and ‘noise’. Lighting should be bright enough to train in and easy to adjust for classes, and mirrors should be planned early because they affect lighting, acoustics and services.
Every finish in a gym meets sweat, rubber and heavy cleaning. Choose materials that look good when they are worn in, and detail corners and junctions so they can be cleaned properly (they will take most of the wear). A premium look that peels after six months is worse than a simple space that stays sharp for the long term.
Oak veneer panels and large format concrete floor tiles that wear in and not out. By New Makers Bureau.
