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  • Art Studio - How to Create a Designated Space for Art in Your Home
Art Studio - How to Create a Designated Space for Art in Your Home
Contributor
Written by
Carol Combs
December 2016
Blogging
Contributor
Written by
Carol Combs
December 2016
Blogging

Art is the only way to run away without leaving home. These are words spoken by Twyla Tharp, and they might remind some of the benefits of having an art studio in the home--a place where you can escape from your domestic setting, without truly leaving it. Before you begin planning a designated space for an art studio, you should first consider how it will be used, and who will use it. Will it be your private sanctuary with a “do not disturb” sign warning another family to stay away while you paint, or will you be sharing the space with your partner while collaborating? Will it solely be a space for your children to create art, or will you use the studio to paint while the kids occupy one corner working on their masterpieces? 

 Choosing a Space for Your At-Home Art Studio

There are two primary ways people use space to create an art studio: they designate an entire room, or they take an existing room and turn half of it into a space for creating art. If you are a serious artist who produces a significant volume of art with the intention to show and sell your pieces to collectors, you likely have a lot of supplies and therefore require a larger space, which is where a designated room would be ideal. Also, if you wish to create an arts and crafts room for your kids, having a special room of its own will separate your children from the distractions associated with the rest of the home, and help them stay focused and creative. If, however, you paint for a hobby and want a space but you don’t have a lot of supplies, portioning off a section of a room would suffice.

 Using Half a Room for Your Art Studio

If you plan on transforming that alcove you’ve been using as a reading nook into something else, or you finally put your grandmother’s ugly china cabinet in storage and have more free space, you could form that art space you’ve always wanted. First, it is important you create a layer of separation from your little art studio and the rest of your living area. One of the most popular and cost-effective ways of doing this is to invest in interior glass sliding doors and partition walls because they will allow an abundance of natural light, yet frosted glass will give you privacy and truly define the space as being removed from the rest of the main living area. Interior sliding doors for homes have a variety of glass tints, types, and colors. They also have various frame designs, track systems, and hardware to compliment your home’s aesthetics. Once space is framed out and the glass walls are installed, add a simple shelving unit with some bins to house your brushes and paints, and let your easel and current canvas you are working on taking center stage. A little desk for doing concept and drafting would be ideal, and a few candles and a low-profile speaker system for your iPod will create a relaxing ambiance.

 Designating a Room for Your Art Studio

You probably have lots of supplies and if you require an entire room, so flow and use of that space will be paramount to its functionality. Also, you will want to have lots of natural light. If the room you are using exits onto a patio, consider putting in French doors to allow for loads of light. Not only will this improve the lighting quality of your space, but French doors are popular and will likely add a tad of value to your home’s resale estimate. Some overhead lighting designed to give equal distribution would be ideal but avoid fluorescent lights. Also, having some lamps with Edison bulbs will give softer light in the event you create art designed to be viewed in multiple lighting conditions, and these bulbs have that trendy industrial look. 

If the room has a closet, you can convert it into a space for hanging black canvases or completed art. There are a number of companies out there that offer custom storage solutions, and a hanging file system in a close would be ideal for organizing your art and freeing up more floor space.

Having a mobile art caddy in one corner storing supplies will keep things in their place, and offer easy access for when you are working on large pieces such as a triptych in which case the caddy can be moved from one panel to the other.

 Art Space for Kids

If the room is going to be used by the family with an emphasis on your children, the same rules apply for creating a space filled with lots of natural lighting. Since children are incredibly stimulated by their surroundings in learning or creative environment, use lots of bright, fun colors to decorate the room but make sure they compliment the sunlight. In other words, avoid dark colors. To truly put your kids at the heart of the room, place a long table in the room’s center where they can paint, draw, and create crafts. A durable, 12-foot industrial style wood table with storage drawers underneath would be a great option. Just make sure the wood is treated so in the event paint spills on it, the clean-up will be easier.

You could also designate corners or wall space in the room for each child to display his art. This will give your kids a sense of accomplishment, ownership, and pride while encouraging them to continue being creative. 

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