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15 Ways To Be More Inspired by Your Studio
Ideas for Your Workspace Walls, Layout, Lighting, Storage and More
My husband and I live in a 1950 ranch-style home a few miles west of Madison, Wisconsin. When I'm not working, I like to do projects around my house, get out in my solo canoe or go camping, read design and psychology blogs and work on mixed media art.
My husband and I live in a 1950 ranch-style home a few miles west of Madison,... More »
If you generally spend your free time in a form of creative expression, you're probably well aware of the importance of a well planned studio. Arranging a space that speaks to you is always a good start, but taking the time to consider the functionality of your layout goes a long way as well. In addition, any area used for projects and undertakings can quickly become quite messy, pulling forth a need for simple organization tactics. Most of all, a studio should be a place you can go to unwind and hang out.
Although this may sound like a lot of rules for such a free-feeling space, it's really easy to maintain once you find a routine. Read ahead to see 15 beautiful studios and what makes each one shine.
Although this may sound like a lot of rules for such a free-feeling space, it's really easy to maintain once you find a routine. Read ahead to see 15 beautiful studios and what makes each one shine.
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by Paul DeGroot
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| Work around an island. Having a workspace you can walk around offers numerous advantages. Not only do you have more freedom because you are able to walk around, but you can also spread out and work on multiple projects at a time. |
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by VisuaLingual
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| Hang your music poster collection. As random as that may sound, studio walls are the perfect place to hang prints you've accumulated over the years. Silk-screened prints from concerts you've been to tend to fit in well here. Put them anywhere else and you run the risk of looking like a frat house, but tacked to walls in your studio, the colorful graphics are sure to get your creative juices flowing. |
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| Create an inspiration wall. Inspiration walls are much needed if you like to spend your free time clipping magazines or tend to accumulate small paper items. Be sure to keep a bin of tacks nearby so you don't end up with endless piles all over the place. |
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by Nicole Lanteri
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| Pull the desk away from the wall and face the room. There's nothing less productive than sitting at a desk that faces the wall when when you find yourself in a creative rut. Pulling your workspace away from the perimeter enables you to look up and enjoy the beautiful room you've come up with. |
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by Vintage Renewal
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| Angle your workstation. Rather than feeling like you are boxed in, try positioning your desk on an angle. It will make the room feel more open when you're sitting and allow you to work from a perspective you aren't used to. |
by Ninainvorm
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Use multiple light sources. Having more than one light source is a great way to illuminate just what you are focusing on rather than lighting the entire room. Keep your eyes peeled for vintage enameled desk lamps next time you are at a thrift store.
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| Take advantage of corner space. Because working in the corner of a desk isn't manageable unless the desk top is angled, it's easy to find yourself with either wasted space or a graveyard for unfinished projects. Use this area wisely by setting a shelf at an angle or for storing large items. |
| Add a washing station. It isn't feasible for every studio to have a sink nearby, it is something to consider if you work with a medium that requires a lot of cleanup. Activities such as painting and printmaking are quite messy to take care of in the kitchen sink and often leave behind a bigger mess than what you started with, making it just another area to clean up. |
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| Store materials in bins that match. Studios are notorious for collecting random piles of tools and materials. Keep things easy on the eyes by purchasing multiple sets of bins that match. Another benefit of this storage method is the fact that your things will be easy to find and even easier to put away — just pull the box down and shovel everything in. |
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Store ribbon and fabric trim on a rod. If your craft involves ribbon, fabric trim or something similar, this simple storage solution helps you avoid knotted messes. A dowel rod that's slotted into a base is all it takes.
Keep rolls of paper in a basket. Whether it's gift wrap or large sheets of decorative paper, storing rolls of paper in a basket allows for quick access and also keeps them from getting smashed. I especially like this option for its aesthetic value.
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| Keep small items in drawers. Storing things like pencils, markers, ink pads or thread in large bins might seem like overkill and will also waste a lot of space. Try using small drawers to keep these items close at hand. |
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Create a gallery wall. Designating a specific wall to hang your finished pieces makes for the ideal storage solution. Visitors will enjoy seeing what you've made, and it's a nice way to get feedback without feeling like you're playing show and tell.
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| Add bold drapery. If you lean toward spaces painted in neutral hues, this graphic drapery adds just the right amount of punch to a room used for creative purposes. |
Go with a fun color. If you are hesitant to use bright or bold colors in your home, a studio might be a good place to start. I've found that even though I can't handle bright colors in the rest of my home, it's a different story in my studio.
More:
How to Turn Your Closet Into an Office
A Room of Your Own
Browse:
Find worktables and desks in the Products section
More:
How to Turn Your Closet Into an Office
A Room of Your Own
Browse:
Find worktables and desks in the Products section
Ideabook updated on Oct. 1, 2011.
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Just a few months ago I moved my interior design studio out of my home and into a shared space with some other designers & architects. I am blessed with a fabulous arched window to gaze out of and I did put one of my own works of art right in front of my desk because all of the colors inspire me. As for storage -- let's just say that Ikea and Target are making a bundle off of us! But it's a big converted loft style space so it works.
But my art studio is another story. I work with very large art and super messy mediums and power tools get into the picture too. It's a pretty industrial space with concrete floors and tarps over things to protect them from flying paint and flying metal shavings. Although it will never be as pretty as any of these lovely spaces you've shown us, I can certainly attest to the necessity of having storage for everything and having excellent lighting. And even in my not-so-pretty art studio I do have an inspiration wall. It definitely helps keep the creative juices flowing.
http://brightboldbeautiful.blogspot.com/2010/04/art-studio-home-office.html