Art promotes mental health and wellness, and has been proven to foster adaptive responses to stress. However, it’s not always easy for artists to find their own space to work. Fortunately, creating your own home art studio isn’t as unattainable as it sounds. No matter your budget, it’s fairly easy to set up a studio in almost any space.
Find a suitable space
Privacy is often an important element for creatives, so find your own room to turn into a studio if you can. As long as you have heating and cooling, you may be able to use the garage, basement or attic. Otherwise, a screen, curtain or shelving unit can allow you to carve out your own space in a family room. Any corner in a mostly unused room (like a laundry or guest room) that can fit a desk, chair, and shelving to store art materials could work. Fold-down tables are affordable and can conveniently be hidden away when not in use. You could even clear out a closet and add a small desk, chair and shelving to create a mini art studio. As long as you have space for your art supplies (like paint, paintbrushes, easels, and large canvases) and enough room to spread out and dig into your work, even smaller spaces can function as studios.
Set the right mood
It’s important to decorate your studio in a way that inspires you and sparks your creativity. Use mood boards, plants, and uplifting quotes to create a unique and personalized space. Natural candles can also help create a relaxing atmosphere. Soy wax provides soft, natural lighting without the health dangers associated with paraffin wax. You can also hang your own favorite creations on the walls. As for painting the walls themselves, opt for peaceful colors to help you enter a meditative state as you work. Alternatively, if you prefer being in an energized mood, paint the walls a bright color. You may, however, ultimately prefer plain white walls in your studio, as white is less likely to alter your mood and influence your work.
Consider lighting
Natural light isn’t always the ideal choice for an art studio. It fluctuates in both intensity and position throughout the day, which can negatively impact your work, and you may find your canvases look completely different in another room with different lighting. If your studio does have natural light and you’re in the northern hemisphere, ideally the windows should be north facing to provide the most consistent lighting as the day wears on. If you’re in the southern hemisphere, they should be south facing. Installing artificial light gives you more control over your studio lighting. Ideally, a light panel installed on the ceiling will provide consistent and bright lighting throughout the whole room.
As an artist, having your own designated space to work is essential. With these simple tips, you can create a studio that allows you to express your creativity and produce your best work.
