Jennifer Garner's on-trend home gym demonstrates the benefits of multi-purpose spaces

A cozy and calming scheme brings warmth to the actress's gym – but it's beautiful enough to be used for a variety of activities

jennifer garner on a purple background
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The words 'chic' and 'home gym' are rarely in the same sentence, but it's the only way to describe Jennifer Garner's space.

The 13 Going on 30 actress took to Instagram to share a silly video jumping around on a mini trampoline. Behind her, plyometric jumping blocks and a mini basketball hoop indicate that she uses this room mainly as a home gym. However, based on the carefully curated design of the room, that's not the only activity the space is good for. 

In fact, Garner's design taps into one of the biggest interior design trends of 2024: the modern rustic style. This look is defined by the use of a warm neutral color scheme and a combination of contemporary lines with natural materials.

The actress's home uplifts the modern rustic look in a simple way with hardwood floors and exposed beams on the ceiling. Paneled wooden doors open to a porch, filling the room with natural light. Her cream walls and cream curtains bring a contemporary, intentionally designed flair to these organic wood details.

exposed beams in a landing of an old farmhouse decorated with rugs and chairs

A rustic modern farmhouse with vaulted ceilings and exposed beams, similar to Jennifer Garner's space.

(Image credit: Penny Wincer)

Experts love this scheme, which creates a warming space. 'The rustic modern trend, coupled with distinctive architectural features and neutral elements, creates a space that is not only visually appealing but also comfortable and connected to nature,' says Nina Lichtenstein, Westchester-based interior designer.

Nina Lichtenstein
Nina Lichtenstein

Nina Lichtenstein is the founder and principal home designer at her eponymous design studio, based in Westchester, NY. Nina believes that home design should capture a family’s unique spirit by how it serves the family's daily needs while nourishing the soul. She has been celebrated for designing, renovating, and building elegant living spaces. 

She continues, 'The large A-frame beamed ceiling becomes a design asset, offering ample natural light, stunning views, and a sense of architectural grandeur, ultimately enhancing the overall positive effects of the room.'

Aside from the simple facts of their beauty, the gorgeousness of Garner's home gym reveals clever planning in terms of how she uses her home. Due to the timeless paint and design details in the space, it can be easily used for other purposes as her interests change. Whether that's turning the room into a home office or a library, it's just a matter of swapping in some furniture, rather than redesigning the whole room to turn it into a desing-led room.


Shop the Rustic Modern Look

Shop cozy, natural wood details to incorporate the rustic modern look into any space. Even if you don't have exposed beams or hardwood floors in your home, these light fixtures and stool signify their timeless charm with a low commitment.


If Jennifer Garner's home gym demonstrates anything, it's that the bones of a room are important. A rustic modern look just might be one of the most beautiful, timeless, and classic ways to design a space.

Sophie Edwards
News Editor

Sophie is a London-based News Editor at Homes & Gardens, where she works on the Celebrity Style team. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly excited when researching trends or interior history. Sophie is an avid pop culture fan. As an H&G editor, she has interviewed the likes of Martha Stewart, Hilary Duff, and the casts of Queer Eye and Selling Sunset. Before joining Future Publishing, Sophie worked as the Head of Content and Communications at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens and furniture brand. She has also written features on exciting developments in the design world for Westport Magazine. Sophie has an MSc from the Oxford University Department of Anthropology and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.