I’ve practiced yoga on and off for years now. I love the stretch, the stress relief, the feeling of strength and the gradual toning of muscles. Yoga can be done almost anywhere, doesn’t require an outlay of cash and you don’t need to join a studio or gym. With the exception of those who are medically unable, it’s a universal activity that almost everyone, of all ages, can benefit from. With our remodel complete, and a newly spare bedroom to put to use, I decided to design a home yoga room for peaceful yoga practice.
Why Design a Home Yoga Room?
There are many different kinds of yoga, some much more physical than others. Some include meditation, some really get you moving through a routine of poses, and some are free flowing, but they all include breath work to some extent. Interruptions can take away from the experience, in the least, and at their worst, remove the benefits you expect from a practice of any length. A home yoga room is not a requirement, but if you have one, you can use it as a place of peace, a place to escape when things are stressful, and a quiet place to practice.
For years, I practiced without my own dedicated space. It was entirely possible, but I also found myself self-conscious if anyone saw me. Yoga is not just moving through strenuous poses. It’s a mind and body practice that requires focus, and that can be hard to achieve if you’re doing it in the same space where people are watching TV or refilling their water glass.
The purpose of yoga is different for everyone, but in general, it’s about balance, strength and stability. That can be achieved in any of the multiple types of yoga. I prefer hatha, which consists <mostly> of holding poses for a few breaths — breath and movement to create physical and mental balance. I also like vinyasa, basically made up of sequences, or poses that flow from one to another. I also practice restorative yoga when I need it, which is just what it sounds like.
Whether you’re a beginner or you’ve practiced for a long time, you aren’t required to pick one kind of yoga. Creating your own flow or following a specific set of poses — you get to do what you want, whenever you want. There is no right or wrong, though one disclaimer: there is healthy and safe vs unsafe. “No pain, no gain” is NOT a part of yoga. In fact, part of yoga is listening to your body. If something hurts, stop doing it. You won’t become flexible overnight, but with regular practice you will get there.
Just like your practice, you can design your home yoga room to match your personality and needs. Low-cost, no-cost, all new stuff, it’s all up to you.
How to Design a Home Yoga Room That Fits Your Needs
My needs for a yoga room were basic: an uncluttered space that gives me room to do my poses, utilize typical yoga equipment without tripping over it, and to feel peaceful as I meditate or enjoy a relaxing savasana (the pose at the end where you lay down). I also needed my Bowflex stationary bike to fit in with plenty of space to use the lean option and to see the 16″ screen if I choose to do one of the many JRNY workouts available as part of my yearly membership.
To design my home yoga room, I had to do a few things:
- Consider the size of the available space
- Remember ALL of the things I needed the room for
- Put together a list of the things I wanted to do in the room
- Think about my budget and prioritize the things I needed to buy first
- Come up with a theme
My room is approximately 12′ x 15′. Along the 15′ wall, there is a large window which faces west, so it gets a lot of sun in the afternoon. That window needs curtains.
The other long wall loses a few feet due to the recess behind the door, leaving me an odd corner that can’t hold much beyond my back inversion table. That wall also has an open closet the rest of the length of the wall, with a smaller opening that needed to be covered with curtains.
Already in the space was a leather futon, because the room will function as a guest room for the rare times we have an overnight guest. They have closet space to hang their clothes, a comfortable full size bed to sleep on, and privacy. Part of the closet is used to store my photography equipment, backdrops, cameras, press backpacks/bags, etc., and I also keep my fitness equipment in there. And I still have a TON of shelf space available.
So, my needs for the room are to workout in and in case we have a guest as well as storing some gear.
I had a budget available, but didn’t have much to buy to finish the room. I do have a great list of the gear I’d already purchased, which I’ll share below so you can buy it for your own home yoga space if you’re setting one up! (These links are affiliate links, so I may get some commission if you purchase, but the cost is no higher for you at all; Amazon covers the cost!) I’ll get to that list in a minute.
Last, my theme! I didn’t really have a decor theme overall, but I knew I wanted the color theme to be more black and purple. The walls are already a light grey, and the new flooring a darker grey plank. I chose to decorate with a simple shelf for candles, purple curtains on both the front window and the closet, and a couple of items for the wall that make me happy and add to my zen.
A home yoga room should be peaceful, a space that allows you to focus on your breath, the feel of your body, and one that matches your energy levels. Softly-scented candles, warm lighting that can be dimmed, and a yoga mat that motivates you to use it make a big difference.
Home Yoga Room Item Recommendations
Here is a list of the items that help make the perfect home yoga room and workout space without breaking your budget or overfilling a room with unnecessary stuff. I’ve included <affiliate> links below, and below that, you can also find some links with images. There are cheaper and more expensive options for each if you want to do more research.
Bowflex stationary bike
Wall shelf — a couple of options are below
Bonus: workout app (like FitOn or JRNY — or Peloton if your bike is a Peloton brand)
One extra thing I recently bought but that I LOVE? My Restrial Life Yoga Inversion bench! It’s a much safer way to start add inversion poses to your practice without risking hurting your neck. It also comes with a guide on how to use it in many other ways, and is totally worth the cost. As with the rest of the items I link to, there are cheaper options and more expensive options, but I can say firsthand this is sturdy and comfortable. I feel safe using it, and I was able to assemble it within 10 minutes.
One extra thing I recently bought but that I LOVE? My Restrial Life Yoga Inversion bench! It’s a much safer way to start add inversion poses to your practice without risking hurting your neck. It also comes with a guide on how to use it in many other ways, and is totally worth the cost. As with the rest of the items I link to, there are cheaper options and more expensive options, but I can say firsthand this is sturdy and comfortable. I feel safe using it, and I was able to assemble it within 10 minutes.
Here are image links to all of the Amazon items I mentioned above. The yoga mat is an XL length, something a lot of yoga instructors use, but it’s a quality brand that won’t slip and has extra-thick padding. All of these items will give you the home yoga room of your dreams, but don’t feel you have to get them all at once. A yoga mat and room to spread out is all that you have to have to start your yoga practice.
I did a separate post a while back on the Chirp wheels. I have a set of three (sent to me by the company) and they are amazing at gentle to intense stretches, as well as massaging your back muscles. There have been a few nights where I’ve gotten out of bed and headed into my home yoga room to use one of the wheels. (Recommendation: you may be tempted to start with the biggest, but you will get more of a stretch than you expect. Start with the smaller ones and work upwards.)
Whatever you do, have fun creating your space. Make it zen. Peaceful. Quiet. Bright. Whatever you like. You can set up your iPad or your phone, your smart TV or your tablet, and watch a yoga video or let loose and create your own. That’s the beauty of yoga — freedom and happiness while you strengthen, tone, and gain flexibility.
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