As you may or may not know my other half is a cyclist, he even owns his own bike shop. But in the winter he needs a space to train indoors. He had his bike in our spare bedroom and he was using his phone to watch training sessions. The room had things everywhere and he really needed a better setup. So I took this standard small bedroom and turned it into the perfect pain cave, complete with a custom entertainment and organization system. Here’s how I did it!
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Tools + Materials
Tools
Materials
- Self Adhesive Veneer
- Rustoleum Self Etching Primer
Decor
1. Before We Begin
There were couple things I had already updated before even starting this project. The first was a ductless heating and cooling system.
The second was taking out the laminate flooring and updating the hardwood.
2. Making the Plan
I started by taking photos of the space on my phone.
Then I transferred them to my iPad so I could design the entertainment and organization system that I had envisioned.
3. Demo
The baseboards were the first to go! Of course they were plastered over and installed with 4 inch nails, that was fun to take out. But this is the only room where I hadn’t updated the baseboards yet so it was time.
Then everything that was attached to the walls had to come down and the walls themselves got a good scraping, there were plenty of spots where the paint got chipped off when I was removing things and that needed to be smoothed out.
4. Prep and Paint
I patched up all the spots on the walls that needed to be smoothed out. Once that dried the following day I sanded it down until it was smooth.
Then I prepped the space for paint. I used paper to cover the hardwood floors since I was painting the ceiling as well as the walls.
Next I got to painting the ceiling. I typically remove any light fixtures when I’m painting a ceiling. But this room was way too dark to be able to do that so I had to just paint around it.
I primed this first wall but I didn’t paint it after priming because I had a veneer that I’d be applying behind the entertainment/organization system.
I also painted the windowsill and window screens. The windows in this house need to be replaced but it’s just not in our budget yet. So painting them to make them match is a bit of a band aid until we can replace them.
Then it was primer and paint for the rest of the walls.
5. Veneer Wall
I truly would have liked to panel this wall with wood but cutting around the HVAC unit just wasn’t realistic. So I got the same veneer product I used on Murphy Bed project instead. This veneer has a self adhesive backing and the best part is that you can stain and sand a veneer just like you would with wood.
A moment to be real…I love wood veneer. I did not love applying it to this wall because it was difficult to hide the seams. But to start the process I measured and traced out the space I would need for the HVAC unit, then I cut it with a blade.
Once it was all measured out it was just removing the backer, carefully placing it on the wall and then using a squeegee to make sure it was tightly stuck on. I love the way it looks but I wouldn’t recommend you use this as regular wallpaper, but since we built on top of it, it worked out great.
6. Locker Upgrade
I wanted to use lockers to really have that gym feel even at home. The ones I wanted were matte black and sold out. So I got these white lockers (they were on sale) and of course the day I finished this project the black ones came back in stock.
But if there’s one thing I know it’s how to change the color of a piece of furnityre. So I taped off the inside of the lockers, scuffed up the paint with sand paper, used Rustoleum’s Self Etching Primer, and then applied 3 or 4 coats of a matte black finish.
7. Build the Shelving System
To start the shelving system I first milled up all of the lumber and cut it to size. Can we take a moment to appreciate that I am able to cut 10 foot boards inside my shop without having to move the saw outside? It’s really the little things.
I decided to drill pocket holes in the undersides of all of these small boards and then glue them together. This way I didn’t have to wait overnight for them to dry before I could sand and finish them. I really wanted to be able to install them on the lockers the following day.
Next I was able to sand it down and apply finish and leave them to dry overnight.
8. Install Day
I brought the lockers in and put the shelf right on top.
I screwed it into place from the underside of the locker units and it was ready to go.
9. Bicycle Cubby Build
First I consulted the very official plan for this built in. I measured about 66 times but we’re still going to work on the bike cubbies first just in case we need to make any adjustments.
This next step was just measuring out and milling down the lumber to size using my track saw. When you really think about it, we’re just building a bunch different sized boxes. When you think about it that way it’s way less intimidating.
I used wood glue and pocket holes to assemble these cubbies. You’ll notice that the pocket holes are on the outside, this is because when they are installed the pocket holes will be facing the ceiling and hidden.
Once assembled it was time for stain.
As I moved back inside I screwed cleats into the studs in the wall so I would have a really sturdy place to mount the cubbies.
Then it was time to get them into place and screwed into the cleats.
Because these don’t have a bottom piece I did use a piece of wood as a spacer to make sure everything was square and even as I installed it.
10. TV Cubby Build
I essentially built this TV cubby in the same way. Start with boxes, add pocket holes, sand and stain.
Remember I said I measured 66 times? Never enough times. I did have to take down the side cubby to get the center cubby in first but then I was able to reinstall the side cubby without a problem.
Another thing I did to add some security was drill pocket holes into the top shelf under the HVAC unit so I could secure it straight into the studs of the wall behind it.
I added trim around all of the face edges, securing them into place with a nailer.
Then I caulked all of the seams to make sure they were smooth.
Finally I stained the edges with flat black stain to match the rest of the built in.
11. TV Time
What a screen! Chris chose this 85 inch Sony TV, which basically gives him an immersive theater for his workouts. And yes, it fits perfectly, like a glove in fact!
12. Radiator Cover Build
I made this really simple cover for the radiator. Essentially after putting it together I dropped it into place and touched up the paint, then it was ready to go.
13. Final Build Details
I finally got to replace the baseboards. Yay for the last baseboards in the house being done!
The window trim got the same upgrade!
The last thing I wanted to build for this space was a custom storage unit for the corner of the room. So I took some laminated pine and made a top to go on top of these two Ikea cabinets, then nailed it into place.
Once the top got finish it was ready to go.
This cabinet did cover an outlet so I used double sided tape to place a surge protector inside the cabinet for Chris to be able to charge all of the gadgets he uses for his rides.
I used these hooks to hang a couple of bikes inside the cubbies.
They actually look pretty cool hanging in there. I’m very happy with how these turned out.
The last build element to address was the closet door. Spoiler alert, this door actually ended up in my bedroom and I redo this closet in another project…which you can see here. But at this point in the project I just replaced the doorknob and painted it black.
14. Final Decor Details
It was finally time to swap out the light fixture in here and I opted for this ceiling fan and light combo in matte black.
Next it was just finishing touches like shades on the window.
Art on the walls.
And workout equipment to really make this into a home gym.
I am so happy with how this room makeover turned out! This truly is the indoor training space that Chris deserves. Over the years his indoor training spaces have been wherever he could fit his bike, sometimes our bedroom, the living room and even at one point a closet in my parent’s basement. So this space has been a long time coming for him. We have you to thank for helping make this possible! So until the next project, happy DIYing friends!
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