7 Best Home Gym Paint Colors (Painting Ideas & Inspiration)

Keep Motivated With These 7 Home Gym Paint Colors

There is an infinite number of colors to paint a home gym, so deciding on one can be a daunting task. Even just flipping through paint samples can be overwhelming, especially if you want to find the perfect balance of energizing and relaxing. 

While we can’t give you a definitive answer on which paint color is "best," we can give you some hints on which is "best" for you and your fitness goals. Just remember that finding the best home gym paint color ultimately comes down to a few things, including:

Keeping all these things in mind, here's the countdown of the best home gym paint colors:

1. Dutch Orange (Farrow & Ball) - Best Overall

Orange is a color that has been used time and time again in the fitness industry. Whether it’s a small local yoga studio or a major nationwide chain like Orange Theory, you've probably noticed that many fitness companies use the color orange for branding and marketing. This isn’t just a coincidence… 

According to the Science of People on color psychology, “orange is a color of stimulation and enthusiasm… Research has found that orange increases oxygen supply to the brain, produces an energizing effect, and stimulates brain activity.”[1]

With that in mind, a paint color like Farrow & Ball’s Dutch Orange is a fantastic choice for a home gym.  

Farrow & Ball isn't the most well-known of the paint companies but has definitely become one of the most respected over the years.

They produce high-quality products and specialize in deeper, richer colors - just like Dutch Orange (W76).[2] This color is clean, bright, and it can instantly liven up a space. 

Related Article - Home Gym Decor Ideas

2. Dragon’s Blood (Benjamin Moore) - Best For Energizing

Benjamin Moore is a paint brand that we all know and love, and the company has over 3,500 colors and 12 color collections for you to choose from.

One of the best choices for ramping up the energy in a home gym is Dragon’s Blood, product number CW-320.[3] 

This color was named after a pigment used in the 18th century. It's a soul-stirring shade of deep red that's dense and rich, giving a feel of energy that you won't find in many other colors. 

Because of its richness, it's best to pair Dragon's Blood with more subdued accent colors, like white, off-white, or tan. 

Read Also - Garage Gym Design Ideas On A Budget

3. Relaxing Green (Behr) - Best For Relaxation

The green color scheme has always been a go-to choice for inducing relaxation and creating a sense of calm. Green is considered a restful and quiet color, and a big reason for this is that it symbolizes nature and stress-free environments.  

For that reason, choosing a shade of green as your home gym paint color is an excellent choice if you want the space to feel calming, relaxing, and harmonious. You’ll want to go with a paler hue, like the shade from Behr called Relaxing Green (440E-1).[4]  

Relaxing Green is the best option for yoga and meditation, but it can also instill a much-needed sense of calm for high-intensity workouts like cardio and HIIT.

Best of all, you'll be able to paint your home gym on a budget if you go with Behr; this brand is known for its affordability and can be purchased at any Home Depot location. 

Learn More - Best Home Gym Lighting Options

4. Really Teal (Sherwin Williams) - Best For Small Home Gyms

If you’re working with a small space for your home gym, there are a few different tactics for making the room feel much larger than it actually is.

One option is to use a dark, contrasting color scheme throughout the room, and Really Teal (SW 6489) by Sherwin Williams is the perfect choice for this.[5]  

Really Teal may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you want to make your limited square footage count (especially for those with small apartment home gyms), this color can help. 

Try painting the wall on the far side of the room using Really Teal paint, then paint the remaining 3 colors in a lighter shade (such as off-white) to create the contrast needed to make the workout area feel more spacious.

5. Morning Sunshine (Benjamin Moore) - Best For Basement Gyms

While a basement is a great place to break a sweat at home, most basements are notorious for having low ceilings and being poorly lit because they lack natural light. 

For that reason, you'll want to choose a bright, vivid color like yellow if you plan on working out in a low-lit basement, such as Morning Sunshine (2018-50) by Benjamin Moore.[6]

There are a few reasons for choosing Morning Sunshine as the best paint color for a basement home gym.

First off, the energetic sunny hue can bring positive vibes to any type of workout. Second, this happy yellow instantly warms any dark basement, so you’ll actually want to spend time in your gym.

More Painting Ideas - How To Repaint Common Gym Equipment

6. Sandcastle Symphony (Glidden) - Best For Garage Gyms

Painting a garage gym can be tricky. Garages are often thought of as dreary spaces that are only useful for storing vehicles and yard equipment, so transforming yours into an inviting workout room can be a challenge.

You might automatically assume that bright colors like yellows, oranges, and reds would be ideal, but it's just the opposite.  

