5 Tips to Create The Perfect Creative Space at Home

For years, my husband and I shared a 600-square-foot apartment on a busy street in San Francisco. We got as much use out of that space as possible- making each room as multi-functional as we could. When the pandemic struck, I pivoted to working mainly from home, spending my days hunched over my desk tucked in the corner of our living room. As each workday ended, I would squirrel away all my art supplies and work materials, transforming the tiny room back into a chill area for us to relax. What an absolute chore! 

I discovered I was pregnant in June of 2020, which sparked a significant change in our lives. Gone were the days that we could exist in a tiny space together; it was time to upgrade. We began looking for apartments in our neighborhood that met a few specific requirements: like having a dishwasher, a laundry room, a space for a nursery, and a place for me to work from home. I didn’t need a conventional office, just a place where I could create separation between my home and work life.  

We found a great apartment that checked all our boxes. It had a small utility room off the kitchen that would make the perfect office/studio space. All it required was a little elbow grease.  

I learned a lot while creating my dream studio, and I feel confident that anyone could carve out room to be creative in whatever area they have. 

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1. Create a Separate Space

The room that became my studio didn’t have a door. After living with an office in the corner of my living room, it was essential to have a workspace where I could close the door at the end of the day. Creating a physical separation helps to maintain a balance between work and leisure time. 

Our hunt for a door lead my husband and me to Building Resources, a reuse center in San Francisco. Most cities have reuse centers where people can buy second-hand building supplies. There, you can find unique pieces and give functional materials a new life, redirecting them from the landfill.

I realize I am lucky to live with a handyperson. If I were to do this project again without him, I would purchase a new door and paint it yellow or simply hang curtains. 

2. Have a Place For Everything

I can easily get overwhelmed by clutter when working in a small studio. Using a pegboard to organize my tools and art supplies has been a game-changer. I never need to wonder where my thread or paintbrushes are; they are always in the same place on the board. It also makes cleaning up a breeze. I just put my tools back in their designated spots.

3. Hide Your Messes

I dabble in just about every craft imaginable, from sewing to block-printing and painting. All these crafts have specific supplies, and they can get quite messy. So when designing my studio, I made sure to include cabinets with doors. Inside the cabinets are small bins labeled with what’s inside. I love my DYMO label maker! I also store folded fabric, my sewing machines, and other larger tools inside the cabinets.

4. A Few of My Favorite Things

Sprinkle a few things that inspire you around your space. For example, I store my collection of craft books in my studio, and I page through them when I need a little inspiration or have questions about a technique.

5. A Blank Slate

While it is crucial to make your studio as comfortable as possible, it’s also essential to make it a place to work. I make sure to keep one wall blank so I can hang up in-progress art pieces.

If you don’t have room to keep a wall blank, consider installing a magnetic whiteboard. You could hang up notes or drawings on the board and jot down new ideas.  

I love my new studio and feel so happy and productive when I enter my space. Do you have any tips for carving out a creative space in your home? Leave a comment below!