Need some inspiration for an art studio set up? or maybe you’re just looking to jazz up your creative spaces. Setting up an art studio doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive—it just has to work for you. In this post, I’m sharing how I’ve built a calm, creative space in my home for painting, learning, and dreaming. As a self-taught Australian artist, my art studio set-up is full of practical, affordable tools that support creating my handmade watercolour paintings, including my go-to vegan watercolour brushes, organisational nik naks, and a few cosy essentials. Whether you’re just starting out or refreshing your space, this post is full of ideas for watercolour artists, art lovers, and anyone looking to create a peaceful place to make.
Here’s what we’ll cover in this article…
1. a space to create
2. a comfy seat
3. light
4. storage & organisation
5. artist aids
6. easels & drawing boards
7. laptop & monitor mounts (if your art space co-exists with your work/study/gaming space)
8. books
9. art supplies
10. whatever else makes for a space YOU want to be in
This list is by no means an absolute- it is simply a collection of things which I found to seriously level up my creativity, & productivity.
If you hover over a photo that feels like a button, it’s because, it is! Click on my studio photos to see the product (or at least, a very similar product) on amazon so you can get started setting up your home art studio!
First & foremost of course you need dedicated space!- to draw, paint, mould, sculpt, embroide, crochet, sew… whatever it is that you do!
Your art ‘space’ could be a basket under the coffee table, the corner of your living room, an entire room in your house or maybe an entire room somewhere else.
Wherever it may be, however small… a space dedicated to creativity is so essential for a long-term commitment to painting. a space that’s ready to go when an urge for creativity strikes- the less hurdles between you & your creative practice, the better.
This is my little studio space.
It’s nothing like the dream studios I’ve collected along my pintrest scrolls- tall ceilings with windows to the trees…- honestly, sometimes my social media comparisons can rob me of gratitude for the space that I have- it’s small & simple but it’s mine & I love being in it.
I don’t own my house & so can’t paint the walls or build in shelving as i’d love to. But with the right nik naks & of course lots of greenery, you’ll be surprised how you can transform a bland empty white box.
If an entire room or desk space isn’t a possibility for you right now- say you’re setting up a creative space in the house every inspiration strikes -it’s nice to organise all your artsy gear in a cart, basket, bag, whatever you like!
The easier it is to set up your art space, the better! when you’re trying to push through artist block or maybe just struggling to find motivation to create, it’s best to have as few barriers as possible.
Imagine you’re sat doom scrolling & entertain the thought doing something more creative. You’re much more likely to follow through with action if everything is organised, easy to set-up & ready to go.
Isn’t it a given that every artist has a 3-tier metal cart like this? you can get it right here.
This is the perfect solution for you if can’t set-up a permanent artsy space right now. And they’re great for any artist simply wanting some extra storage space.
Pull her up to any table whenever you’re ready to create & have all your art supplies within arms reach. Storing your supplies in a basket, box or bag can also work nicely.
remember, the less barriers to create, the better!
Something comfy for your touche is a must!
Contrary to how we live a lot of the time now days, our bodies are not meant to be sedentary. If you’re sitting for long periods I recommend investing in an ergonomic chair – something that is designed to correct posture & be kind to your back & neck.
Don’t forget to take regular breaks, stand, stretch, dance, make a tea – when you really get into a painting it’s easy to lose hours… if i’m intending a good flow state for a long painting session I sometimes even put a timer on my phone so not to stay sitting for too long.
Nothing beats natural light!
So if you’re lucky enough to have an artsy space near a big window then use it to your advantage!
As much as it’s nice to not face a wall, sometimes it’s not always practical to have your desk facing directly out the window (for example the sun sets directly into my studio window & is quite overbearing, especially in summer). Putting my desk against the wall perpendicular to the window gives me good natural light & stops me from getting blasted by australian sunsets- they do look lovely though.
Natural light isn’t always enough for creating. or perhaps finding space near a window is impossible. you might want to get yourself a little desk lamp.
& if you’re anything like me, most of your artist hours are without sunlight. I wish I could say painting was my full-time “job” but alas, I cannot. By the time I’ve fulfilled what the day needs of me & I’m ready to paint it’s those perfect dusk hours- usually dragged into a much-too-late bedtime.
This is my studio lamp- & no you definitely do not need anything like this to just start painting! 🙅🏽♀️ any little desk lamp will do!
I have this video light so I am able to shoot great content for you guys to watch on social media ☺️ I paid for this set-up from NEEWER full price with my my own money & I would 100% buy it again. It has been an absolute game changer for my painting videos.
