Mercer Island, Washington

A dark, dated basement gym is transformed into a bright, motivating workout haven, complete with defined zones, layered textures, and a polished, purposeful design.

THE VISION
This project brought me back to a classic Mercer Island waterfront Tudor I first touched 25 years ago, when I designed a major addition. This time, the goal was simpler — but just as satisfying. The homeowners asked me to update their basement gym. Harsh lighting, bulky built-ins, and drab tan paneling made the space feel more like a storage closet than a place to recharge.

The vision was clear: create a home gym that felt open, inviting, and motivating. In short, a workout space they’d actually want to spend time in.

THE APPROACH
I stripped the space back to its bones, removing the oversized closet and outdated built-ins to create a more open, functional layout. From there, I restructured the room into three distinct workout zones: cardio, strength training, and yoga/stretch.

To combat the low ceilings and harsh lighting, I designed a new lighting plan that brightens the space without glare, and added floor-to-ceiling mirrors to reflect light and create a greater sense of height. The dated paneling was replaced and finished in a rich navy paint, while warm wood floors, layered rugs, and streamlined storage brought texture and comfort.

The result? A polished home gym that balances form and function — and makes showing up to sweat a whole lot more appealing.