I hear people say they have passions they care about…and yet, no space in their home reflects that passion.
The running shoes left in a pile in the hall closet…
The yoga mat rolled up behind a door…
The instruments, books, or art materials scattered and hidden. And then we wonder why our hobbies fade into the background of our lives.
This is where I give you FULL permission to think differently. The life you want to live doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when your environment makes it easier to show up as the person you want to be.
When you devote a space—intentionally and unapologetically—to something you love, you remove friction and turn desire into daily practice. The space itself becomes an invitation. A reminder. A source of momentum!
Let’s talk about what that can look like…
The Personal Fitness Studio
For weightlifters, runners, yogis, or anyone who feels passionate about health and fitness, environment matters more than motivation. A dedicated fitness space eliminates the mental negotiation that derails good intentions.
Imagine a room where your treadmill is positioned toward natural light and where stretching space is always open and uncluttered. You can picture the perfect storage for shoes, foam rollers, and recovery tools lined up…
This doesn’t have to be a dream! Your home is what you choose to make it.
Writing, Journaling, and Book Collecting
Writing flourishes with quiet and comfort. A dedicated writing room (or a thoughtfully designed nook) signals to your mind that this is a place for clarity and reflection.
Start with built-ins for books that matter to you, plus a desk positioned to avoid distraction. Comfortable seating should invite long sessions. Layered lighting should adapt naturally from day to evening.
Home Cinema and Screening Rooms
A true screening room is not about the biggest screen, it’s about complete absorption in the experience. Soundproofing is key, as is seating. You want to support long viewing without distraction. Smart lighting can fade automatically away entirely when the film begins…
Photography
Photography deserves a space that honors creativity and craft!! This can include areas for editing, or a space with a backdrop for portraits, or display walls for rotating work, or thoughtful storage for equipment…or all of the above!! The one essential is controlled lighting that supports reviewing images accurately.
A room like this is where mastery grows…
Home Brewing
Brewing beer at home combines chemistry, timing, patience, and pride. A well-designed brewing space includes smart storage, easy-clean surfaces, proper ventilation, and a workflow design that supports preparation as well as brewing.
Wine or Spirits Collecting
Collecting wine or spirits is about sooo much more than storage!! For starters, you need temperature control and proper lighting.
Then, mix in display and ritual. Dream up a space where savoring and sharing are part of the experience, too!
Just look at this list of wine cellar ideas shared a few months ago…
Cooking as a serious Hobby
For passionate cooks, the kitchen becomes a studio. This may mean dedicated prep zones, specialty appliances, expanded storage for tools and ingredients, and layouts designed for flow rather than foot traffic.
A kitchen designed for serious cooking supports what you love to do without compromise.
Not sure what your kitchen priorities should be? Ask yourself these kitchen remodel questions first…
Outdoor Cooking, Smoking, and Pizza Ovens
Outdoor cooking spaces thrive when they’re designed as destinations instead of “add-ons.” Start with the must-have weather protection, then think through integrated storage, prep surfaces, and seating that match your preferred activities.
Painting, Drawing, and Mixed Media Art
If you make ANY kind of art, you know that your hobby benefits from light, organization, and—the important piece that no one ever puts into words—permission to leave things in progress.
A dedicated art studio includes natural light, washable surfaces, generous storage, and display areas that inspire the next piece!!
Gaming
Adult gaming spaces benefit from ergonomic seating and acoustic considerations first and foremost; then, a careful look at lighting and layouts supports long sessions and multiple players.
Audiophile Listening Rooms
A listening room is a study in acoustics and proportion. Speaker placement, sound treatment, lighting, and seating work together to create an environment where music or podcasts or audiobooks are felt in a deep way.
Sewing, Textile Arts, and Knitting
Textile work requires custom organization and PLENTY of natural light. A dedicated sewing or knitting room includes smart storage, large work surfaces, remote controlled window treatments, and seating designed for comfort over time.
Music Practice
Music practice also benefits from acoustic consideration, plus storage for instruments and an atmosphere that feels safe and intimate. A music room tells you it’s okay to play, to practice, and even to be imperfect.
This is ideal for anyone practicing music…and for everyone elsewhere in the home, too!!
You DON’T need to justify these spaces. You don’t need to minimize your hobbies. You don’t need to wait.
The rooms we design around what we love become the rooms that give us the most Return On Enjoyment®.
And when your environment supports your passions, showing up for them becomes inevitable. That’s YOUR life designed with intention!!
If your home hasn’t yet made space for what matters most to you, now is the moment to imagine what’s possible—and start shaping a home that supports your best life, every single day!! Inquire with our team now!
About the author:
Robin Burrill, RID, NCIDQ, ASID, IDS, CAPS, is an award-winning professional kitchen, bath, and interior designer. Robin and her husband, Robert Mathews, have owned Signature Home Services, Inc. for over three decades, establishing a superior in-house team with a widespread reputation for delivering meticulous design to their many repeat clients.
In 2022, the national publication, Kitchen and Bath Design News magazine, named Robin to their Top Innovator list in recognition of her achievements in the field of kitchen and bath design. In 2024, she was named one of the Fall 2024 Market Pros and “tastemakers” by ANDMORE at High Point Market. In 2024 and again in 2025, Fixr identified her as one of the Top Professional Interior Designers for their nationwide audience. At the start of 2025, she then acted as one of Dallas Market’s “Style Eyes” at Lightovation and Total Home & Gift Market.
Over her extensive career, Robin has been quoted in Architectural Digest and Forbes multiple times; her design work has been featured in top national trade publications; and she has been interviewed for Designers Today magazine’s “Profiles in Design” video series, among others. Widely respected for the depth of her knowledge, Robin is a sought after speaker and judge for many design industry events.
In 2023, Robin designed a bench for Charleston Forge, making her foray into product design. Robin currently serves as a volunteer on the board of the Dallas/Ft. Worth chapter of the Interior Design Society.
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