To be honest, most time I spend in my studio i’m not actually painting. & a lot of artists experience this, especially those who are trying to monetise their work.
If I’m not painting I certainly do not want a big bright light on – I am a warm-&-dim-lights-only girly through & through.
i like setting the mood by setting the space, & for me that means the right light – always warm, always dim & stained glass lamps are the dream. It really does set a calm space.
note- candles live in holders or glass cases always – i am clumsy & my work space can get busy.
A messy space is a messy mind – & a decluttered mind is so necessary to get into a good creative flow.
The key to keeping an organised art studio is having a place for everything. You can only put things away if you have somewhere to put them… I’m a tidy-as-i-go girly but i know that doesn’t work for everyone! If you are someone who ends up in a mess after creating, you can make you tidy-ups easier by knowing exactly where everything lives. Less cognitive resources & all that…plus, who doesn’t love cute baskets & organisation nik naks ♡
It doesn’t really matter which mediums you prefer or which craft you spend most of your time doing- drawers like this are always super useful, no matter what kind of artist in every artist’s studio.
Having a place for everything let’s you keep your studio space decluttered & ready for all your creativity.
This is my little meedan artist box & i lovveee it. I like putting all my watercolour paint tubes in there so i can easily group them by hues. & aren’t the little gold handles so cute ♡
Return of the 3-tier artist trolley– it feels like an artist-must.
Plus the more little storage nooks you have around, the better! Things can get messy in an art studio so it’s best to make things easy for yourself by having a place for everything. You can only put things away if you have somewhere to put them…
Okay this doesn’t seem like it would be a big deal but honestly this glass desktop shelf has been a game changer for my painting space.
It’s so much easier to create once you de-clutter your space & find a set-up that works for you.
I especially love how I can just slide a painting i’m working on underneath & free up heaps of space for working on other projects or my website.
being able to transform my workspace like this is super handy, & perfect if you have a small desk.
Can you really have too many baskets? well okay probably- but it is handy to have a few. It does make tidying up so easy – & i am a tidy-up-as-i-go-every-step-i-go girl – I love being able to just throw things in whichever box, basket or trinket they belong.
& here’s more shelves ♡ more shelves means more surfaces, means more room to organise all your artsy stuff.
I love these little two tier shelves from amazon – so cheap & sturdy & perfect for all my ceramic palettes.
Here’s where all the random bits and bobs live…
okay so, none of these are essential to just start painting… but seriously they are the things in my studio that make life so much easier. If you’re serious about practicing art they might be worth the investment.
my favourites:
My personal favourite is this ‘leaning bridge‘ & friends, it is the bees knees.
I looks like a bit of plastic because that’s exactly what it is but seriously this has changed my painting game!
If your hands shake a lot this is perfect for you! So handy to help keep those final details nice & steady. & ensures you don’t smudge the rest of your painting.
No products found.
I don’t think I could go back to a life without this tube squeezer thingy.
Paint is expensive! you don’t want any of it to go to waste. This thing pays for itself after squeezing the drabs out one of these tiny watercolour tubes.
& you can use this for everything- hand cream, hair cream, toothpaste, tomato paste – pretty much any type of cream & any type of paste…
A magnifying glass can always come in handy, especially for those final details.
I am constantly using my magnifying glass, even though I see perfectly with my glasses. Being able to magnify my work helps me reduce eye strain & bad posture. Super handy especially for the final details of a painting.
This colour wheel has been my colour theory bible- it’ the perfect aid to start your journey learning colour theory. I have painted my own wheel (& i recommend you do the same!), but I love all the information packed on this one.
If I could go back I wouldn’t wait as long to prioritise learning colour theory – once you master colour theory you WILL take you artistic skills to the next level – I guarantee it!
If you’re into journalling it can be really helpful to keep an art journal.
A little book with reference to all the pigments in your studio, your favourite palettes & colour mixes, colour theory aids, technique swatches, piece planners, collection planners & reflection pages.
You can find these artist journal templates on my website –
When I decided to take painting seriously my goodness did I binge watch easel-reviews. I don’t know why I found easel-related decisions so hard but I just did!
Some things you should consider before investing in an easel-
☼ what size your works will be
☼ whether you sit at a table or stand whilst painting
☼ whether you paint on a flat surface or at an upright angle
☼ whether you need an easel for your studio or on-the-go
☼ your budget
I use the work ‘invest’ because when it comes to art supplies this is exactly what I do. sure you can definitely find a super cheap easel at kmart or target- but let’s be honest, a lot of the time you really do get what you pay for. An easel is something I want to last, be sturdy & to be honest, yah, look cute as well.
