"How can I store a home gym in a small apartment so that it doesn't look tacky?" This question gets asked more often. And it makes sense. Because not knowing how to hide a treadmill in a room will force you to give up valuable space.
And with bulky workout equipment crammed in a tight space—and more so actual cables strewn all over the floor— the chances of serious injury are much greater.
But treadmills don't have to be annoying or distracting, or invasive. In fact, based on your home's interior design, there's no shortage of smart ideas to easily disguise a treadmill in a room without compromising its functionality or the aesthetics of your house.
Today we will look at five creative solutions for incorporating a treadmill into the home décor. Let's dive in.
Hide Your Treadmill Using a Folding Screen
And while at it, don't forget to getto give a bit of zing to your workout plan. Simple accessories such as an equipment mat, heart rate monitor, and interval holder can help improve a home cardio workout.
A folding screen is the most portable and inexpensive option for hiding a treadmill in a living room. Since a folding screen is not a permanent installation, it's possible to change its configuration for a new look or set it aside completely if no longer needed.
If it's placed right, a folding screen can serve as a home gym room divider. The goal is to separate the gym room and carve out a private space for personal retreat and meditation.
You can place the privacy screen however you want as long as the form doesn't bypass the function. Perhaps angling it across an empty corner with open spaces blocked at either end would be a better solution.
If a folding screen looks odd in a corner, place it against the wall instead. In that case, a six-panel folding screen is preferred over the traditional four-panel room divider.
Given the sheer amount of choices of decorative folding screens, it should be easy to find one that meets your needs. Answer the following questions to zero in on the right folding screen:
- How often will the screen be used? Seasonally or year round?
- Where will the screen be used?
- Does the screen need to let in natural light?
- Will you use the screen mostly for privacy in the gym room?
- If opting for a wooden screen, what kind of wood and finish best fits your home décor?
- Are there any special patterns, colors, or period styles that you need to incorporate into the screen?
Most folding screens are between five and six feet in height. For example, this beautiful 4 panel alloy steel room divider is 5.7-feet high. It will blend in with taller ceilings to camouflage your treadmill in any room of your home.
If a wooden folding screen piques your interest, this professionally handcrafted room divider comes in either four or six panels. You also get three solid, hand-made shelves giving you the extra space to display books, potted plants, or even family photos.
To avert curiosity and keep the room looking clean and organized, choose a room divider that matches the décor of your space. Doing so makes the screen itself an intentional focal point, so it's difficult for guests to notice there is a treadmill behind the room divider.
Hang Intricately Designed Home Gym Curtains or Drapes
Curtains or draperies are often seen as the more old-fashioned forms of room dividers. But they can cover a larger area than those zig-zagged screen panels many people are vouching for.
No one will notice the presence of a treadmill if the room divider covering it has intricately designed patterns that coordinate with your décor. Plus, hanging drapes or curtains high a few inches from the ceiling creates the illusion of a taller room and, as a result, a bigger space.
There are tons of creative ways to disguise a treadmill using curtains, such as:
- Adding rolling screens and blinds. These will distract people from what is behind them.
- Customizing ceiling bar in straight or curved lines. This helps cancel out the bulk of the treadmill.
- Using bow-shaped curtain rods to create a dramatic space that looks like a bay.
To draw the eye away from the treadmill itself and into the room, ensure the room divider has a canvas displaying bright colors and patterns. A vibrant room diver can also complement a major piece of art in the room while keeping your treadmill out of sight.
A picturesque canvas would be your best bet, especially if there are no paintings, framed pictures, or other artistic pieces on your wall. However, don't underestimate the flowiness and dynamism that it can add to an empty wall.
Moreover, because they're ceiling-mounted and flexible, you can swing the curtains open or tie up the drapes for hassle-free access to the treadmill.
Decorate Living Room with a Treadmill
Obviously, incorporating bulky, bevy exercise bikes into your living room won't make them count as furniture. However, the intention of decorating the living room with a treadmill is really to celebrate its form and function. Any visitor to your home will view it as your commitment to good health.
If you're skeptical that the treadmill may be an eyesore, there are a few brands that make eye-catching exercise equipment. You can check out Technogym, Sportsart, and Yanko design. Many of the high-quality, modern-looking treadmills come from these brands.
You could also make a great statement by painting your interior walls the same color as the treadmill. There's no way you'll go wrong with a white treadmill sitting on the backdrop of white walls and light oak wood floors. It will blend in so nicely and take the appearance of a chameleon.
Place a red flowing scarf on the treadmill's handlebars for a splash of color. Or position a colorful potted plant to neutralize the one-color treadmill. Play around with sheds and create a fashion statement you feel proud to show off.
