November 16, 2021 |

Top Tips for Setting Up Your Art Studio

You know the feeling. Artistic inspiration strikes, you're excited to start a project and then you remember that before you get started, you have to drag all of your supplies out of the closet and take over the kitchen table (or the living room, or the office... you get the idea) for a few days. By the time you've got everything all set up, you don't feel like creating at all. While we can't help everyone create a whole new space out of thin air, we can help you find a space in your home that is perfect for creating art.

Finding A Space

Convert your attic, garage, or basement
- *IMPORTANT* Before doing this, think about the humidity, temperature variations, and ventilation in the space. All of these things can have a huge impact on your materials, and a poorly ventilated space can be damaging to your health depending on what materials you're using.
Claim a closet
- Paint it a bright, clean color, organize it, put a comfortable chair or stool in there and you've got yourself a cozy little studio space.
Takeover part of a room
- Use a privacy screen, shelving, or even hang a sheet to divide up a large room in your home and make that little corner your space with a desk and some organization

Lighting

One of the most important things to think about when deciding where to put your studio space, whether it's permanent or temporary, is light. Natural light is always best (Northern light gives a lovely, soft glow), but if you can't get natural light in your space, using high-quality artificial lighting can be nearly as good.

Artist Kei Meguro's (@keimeguro) setup is bright with lots of greenery

Minimize Distractions

Try to find a space with little clutter and minimal visual distractions if that's what you need to feel inspired. Additionally, find a space where you can't be bothered and you can just be with your art. To go along with this, once you have your space set up and clean, keep it clean and tidy!

Organize

This is especially important if you don't have a dedicated space to leave everything set up all the time. If that's the case, a rolling cart is a great way to store your supplies and roll them out when you're ready to create. It's kind of like a mini art studio on wheels! Try out different bins, baskets, jars, and systems until you find what works for you. Once you've figured that out, store your supplies in a way that makes them easy to access and also makes you happy and excited to be creating art. You'll also want to clearly label everything so you can find what you're looking for quickly. Finally, if you do have a designated studio space, use vertical storage to maximize your space. Pegboards, shelves, and cubbies are your friends!

We love how artist Joy Ting Charde (@joycharde) has repurposed containers for storage!

Let Inspiration Strike

Put a few items that inspire you in your studio or place that you do art in the most. Plants, photos of nature, favorite prints, or fun quotes are all great things to have around. Just don't forget to water your plants!