Twelve easy ways to make an art studio in your home, no matter how small or cluttered!

Here are some of my favorite inspirational studio spaces of artists, designers, and crafters (plus a few solid pieces to get you started!)

I've always dreamed of having a creative studio. In my head, my workspace features a big collaboration table smack dab in the middle of the room surrounded by storage and organization for all my vintage decor. In the past, we've never had the right space to create a work studio. However now that we've found our new home, my workspace dreams are going to become a reality!

I'm off to the farm this week to paint trim and stain the floor in the studio - the last bit of work to do before I can start setting up the space. Since there's really not much to show, I thought I'd share some ideas I've gathered for the space. I need shelving as I have books, frames, canvases...all that need a home. This bookcase is nice and I really like the brush holder. source I like the shallow shelves in this picture. They'd be great for all the cans and bottles of paint. The inspiration/bulletin board area is also really great. I do have an idea for an area to hang photos I'm working off of. source This one is one I really like - notice the canvas storage above the bookshelves and worktable. I want to replicate this is some form or fashion. source These shelves are only one can deep -I'd love something like this so I could see at a glance what paints I had. Loads of them too...I don't think you can have too many shelves. 😊 source Right now my oil paint tubes are in a toolbox. I'd love to have something like this that I could clip them on. Sure would make finding a certain color easy instead of digging through my box. source - #15 Another paint tube system also fabulous: source Love the idea of clip boards to clip inspiration photos up. You can usually find clipboards at the thrift store for next to nothing. source Another setup for canvas storage: source source This is an idea I could easily do - it's an old tv cart with pipe dividers. hmmm, guess I'll have to look for one if Bruce doesn't have time to build me one like in the previous photos. This one I like for the tin ceiling and large worktable in the center. Not sure if I'll have a table in the center though. However, I do plan on one against the wall like the back wall in the photo. source These are all great ideas and will help me figure out how to set the studio up. I am looking forward to planning the space out. SaveSaveSaveSave

This backyard art studio was created for a retired art teacher who loves to create art and share the experience with her two daughters.

Small attic spaces with low ceilings can often feel restrictive or remain unused in many homes. However, with a little creativity and thoughtful design, these cozy nooks can be transformed into functional and aesthetically pleasing

This weekend I celebrated my birthday with lots of fun activities. Part of the weekend included crafting with my sisters and making these adorable paper dolls inspired by Claudine Hellmuth. We met at a wonderful art store in Marin called Once Around, and they allowed us to use their classroom to make these dolls as a private class. My sister, Diana, helped coordinate the event - she made the samples for us and provided many of the supplies - thank you Dee! If you're ever in Mill Valley, make sure to check out this store called Once Around - it's very cool! Prior to the crafting event we had a wonderful lunch at Blue Barn at Corta Madera, one of my favorite spots for lunch... Picture of me & my sisters and my niece Natalie On Friday, I took the day off and spent some time in Petaluma antique shopping and also taking a class from Eileen Hull at Cathe Holden's amazing barn. Below are a few shots from her barn. Cathe Holden and I My sister Maryl and teacher Eileen Hull What great inspiration for redoing my craft room someday! Cathe you've collected some amazing pieces and your barn is a dream...love it all! Here's a picture of the project I made in the class. We used a Sizzix die to cut out the cover and pages. Thank you Eileen for a fun and inspiring class! Another nice bday surprise was being published in the Oct/Nov/Dec issue of Somerset Life. One of my recent necklaces that I constructed from several necklaces was featured. Thank you friends and family for all the bday wishes and thoughtful and generous gifts! It was a wonderful weekend of celebrations!

East Coast born and raised, she settled in New York for School. Now she parses her time between her Clinton Hill studio and assisting the painter Bjarne Melgaard.