The good thing about the treadmill in the living room is that you can add some inspirational word art to spice things up. For example, throw in some framed calligraphy or freestanding art pieces carved into words to create a memorable experience.
That said, don't go overboard with inspirational word art, or you risk making your living room boring. One short saying can go a long way.
Get a Customized Treadmill Cover
When you buy a treadmill, it's highly recommended to buy a treadmill cover too. Treadmill covers insulate the workout equipment from dust accumulation, pet fur, water damage, and more.
Having an insulated treadmill cover is especially important if you keep your treadmill somewhere damp or unused, such as in a basement or garage.
A UV-resistant and waterproof treadmill cover will also be the right option for a treadmill that is kept outdoors on a balcony or a porch. It will protect the machine from rain, sun, snow, and even wind.
Treadmill covers are available in various sizes, shapes, styles, and price ranges. So it's important to give the selection process a profound thought and careful consideration.
Be clear about the following when getting a treadmill cover:
1. Shape and Size
Folding treadmills require differently shaped covers compared to non-folding treadmills. Depending on the shape of the treadmill and whether it can fold down, getting a cover that is customized for that brand of treadmill might be a good idea.
2. Usage
An outdoor treadmill cover will need to be thicker and more durable than an indoor treadmill cover. It should also be large, so it covers the top, sides, platform, and beneath the treadmill to protect dirt and wet ground from getting in contact with the machine.
3. Features
What bells and whistles should your treadmill cover have? For example, do you need a treadmill cover with a zipper along the side to make it easy to assemble and disassemble? Or do you want a storage bag so you can stow it in any corner when not in use?
4. Product value
How much bang for the buck does the treadmill cover offer? The sturdiness, durability, and reliability of a treadmill cover will determine how much it will cost. With treadmill covers, you always get what you pay for.
Thorough research is vital to ensure you get your hands on what works best for you. Make use of treadmill cover buying guides, product reviews, rating websites, online forums, and even word-of-mouth testimonials.
Hide a Treadmill in the Bedroom
You might have not thought of hiding a treadmill in a bedroom. But there's a slew of the tried-and-tested treadmill in bedroom ideas that actually work.
A treadmill can be stored in a bedroom corner and kept out of sight. It's even better if you have a folding treadmill. You'll be able to fold it up and stow it away in the main bedroom.
Instead of keeping the treadmill out in the open, try storing it underneath the bed. This option allows you to hide away your treadmill and still be able to easily access it and do your cardio workout.
You might have to de-clutter the area around the bedroom before shoving a treadmill under the bed. Remove obstacles that might block airflow and clean up to minimize dirt and debris.
Once you've tidied up underneath the bed, check to see if your bed frame is tall enough to accommodate a folded treadmill. If it can't fit in there, purchase some bed risers to give you some extra height. Then slide the treadmill under the bed.
Ensure to leave a little breathing space between the treadmill and the bed when stored. This way, you won't damage your treadmill when lying on the bed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, you'll find some questions along with short, objective answers on how to hide a treadmill in a room. Don't hesitate to shoot us a message if you need further assistance:
1. How much space do you need around a treadmill?
The average treadmill measures 5 to 6 feet (165 cm) long and 2 to 3 feet (75 cm) wide. According to the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM), adequate space to accommodate most treadmills goes up to 12 feet (350 cm) long and 7 feet (210 cm) wide. A total of 8 to 9 feet (21 cm) ceiling height or clearance is optimum.
2. Where to put a treadmill in your house?
An empty room in your house is the best place to put on a treadmill. However, in the case of a folding treadmill, you can have it under your bed or in a tiny corner. The basement and garage are also the best places for a treadmill. Make proper calculations when choosing a location for your home gym equipment.
3. Should a treadmill face a wall?
According to Consumer Reports safety guidelines, it's not a good idea to box a treadmill up against the wall. Depending on the treadmill's belt size, you could be severely injured if you get wedged in between the wall and the running machine. For safety purposes, keep a 1.64ft of clearance on each side of the treadmill and 3.5ft behind the back of the machine.
4. Is it OK to place a treadmill upstairs?
There is no need to worry about putting a treadmill upstairs. A typical elliptical machine weighs around 250-300 lbs. So, even if you weigh more than 200 lbs., the floor should still be able to support your weight and that of the machine.
Conclusion
There are plenty of ways to hide a treadmill in a room. From using a decorative folding screen and hanging home gym curtains or drapes to treating a treadmill as a piece of home decor and getting a customized treadmill cover, there's something to meet everyone's needs. So now is the time to stop using the lack of space as an excuse for not buying your treadmill.
And while at it, don't forget to get accessories for the treadmill to give a bit of zing to your workout plan. Simple accessories such as an equipment mat, heart rate monitor, and interval holder can help improve a home cardio workout.