It can be hard to get to the gym on a good day, but on a day low in motivation, taking the steps to get there is even harder. Everything looks heavier. Those weights in the corner are an even bigger eyesore. But sometimes, a little perspective—or a new coat of paint—is the first step to a new habit. To learn more, we reached out to interior decorator Mary Bryant Smith of M.B. Smith Design for an expert’s advice on creating a workout area within your own home.

“If you’re looking for an energizing space, look for warm colors like yellows and reds,” Smith says. “In fact, there’s been a study recently on color and the way people respond to it, and apparently the ‘happiest’ color—or the one that makes people feel the best—is pink, believe it or not.”

Warm and bright lighting are also important for creating energy, though cooler, softer tones might be more in tune with the quieter atmosphere desired for calming workouts like yoga.

But what about the equipment we need? The weights, or even the full-fledged treadmills?

“If you really wanted to hide workout equipment in a room that isn’t a designated home gym, you could try to use a hinged screen in a corner of a room and keep everything behind that,” she says. “Or, if hiding something would be impossible and you wanted to just incorporate the workout equipment into the space itself, I would suggest picking up on a certain style, like industrial chic or industrial farmhouse, that complements the aesthetic.”

Metals, exposed pipes, rustic bricks. Not a bad look for our era’s love of natural textures and comforting details. And as our peek into Title Boxing Club told us, an energizing splash of red may be just the motivator for a mood-enhanced room.

Check out this at-home workout flow from Meredith Waguespack of Don’t Stop Just Geaux here.

This article originally appeared in an October 2020 edition of inRegister@Home.