According to Bob Vila on the best paint for garage walls, “it’s usually recommended to select a neutral color for a garage, such as beige, tan, or gray. These shades are easier to clean than white but still bright enough that they won’t make the garage feel dark or cave-like.”[7]

Keeping this recommendation in mind, the best paint color for a garage gym is a Glidden color called Sandcastle Symphony (PPG12-32).[8]

It's great for brightening up a space while also remaining neutral, which are both important aspects of choosing a garage gym paint color.  

Related Article - Must-Do Steps To Convert Your Garage Into A Gym

7. Peace & Happiness (Benjamin Moore) - Best For Up-beat Vibes

If you want a calming space with happy vibes, very few colors compare to Peace & Happiness (1380).[9] The name of this Benjamin Moore paint says it all, and the pale violet hue is as peaceful as it gets.  

This color may be a bit too feminine for some of you, so keep that in mind before buying a gallon and applying your first coat.

But as long as you're OK with the idea of pale purple on your home gym walls, you can't go wrong with this shade. 

That's especially true if you pair it with complementary colors like White Heron, Chantilly Lace, and New Providence Navy. 

Should I Paint My Home Gym? (How-To Guide)  

While some of you may not view painting a space as a huge decision, others may feel differently. DIY painting takes time and patience, and hiring a professional can be costly.

There are even more considerations if you’re renting and don't own your home. If that’s the case, just make sure that painting the walls doesn’t violate the terms of your lease.  

Once you’ve come to the conclusion that painting is the way to go, the biggest decision (aside from choosing a color) is whether or not you want to hire out the job or do it yourself.

DIY painting is undoubtedly the more affordable choice; the cost to hire a painter can range anywhere from $20 to $50 per hour, or $1 to $6 per square foot.[10]

Let’s focus on the need-to-know details of DIY painting. Here are a few pieces of info that will help you get the job done on your own: 

1. Prep The Walls And Surrounding Space 

Any cracked, flaking, or peeling areas of paint need to be lightly sanded or scraped before applying new paint. Dirty spots may also need a bit of washing with soap, followed by a rinse with clean water.  

For all other areas of the wall, just wipe down the surface with a damp cloth so that the primer/paint will have a clean, dust-free surface to stick to. And don’t forget to move or cover any furniture and gym equipment! 

2. Make Sure To Use The Right Primer

If you’re painting fresh drywall, use a water-based primer to hide imperfections as well as provide an even base before applying color.

However, if you’re painting paneling, water-damaged, or smoke-saturated walls, opt for an oil-based primer instead.

3. What Paint Type Is Currently On the Walls - oil or latex?

Knowing the answer to this question will help you determine what type of primer to use. You can find out by soaking a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and rubbing a small area on the wall.

If the cotton ball has paint residue, the paint is latex, but if there’s no residue, it’s an oil-based paint (and you should use an oil-based primer). 

4. Use A "W" Formation When Painting With A Roller

By painting a "W” on the wall with the roller, you’ll be able to fill the empty spaces in a top to bottom motion. It’s the best method for evenly distributing the paint onto the wall.

5. Use High-Quality Painter's Tape

While taping takes time, using the right tape can save you time since you won’t need to be so careful around the edges. Plus, it makes for clean lines that have a very professional look.

Most importantly, it will protect your baseboards, built-in cabinets, and ceilings from the inevitable drips or uneven painting that can happen when painting by hand.

Once you have painted your home gym, check out our detailed guides below for painting your favorite pieces of equipment!

Frequently Asked Home Gym Paint Questions 

What kind of paint do you use for a gym? 

It depends on the location of your workout space. If it's indoors, you should use interior paint, preferably with low VOCs, to minimize chemicals and odors.

But if your home gym is set up in the garage or even in an unfinished basement, it's best to use paint that can withstand the elements and temperature changes, like an indoor/outdoor product. 

What paint finish (sheen) is best for workout spaces?  

Aside from color, another big thing to think about when deciding on paint is the type of finish or sheen. There are several sheens to choose from, including flat, glossy, eggshell, and semi-gloss.

Flat paints reflect light well, which can be calming, but it's difficult to wash. Glossier paints, on the other hand, look nice, but it's much easier to see flaws (like scuffs and marks).

Why do people paint gyms black? 

Black may seem like an odd choice, but it’s actually been proven to be super motivational and enhance fitness in a unique way.  

Some sources say that exercising in a dark space causes the brain neurons used for hearing, touching, and other bodily sensations to go into full gear, therefore improving how we move (and even feel)—others just like the "drama" of painting a space black.  

How much does it cost to paint a home gym? 

The biggest determining factor for painting costs is the size of the room and the square footage of the area that will be painted. It also depends on the type and quality of the paint you choose. Here’s what Forbes Advisor has to say on the cost to paint a room: