Drew Scott's home gym is a masterclass in making the most of a small space – and it's easy to recreate with his tips

A garage becomes a home gym under the watchful hand of the Property Brother – it's effective, characterful, and full of personal touches

drew scott on a neutral background
(Image credit: Noel Vasquez via Getty Images)

Did you know that Drew Scott used to be a personal trainer? Given his fitness background and his renovation/interior design present, there is no one better equipped to teach turning a small space into a highly effective home gym.

In a recent YouTube video, the Property Brother explained how he turned his garage into a home gym. Since it wasn't necessary to keep his car sheltered in California, Drew considered how to turn the area into an area that promotes wellness. He explains: 'I'm getting up there in years so it's not just about lifting heavy and trying to put on muscle. For me, it's more about having longevity of an enjoyable life, which means being able to move. I would like to touch my toes when I'm 80 years old.'

Part of what makes his home gym so effective is that he organizes his workout room in a way that maximizes space. For instance, he swears by adjustable dumbbells. Drew states: 'I have two sets of dumbbells in the garage here. I have also been a nerd and I've gone through every different type of dumbbell. I wanted adjustable dumbbells because otherwise I would have an entire section here full of dumbbells from 2lbs up to 100lbs.' He motions widely across the room. 'Whomever came up with the idea of adjustable dumbbells, I love you.'

Exclusive Look Inside Drew Scott's Epic Home Gym | Drew & Jonathan - YouTube Exclusive Look Inside Drew Scott's Epic Home Gym | Drew & Jonathan - YouTube
Watch On

Shop the Edit

Part of designing a home gym to maximize a small space is making sure that you include everything you personally need. Drew explains: 'There are some things that can turn a gym from being not quite functional to something perfect for you. For example, when I was having wrist issues, I couldn't do traditional pull-ups because the position hurt my arm and I wasn't great with a full rotation so I just added these straps.' He then shows how this custom equipment allows him to do pull ups in the way that works for his body.

Little, stylized touches make the small room feel like more than a functional space. Drew built speakers into the ceiling that he can control with his phone, which helps him to 'reset his brain,' alongside the physical benefits of a workout. He also had a 'Scott Family Gym' sign custom made for the back wall. It's also important to clean your home gym like you would any other area of your house to keep it looking spic and span.

garage home gym with climbing wall

A garage home gym, similar to Drew Scott's

(Image credit: Garolla)

Finally, the basis of what makes a basement or a garage gym work well is the flooring. Whether you want to upgrade, or just make your home gym look more expensive, Drew recommends starting with a foam base. He says: 'For anybody who's converting their garage into a gym, the ground is an important thing because you don't just want to be working on concrete. This is a sport court type floor it gives you a little bit of flex on the base but it's really strong and I could still drive a vehicle on it if I wanted to and then on top of that, you can see I have all the foam mats here that give me a little bit of cushion.'


Every space has the potential to be beautiful, and contribute design-wise to your home, even the most functional ones. By building a home gym that maximizes space and joy, you will want to spend more time there.


Sophie Edwards
News Editor

Sophie is a writer and News Editor on the Celebrity Style team at Homes & Gardens. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly passionate about researching trends and interior history. She is an avid pop culture fan and has interviewed Martha Stewart and Hillary Duff.

In her free time, Sophie freelances on design news for Westport Magazine and Livingetc. She also has a newsletter, My Friend's Art, in which she covers music, culture, and fine art through a personal lens. Her fiction has appeared in Love & Squalor and The Isis Magazine.

Before joining Future, Sophie worked in editorial at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens brand. She has an MSc from Oxford University and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.