How To Hide A Treadmill In A Living Room: Creative Ways & Ideas In 2023

A treadmill is a very effective piece of fitness equipment that makes a great addition to any home workout environment. But it’s also big and bulky, making it somewhat of a problem if you’ve got limited living space. So, how can you enjoy the benefits of this workout equipment without it taking up much needed space or having any eyesore in the middle of your entertaining area? By finding inventive ways to hide your treadmill, you are able to have the best of both worlds. In this article, we’ll reveal 14 clever answers to the question of how to hide a treadmill. We’ll also answer the most commonly asked questions about treadmills and confined spaces.

How To Hide A Treadmill The Easiest Way

Here are some creative, cost effective ways to hide your treadmill in plain sight.

Use A Decorative Folding Screen

A decorative folding screen can provide an attractive, cost-effective way to hide your treadmill while actually improving the décor of your environment. A six panel folding screen works best for this purpose.

A folding screen is ideal if the treadmill is located in your main living area, as it will shield the exercise equipment from view while also providing an open space at either end. Alternatively, you may wish to angle your treadmill across a corner and place the folding screen in front of it.

Decorative folding screens are lightweight and portable. It is very easy to move them aside when you are wanting to use the treadmill. There is a vast range of folding screen designs available, so you should be able to find one that meets your taste and works with your current decor.

A folding screen is ideal if the treadmill is located in your main living area, as it will shield the exercise equipment from view while also providing an open space at either end.

Use Decorative Panel

Rather than using a folding screen as a room divider, you may wish to use a single decorative panel to hide your treadmill. These panels are usually made out of hardwood. While not as easy to move aside as a folding panel, they are still relatively user-friendly, allowing you access to the treadmill whenever you need it.

If you cannot find a decorative panel that fits in with your taste and decor, you can buy a plain panel and decorate it yourself.

Get A Customized Treadmill Cover

You can purchase a customized treadmill cover that will fit perfectly over your machine. Treadmill covers are available in a range of styles, shapes and sizes from Amazon and other retailers.

As well as hiding your treadmill, the cover will also protect it from dust and debris. If you are keeping your treadmill in a basement or other potentially damp areas, it will also protect it from inclement weather. Treadmill covers are also UV resistant, making them a good way to protect the treadmill from sun damage.

If you are creative, you can even make your own treadmill cover that fits perfectly with the decor of your environment.

Hide Your Treadmill In Plain Sight

Hiding the treadmill in plain view involves drawing the attention of visitors to other things in the room, so that the treadmill itself goes unnoticed. One way to do this is to match the color of the treadmill to that of the wall behind it.

Treadmills have an ‘L’ shape, with the long part running along the floor and the short part coming up vertically to finish at the console. If you place an eye-catching picturesque canvas directly above the treadmill, you will draw the eye to it rather than the treadmill.

You can also position a green-leafy plant in the vicinity of the machine. In fact, there are all sorts of ways to de-emphasize a treadmill while drawing people’s attention to other focal points. Use your imagination to come up with the best way to hide your treadmill in plain view.

Hang Curtains Or Drapes

Hanging drapes or curtains is a relatively simple, cost-effective way to hide a treadmill with a room divider covering. This can be done in a number of ways, including using a flexible ceiling mounted track, using bow-shaped curtain rods to create a corner bay to enclose the treadmill and making use of rolling screens that have curtain inserts fitted in them.

A curtain or drape room divider allows you to select curtain material that best suits your taste and fits in with your existing decor. When you hang drapes or curtains, you will soften the room, so this option works well with soft furnishings.

When you are ready to use the treadmill, you simply have to pull the curtains open and start exercising.

Use A Room Divider

A room divider will create a separate area of your living space for the treadmill. As with folding decorative screens, room dividers are available in all sorts of styles to match your decor. Room dividers come in styles that allow you to curb them around the treadmill, set them in a zigzag pattern or simply have them standing horizontally in front of the machine.

Look for a specific feature in the room to match the room divider with. This could be a lampshade, chair or even a pattern on some cushions.

Build A Wall

Building a wall for your treadmill is easier than you may think. Rather than resorting to bricks and mortar, simply use a bookcase to create a half wall that comes up to the height of the handlebars of the treadmill. Hang a piece of artwork on the original wall on the other side of the treadmill to draw the eye of visitors.

Encase The Treadmill

If you have a big enough room divider, you will be able to completely encase the treadmill with it. One way to do this is to put the treadmill on an angle in the corner of the room and place the room divider around it. Make sure that the room divider blends in with the surrounding decor and place decorative objects, such as a plant, in front of it.

Use A Bookshelf For A Natural Look

You can hide your treadmill in plain sight by simply putting a bookshelf in front of it, creating a natural room divider. Put an assortment of interesting books on the shelf, along with family photos and other decorative objects that will draw the eye. You may wish to combine a bookshelf with a divider which is placed directly behind it.

