6 Interior Design Trends In Climbing Gyms
As our industry evolves every year, so does the target clientele of the climbing gyms and subsequently - the climbing wall design styles.
With the highly advanced production technologies we have today, it has never been easier to have more colors, patterns, or custom prints on walls. It is in our hands to experiment with new ideas and explore unconquered territories. The possibilities are endless.
We delved into interior design and unsurprisingly, we witnessed a serious overlap between the big interior trends of the day and the styles of our favorite climbing gyms that have recently opened. We selected our preferred 2020 design trends and explored how they look when implemented in climbing gyms:
Natural wood
Natural wood has always been around in interior design with its dips and soars of popularity. People enjoy it in their homes as it adds a cozy feel to the living space. At the same time, quality wood elements bring elegance and sophistication to the interior.
But when it comes to climbing walls, the natural wood look was the standard more than 15 years ago, simply because the coating techniques we have today were underdeveloped and that was all the industry was capable of. When technology allowed us to make bright, colorful walls with improved texture, wood-look was abandoned, only to live as a nostalgic memory of the past.
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However, in recent times the wood look is making a return and it’s becoming hugely popular again. Whether used by itself or as a signature element of a multi-color design, it always makes climbers feel at home.
High contrast
In interior design, high contrast is fresh, simple, and timeless. It gives an extra-edgy feel, and to the opinion of experts, it’s about to make a major comeback.
In climbing gyms, high contrast walls are an awe-inspiring canvas, especially when combined with bright-colored holds. It is a style that will keep looking modern even 10 years after the wall is installed.
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Bold details
In recent years both interior and fashion designers enthusiastically play with textures, shapes, and colors. It takes excellent design skills to get the balance right when dealing with many elements. With climbing walls, bold details always seem to go a long way as they give the opportunity to achieve a stand-out look.
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In fact, they are featured in some of the most impressive and beloved gyms around the world.
Teal as a signature accent
Lately, teal is used everywhere, both in interior and in fashion design. And it’s not just another whim of the day – teal is a preferred signature color because it creates a calm, refreshing atmosphere wherever it is used, especially when combined with neutrals and wood.
Teal is currently one of the trendiest colors in climbing gyms and we hope it stays around for long.
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Soft colors as the new neutral
For many years interior design was strongly focused on neutrals with just a hint of bright color here and there for a change. But prevalent soft colors are coming back and to make a statement. Combining a few pastels in a thoughtful manner can make the design stand out like no other.
In the past, we haven’t seen a great number of gyms that embrace soft colors, but today their number is on the rise. After all, bright colors sure capture the eye, but they’re not the only way to win a climber’s heart.
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Additionally, soft colors provide a canvas for the routesetters to unleash their creativity and play with the active colors of the holds and volumes.
Designs that tell a story
In interior design, consumers are shifting away from the so-called “fast-furniture” – one that is cheap and cozy enough to have around. The reason is that it’s so overused that it loses individuality. People are willing to invest in higher quality furniture that reflects their personality and manifests their story.
The same is valid for climbing gyms. The ones we can’t get enough of don’t have a standard design. They don’t follow the trends. Their design is a narrative by itself, and it’s one that makes us feel like we belong.
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Invest in a Climbing Wall Design
We know the uncertainty of these troublesome days deter people to go all-in with big commitments and investments, but you can start with smaller steps. Like seeing how your gym would look like. We’re offering the option to invest in a gym design without further business commitment. Visualize your future gym, see it take shape, and take a virtual walk (now everything’s virtual, right). At a later time, when the world passes the troublesome times and you feel safe enough to dive in, you can take it further by signing a production contract, or you can just leave it there if you change your mind.