As the founder and creative director of Romano Interior Architecture, I lead a boutique London-based design studio that crafts high-end residential environments across the UK and internationally—from expansive country estates to elegant city homes and alpine retreats. But beyond our signature style and bespoke craftsmanship, wellness is a cornerstone of how I live—and how I design.
I’m a mother of three, run a growing interior architecture practice, and like many of my clients, fitness isn’t optional—it’s a priority. That’s why designing intelligent, beautiful, and practical home gyms has become not just a trend in our work, but a necessity.
A Home Gym That Disappears (Until You Need It)
Take our recent project in southwest London for an American couple in tech. They run fast-paced companies, frequently host guests, and needed a home gym that could flex with their lifestyle. We integrated a gym into their guest bedroom—complete with reinforced, wheeled drawer storage that lets heavy weights roll easily out onto the adjoining patio for outdoor workouts. The entire space transforms with a bespoke Murphy bed that folds down in two effortless steps, returning it to a fully functional guest suite.
This approach—designing for dual use, mobility, and quick transitions—is essential for high-performance homes.
My Essentials for Any At-Home Fitness Space
Whether you’re working with a penthouse or a compact flat, certain design principles make a home gym both functional and motivating:
- Storage is everything: You can’t train in chaos. Integrated units (like concealed drawers or modular shelves) allow for quick access to weights, resistance bands, mats, and recovery tools without visual clutter.
- Lighting and mirrors: These are more than aesthetic. Proper lighting and a large mirror support posture, presence, and motivation. The space should feel like a place to perform, even if it’s just you in there.
- Materials matter: Durable, wipeable finishes and acoustic flooring make workouts safer and quieter. We use materials like oak, leather, and natural rubber to elevate both performance and appearance.
- Premium equipment when it fits: We often source from brands like Technogym or NOHRD, which blend form and function beautifully—especially for clients who want a luxury look without compromising on performance.
Design That Reflects Real Life
At-home fitness isn’t just about space—it’s about systems. What works in your life? What can you commit to regularly? My team and I work closely with clients to understand their rhythms, goals, and limitations—then build wellness features into their homes that support the life they actually lead.
By Eleonora Romano
Eleonora Romano is the founder and creative director of Romano Interior Architecture, a London-based studio specialising in high-end residential interiors, renowned for crafting deeply personal, artful, and luxurious spaces across the UK and internationally.
A former gymnast and lifelong fitness enthusiast, she understands the emotional and functional needs of spaces — especially when it comes to creating elegant, high-performance home gyms and wellness environments that integrate seamlessly into modern living.
What a neat solution, being able to convert that space into a gym and then back into a room. To me the important thing is the modularity and being able access things easily, so that the friction to train is minimized. Ideal for professionals who work long hours from home!