What’s Hot in Home Design?

Home gyms, safe rooms are popular add-ons

By DAVID STONE | Photos by WES ALBANESE and courtesy of JENNY WALLACE

Many of today’s homebuyers want more than just the basics — many are customizing their new digs with double ovens, mudrooms, craft rooms and built-in dog water bowls. The most requested custom add-ons are safe rooms to protect against intruders, outdoor kitchens, secret rooms and home gyms.

“We’re seeing a lot of requests for accent walls — wood that has different, cool shapes,” Emily Marin of Flintrock Builders said. “It’s similar to ornate crown molding but on the walls. Some want a long hallway with wood having cool shapes. It gives the wall texture, and there’s no need to decorate the wall with pictures.”

“People also are wanting rooms without closets to use as offices, theaters, gyms or library space,” she added. “If it doesn’t have closets, it’s not considered a bedroom. It gives the homeowner extra space to play around with.”

Gyms are the hottest new trend in homes right now, and according to local physical trainer Terri Carter, owner of Refine Personal Training, the home gym craze became very popular during the COVID years.

“People wanted more to do than sitting on the couch watching Netflix,” Carter said. “They have remained quite popular.”
Carter offered some suggestions for equipping that new home gym.

“Equipment you need would vary widely depending on what your goals are, your physical condition and any medical limitations you may have,” she said. “A very basic gym could consist of dumbbells, a yoga ball and a step, much like the ones that are used during step class.”

“For a more elaborate gym, create a mix of cardio equipment, such as a treadmill, a bike or an elliptical machine, with free weights, dumbbells, kettlebells, and barbells,” she said. “During COVID, several fitness companies introduced gyms that could be set up in your garage. Some of these mount to the wall and fold up when not in use.”

“These systems may include a bench press and a squat rack. They also have cables that could be attached to perform exercises such as lat pulldowns, rows and curls. These are excellent machines for those who don’t have a lot of space.”

“For those who have more room, the proper equipment would depend on what your goals are and your medical limitations,” Carter added. “For bad knees and bad backs, a recumbent bicycle with a back support is best. An elliptical machine also is a good choice for folks with bad knees because it has very little impact on the joints.”

In a brief survey of local residents, several mentioned the need for safe rooms or tornado shelters to protect against storms and home invasions.

“If I was building a new home right now, I would like a hidden, secret panic room,” said Bell County resident Irma Diaz Montano. “I would stock it with food, a phone, batteries, security camera monitors, a notebook and pen, a flashlight, a toothbrush and paste, and extra medication.”

Several residents, including Mary Graves Cox, said her new home includes a Christmas closet.

“Our tree stays decorated all year, and it is on a wheeled platform dolly,” she said. “We just roll it out and plug it in at Christmas. Other holiday decorations are in tubs on the closet shelves.”

Those wanting to customize their home should discuss their needs with their home builder or contractor.