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My first studio space after college was the corner of the living room in my Atlanta apartment on Collier Road. My designated space had beige walls we weren’t allowed to paint, carpeted floors, and measured approximately 5 ft by 5 ft. Since then I’ve rented studio space in two different Atlanta locations, and four in North Carolina before moving into the space I have now. There was the Goat Farm, where I rented a third of a plywood-walled room with no windows (shared with a photographer friend and a playwright who I rarely saw), a lovely place in Roswell where I occupied the front sixth (approximately) of an open concept co-working space, the light-soaked sunroom in my first NC rental home, the studio on King Street where I met my friend Emma, and the next couple studios on the second story of a historic downtown Brevard building with no heat or AC, where Emma and I continued to be studio neighbors before both moving our studios to our own homes. While each space came with its own quirks, charms, perks, decor choices, and frustrations, after inhabiting all eight (!) studios, I’ve zeroed in on a few simple things that make ANY studio, regardless of size or quirk level, feel inviting, functional and conducive to creativity. And if you’re new to the habit of getting creative, I have something to help you with that, too. Now, on to setting up your studio… View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize 1) The first thing I recommend setting up is some kind of tiered cart. This can be as tall or tiny as you need it to be, but a place to store your paints, brushes, and any other medium you use is essential. Having the cart on wheels is especially helpful if you are working in a space that doubles as a living area or guest room, and your studio needs to be consolidated or tucked away regularly. If you need help choosing the paints, tools, and materials to stock your cart, check out my Materials Guide. 2) The second element of a functioning studio is a table. I use a stainless steel table which has plenty of room for my palette, most frequently used paints, a few brushes, and whatever small painting I’m working on at the time. If you’re carving out a space at home, try setting up a card table you won’t worry about getting messy, or if you don’t have the space, spread a canvas or vinyl drop cloth over your kitchen/dining table and roll your paint cart right up next to you when it’s time to get to work. 3) Third, you need a chair or stool. I use a stool when I’m painting larger canvases since I’m roughly the same height sitting on a stool as I am standing, and can easily transition between the two depending on how much physical movement is required for the actual painting process. This might sound ridiculously obvious, but I’ve had studios without an actual chair in it, and there’s something that’s an inherent bummer about getting tired and having to sit directly on a concrete floor (that may or may not have wet paint on it) instead of on a chair. These next two are optional depending on the scale of your paintings. If you only paint small and on paper, you might not want an easel, and likewise if you are limited on space, there’s no need to set up a shelving system. 4) If you paint on canvas or panel and have the space, I recommend using an easel. Easels can be small, one foot tall tabletop easels, or they can be eight foot tall pieces of furniture requiring a space of their own. The key benefit is that they elevate paintings to eye level so you’re not constantly straining your neck. In that first apartment corner, my “easel” was two level nails in the wall I hung canvases on to paint. One fateful day I stumbled into the Blick store on 7th and Peachtree and in the back of the dimly-lit sale section was the nicer version of the easel I wanted but was too expensive at the time, heavily discounted and ready for immediate sale. I’ve been using that easel ever since. 5) Lastly, if you have a space carved out for your creative practice that is relatively stable (not something you have to break down and put away after each painting session), shelving is a simple element of a studio that will immediately make you ten times more organized. I have a set of wire utility shelves from Target that store all my packing envelopes, pads of paper, small canvases, extra paints, power tools, canvas scraps, you name it. These are the things that accumulate as you develop a more regular painting practice, but can make your space feel cluttered and distracting. Just a set of utility shelves (small or tall) to store it all works wonders in keeping your studio organized. These are the five things I have in my studio that make all the difference. The key to a functional studio space is having a place for everything, and if it’s at all possible leave your space set up!!! Half the battle is getting out your materials and setting up your space, so if there’s anywhere you can leave your paint cart, have a few shelves, and keep a canvas at arms reach, by all means carve out that space and make it your own! If your studio currently looks a lot like my first studio (a corner of a shared space), start by focusing on those first three simple elements: a paint cart, a table, and a chair. You likely have at least two out of three already, and it’s all easy enough to break down and re-assemble if you’re unable to leave your creative space in tact from day to day. Do you have a studio space you’re working from? Even if it’s just a spot at the kitchen table? Let me know! Click HERE for a downloadable PDF with the 5 Elements to make your studio space functional & inviting. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR SOMEONE CREATIVE LIKE YOU: - Six Steps to Kickstart Your Own Creative Practice -- My Top 5 Essential Studio Tools -- 15 Sketchbook Prompts -

A collection of whimsical art studio spaces. Find inspiration for your art studio here along with practical organization tips for your art studio.