I primarily work from my kitchen table, which serves as both my creative space and my filming area for online classes. Since I have limited space, I’ve developed some strategies that help me stay organised and productive. Today, I’m sharing my top five tips for making the most of a small studio space.
1. Separate Your Work Area from Your Storage Area
One of the best things I’ve done is to divide my workspace from my storage space. While I create and film in the kitchen, I have a desk upstairs for admin and video editing, and I store most of my art supplies in a shed. I think of the shed as my personal “art shop”—whenever I need something, I grab it from there instead of keeping everything cluttered in my main work area. This system frees up space and helps me stay focused on creating.
2. Limit Your Art Materials
When working in a small space, it’s essential to be selective about the materials you keep within arm’s reach. Rather than having every art supply out all the time, I focus on what I use daily—sketchbooks, collage papers, and mark-making tools. Most of my acrylic paints are stored in the shed since I don’t need all of them at once. By limiting your materials, you simplify your creative process and reduce the overwhelm of decision-making.
3. Create Personalized Storage Solutions
Effective storage is key to keeping a small space functional! Since I use a lot of collage papers, I’ve organized them using trays in a Kallax unit from IKEA. I installed wooden strips on the sides of the openings so the trays can slide in and out easily. Each tray holds a different category—warm colors, cool colors, neutrals, and photos—making it easy to find what I need. Whether you work with paints, crayons, or another medium, think about how best to organize your materials by color, type, or frequency of use. Figuring out a system that works for you is a game changer!
4. Utilize Additional Work Surfaces
Limited table space can be a challenge, especially when drying artwork or working on multiple projects. I use wooden boards or pieces of mount board as extra work surfaces. When I finish a session, I can lift the entire board—complete with drying artwork—and move it elsewhere. This method works great for Gelli printing, as I can print on my plate at the table, then relocate the drying prints to another spot, freeing up my workspace.
5. Tidy Up Regularly
When working in a small space, tidying up isn’t optional—it’s necessary! I’m not naturally a tidy person, but I’ve found that doing a little cleanup at the end of each session keeps things manageable. Since we eat at the kitchen table every night, I have to clear away my art supplies daily. This routine prevents clutter from building up and ensures I can start fresh each time I sit down to create.
I hope these tips help you make the most of your small studio space!
If you’re struggling with your setup, drop a comment below, and let’s brainstorm some solutions together. Of course, I’d love a bigger studio one day, but for now, I’m making it work—and you can too!
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