Try to place the bookshelf and the treadmill that is behind it, in a centered position to enhance the symmetry of the room.

If you are going to place furniture in front of the treadmill, be aware that you need a certain amount of room around the machine for access when you are working out. We recommend allowing a minimum of 20 inches (50 cm) clearance either side and 40 inches (1 m) behind the back of the treadmill.

Treat It Like A Work Of Art

Rather than hiding your treadmill, why not treat it as a focal point? After all, it is a testament to your dedication and desire to achieve peak health and fitness. That is something to be celebrated, not hidden away.

Treating your treadmill like a work of art is a great idea in a minimalist environment. If there are too many other objects in the room, the addition of a treadmill will only make the room look cluttered.

If you haven’t yet purchased your treadmill, make style and form one of your buying considerations. Of course, this should also be balanced with functionality. Some of the best design focused treadmills, some of which are a fashion statement in themselves, are put out by Technogym and Yanko design.

Put Furniture In Front

One of the easiest ways to hide your treadmill is to place furniture in front of it. A large couch, for example, will probably almost completely secure the treadmill from view. Other large objects, such as cabinets or your TV will also cover the majority of the treadmill.

If you don’t have this much clearance, make sure that you pull the furniture away from the machine so that, when you are working out, you do have ample room.

Store It In A Closet Or Under The Bed

Modern treadmills are lightweight and transportable. You can also buy a folding treadmill for ease of storage. This makes it relatively easy to store your treadmill in a closet or under a bed after your workout. Check out how to move a treadmill quickly and safely.

You will have to be a person who doesn’t have to physically see their exercise equipment to be motivated enough to use it. If you aren’t, your fitness investment will probably end up collecting dust under your bed. But, if you are, it’ll only take a minute or two to pull the machine out and set it up. Check out our research into the best under bed treadmills.

Modern treadmills are lightweight and transportable. This makes it relatively easy to store your treadmill in a closet or under a bed after your workout.

Convert An Underutilized Space

Do you have some space that is currently not being fully utilized that you could put the treadmill in? This could be a basement, attic or loft that you convert into an exercise room. Make sure that the space isn’t too cramped, that it won’t allow you to move freely and that it allows for a free flow of air. You should also be mindful of being so close to neighbors that you upset them with the noise of your feet pounding on the treadmill.

Is It OK To Have A Treadmill Upstairs?

Yes, it is okay to have a treadmill upstairs. The weight of the treadmill combined with your own body weight will not be enough to stress the floorboards of a sound house. Therefore, you should not have any concerns about the treadmill collapsing through the ceiling.

A problem that you may experience when you have a treadmill located upstairs is that the people downstairs can hear the noise coming from your workout as your feet pound down on the running belts. You can reduce this by placing an equipment mat under the treadmill. You can also acquire treadmills that have noise reducing features such as enhanced cushioning built into them. Check out the best cushioned treadmills here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Put A Treadmill In A Living Room?

You can put a treadmill in a living room if there is no bedroom or basement to accommodate it. You may choose to keep the treadmill visible as a feature of your living space. Alternatively, you can use a range of methods to hide the treadmill. These include decorative folding screens, a room divider, a treadmill cover and makeshift walls.

How Can I Hide My Exercise Equipment?

You can hide your exercise equipment by covering it with a treadmill cover. Other methods to hide the treadmill are putting it behind a decorative folding screen, using a room divider, hanging curtains or drapes around the treadmill and putting furniture in front of it. If you don’t want to keep the treadmill in your living space, you can store it in a cupboard or under a bed.

Where Can I Put A Treadmill In My House?

You can put a treadmill anywhere in your home that you have room for. However, you should avoid putting it in damp areas and places where the air circulation is not very good. You should also ensure that there is enough space to move freely around the treadmill without any obstruction.

How Much Space Do You Need Around A Treadmill?

The amount of space you need around a treadmill is a minimum of 20 inches (50 cm) either side and 40 inches (1 m) behind the treadmill. This will allow enough room to get on and off the machine without obstruction. It will also make it possible to clean under the treadmill to remove dust and debris and to lubricate the running belt.

Can I Put A Treadmill Next To A Wall?

No, you cannot put a treadmill next to a wall. That is because you need to provide clearance to the sides and back of the machine for ease of access and cleaning purposes. The treadmill can, though, be placed with its front near a wall. Allow 20 inches (50 cm) either side and 40 inches (1 m) behind when positioning the machine.

Conclusion

Having reached the end of this article, you no longer have to wonder how to hide a treadmill. We’ve provided you with 14 creative ways to keep your treadmill from view that will enhance your decor while also allowing ready access to the treadmill for a great home cardio workout at any time.

How To Hide A Treadmill In A Room