How to Create a Yoga Studio in Your House
From the soothing, sequential flow of Sun Salutations to the blissful stillness of Savasana, there’s nothing like a good yoga session to find your zen when life gets chaotic. The challenge? Actually carving out the time to get out the door and onto the mat for class.
Enter the at-home yoga studio. By cutting out travel distance and designated class schedules, a personal yoga space gives you the freedom to sweat it out and strengthen your practice on your own time, whether you’ve got an hour or five minutes.
That’s the idea behind the tranquil yoga and fitness room in House Beautiful’s 2019 Whole Home in Nashville, Tennessee. It's complete with a Peloton bike, free weights, resistance bands, and a ballet barre. There’s also a sleek TV mounted to the wall, which is perfect for streaming classes from a yoga app if you’re looking for instructor guidance in the comfort of your own home.
Since every element of the house is designed to inspire health, happiness, and balance, this room in particular is the perfect starting point when you’re looking for inspiration to create your own calming sanctuary. Here’s how to imagine your very own yoga studio at home.
Designate your yoga space.
The beauty of the at-home “studio” is that it can be anywhere, whether you’ve got an extra bedroom, an underutilized space above the garage, or just one section of a room to spare. (The Whole Home designers turned a would-be storage room into the essential home gym.) No matter if you’re limited on square footage or you’ve got tons to play with, the space is defined by the vibe.
A common rule of thumb for those opening a full-on yoga studio is to allocate 21 square feet per practitioner, and this is a good place to start at home, too. You should have enough room for a yoga mat, plus extra space to stretch out into, say, Warrior or Dancer poses.
Make sure you’re a safe distance from any walls or furniture in case you lose your balance, especially if you’re into inversions (because sometimes, headstands don’t go the way you planned).
Outfit your studio with the essentials.
First and foremost, a yoga mat, of course. Beyond that, though, there are many different props that can support your practice: yoga blocks can help lengthen your reach as an “extension” of your arm if you’re working on flexibility, and yoga straps can challenge you to get deeper into certain poses. A bolster comes in handy for restorative poses, as well as allowing your space to multitask as a meditation haven.
For a design-minded touch, a traditional woven yoga blanket can offer a pop of pattern and texture. And when you’re not practicing yoga, store it all in a chic oversized basket to keep it tucked away in its own cozy spot.
Set the mood with soothing hues and warm lighting.
There’s a reason the yoga space in the Whole Home is decked out in super-light, sandy tones. This soft cream shade invokes comfort and calm, yet it’s subtle and warm enough to not make the room feel too dark—think of it as the perfect complement to your yoga practice. You’ll also want to turn the lights down low, so consider using dimming bulbs for a customized touch.
Keep your space uncluttered and purposeful.
It’s tough to have a clear mind when you don’t have a clear space. Go as minimal as you can when it comes to what’s around you, and in the spirit of yoga, be purposeful about the things you do surround yourself with.
House plants are thought to boost mood, improve focus, and relieve stress (not unlike yoga itself), while an essential oil diffuser can instantly give your space that inviting yoga-studio scent.
Ultimately, what makes a yoga space is the intention behind it, whether you've got a whole room to work with or just a small corner of your bedroom. After all, “stepping onto your mat” is about letting go of your surroundings—but it certainly doesn't hurt if your surroundings are filled with stylish, soothing design touches, à la your favorite yoga studio.
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