When you think of an artist’s studio, what do you picture? Most people will use the words “disorganized” or “cluttered” to describe the sanctuary of self-expression, where artist’s bury themselves for hours and hours on end. Although that might be true to an extent, the mess and the artist are not directly correlated, but sometimes it is inevitable. These creative minds usually have a lot (and I mean A LOT) of paraphernalia which makes even a large space seem tiny. So we’ve compiled a few ideas that might help you make the most of your own artist’s studio.
1. Get yourself a LARGE and FLAT table to work on
Although a wooden table might look beautiful with the rustic theme you’ve picked out, you have to make sure that the surface is free of cracks and lines. The flatter and smoother the surface, the easier it will be to work on top of it and clean it afterward. If you spend a lot of time drawing or writing, try to find a drafting table that you can move out of the horizontal position to a vertical position (trust us, your back will be grateful.) And finally, if you can find a table with shelving underneath, you’ll have that space to store whatever you aren’t working on at the moment, preventing the clutter and the mess.
2. Storage, storage, storage!
The more, the merrier! Putting up shelves and organizing your materials in pots and bowls will instantly open up space in your studio. To make it even easier to find your things, try labeling your shelves and drawers or just have all of your storage exposed so that you can see all of your materials. Keep everything conveniently organized based on what you use the most and consider getting a small stool to climb on if you can’t reach that top shelf.
3. Mood lighting is a MUST
Putting on makeup in the wrong lighting can catch you by surprise when you go outside and your face and neck are different colors. The same can happen to your artwork! Low lighting can make it hard for your eyes to focus and make them tired much quicker than usual, so appropriate lighting can not only help you work for longer, but it can also put you in a better mood!
4. A wall-mounted craft paper dispenser is great for reminders and doodles
Chalk boards will do the job too, but craft paper isn’t erasable and can be an archive of your thoughts. The uses for this convenient wall-mounted dispenser are infinite; whether you want to write your to-do list on it or even make quick impromptu sketches!
5. Clear the floors
If Murphy’s law has taught us anything, it’s that we can’t always have nice things. If it can happen, it probably will, and you won’t be very happy when there’s a big paint stain on your new rug. Keeping the floors clear will make it easier to move around your space and will minimize the mess!
6. Mirrors to amplify the space
Adding mirrors to your studio will not only open up the space and make it look bigger, but they can also be a good resource. For artists who draw portraits, mirrors will aid in study and practice, but even for those who don’t draw, mirrors will bring light and depth into the room, making it a much more enjoyable place to work.
7. Have more than one seating option
You’ll probably spend long hours working in your studio so you’ll need a comfortable chair or couch to sit in when your back is about to give in. On the other side, though, you’ll probably also need a more dynamic seating option that will make it easier for you to work, like a simple wooden stool. Also, consider going for chairs with wheels so you will never be bound to one position (not to mention that you get to be super lazy and never leave your chair)!
8. Keep the cleaning supplies handy!
At the end of the day, a mess might be inevitable, but it’s always good to have a fresh start in the morning! If you keep your cleaning supplies close by, you’ll be able to clean up before it even becomes a problem. Organizing your studio can reset your brain and allow you to take a step back and look at all of your work. Cleaning can become a time of reflection and it will make your studio a much more comfortable environment to be in.