Easels are always useful to have in an art studio. They let you-
☼ paint ergonomically as possible
☼ stare at your work for hours on end (a frequent necessity)
☼ display your work
This is my table-top easel. I use it to paint the final details of my artworks. & when I don’t need it, it sits up onto of my shelves holding either a recently finished piece or blank cotton waiting for inspiration.
I also have this table-top easel– it serves much of the same purpose as the other so I surely don’t need both but here we are. I prefer this one for sketching & working on paper that isn’t yet taped to one of my boards.
This is my standing studio easel – I do LOVE it but I also regret not spending the extra money to get a convertible one that lays flat.
Easels can also be so decorative & I love how this one looks in the corner of my little home studio.
I alway use a studio easel for the final stages of a piece- that way I can keep taking a step back to see which areas need more detail. I also often use this easel to stare at a blank page when I’m still not too sure how I want it to be..
okay I don’t know about you but I am constantly referencing books when I’m drawing or painting. I have too many favourites to list in this article but you can see all the ones I use here.
Well, obviously you need paints, brushes, paper, and a few other bits and bobs.
As I’ve mentioned, good art supplies are worth the investment. Especially when it comes to watercolour.
I use winsor & newton professional watercolour paints & arches cold-pressed 100% cotton watercolour paper.
my favourite watercolour paints….
& my favourite watercolour paper….
I can’t give you any suggestions for this because i’m talking about all those personal touches.
-your favourite wall art, ornaments, vibes- whatever it is you need to get that cozy feeling in your studio space. for me that’s ample plants, neutrals, gallery walls & warm light.
I’d love to know what it is that makes your studio a space you never want to leave. I know i could stay in mine all day – some days i literally do.
I’d love to hear from you 🫶🏽 Send me a message on social media and let me know what your studio space essentials are! 👩🏽🎨🌻✨🤍
No products found.
Although I am beyond grateful for my little home art studio, I still find myself longing for the dream spaces I have collected on Pintrest – I’ll just drop some of my studio-space-envy right here… – high ceilings, tall windows & accented walls – that’d be the dream.
It’s easy to get caught up in comparison…- the ultimate thief of joy. Setting up your studio space should be fun, intuitive & specialised to your specific needs. Academic work does tell us that certain conditions can foster concentration, calm & creativity – for example natural & warm light, uncluttered spaces & nature. But at the end of the day, all that matters is that you create a space that you want to create in ♡
☼ Lofaro, C. (2016). The Impact of Studio Space on Creativity and its Implications for Artistic Practice. School of Education. https://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/16465/7/Thesis_CPL_Submission_Merged%20%283%29.pdf
☼ Chappe, A. (2021). The Effect of Architecture & Design on Mental Health & Implications for Open Art Studios. Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 511. https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1515&context=expressive_theses
☼ Baracho, A. &Mota, S. (2022). Artists & Their Stiods: the complexities of artists’ studio selection in creative quarters in London & Southampton. University of Southampton. https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/472124/1/Ana_Silveira_MPhil_thesis_final_copy_unsigned.pdf
☼ what do I need for an art studio set up?
☼ how do i set up an art studio at home?
☼ what are some artist must haves for setting up a studio?
☼ what do I need to set up at art studio at home?
☼ what are some tips for beginner artists setting up an art studio?
☼ what are some tips for beginner painters setting up an art studio?
☼ how do i start painting with watercolour?
☼ what do I need for an art studio?
☼ which easel is best for my studio?
☼ how do I know which easel is best for me to buy?
☼ what do I need to organise my art studio?
☼ how do I organise my art studio?
☼ what is a good gift for an artist?
know someone who might enjoy this article?
♡ share the artsy love right here ♡
a space for artists & art collectors ♡
hi, i’m sarah, an australian artist head-over-heels for watercolour & creative practice- it truely is good for your soul.
& this ↑, is my girl alys.
i am completely self-taught in all the mediums i use & i am here to share everything i know with you!
i write about all things creativity, watercolour, gouache, hand-made ceramics, collecting art, & my own artistic process. I have degrees in human psychology & veterinary medicine- so you might find some sporadic related facts in my writing.
sign up for artsy news, exclusive discounts & member-only offers ♡
disc.- the above article may contain affiliate links. that means that at no extra cost to you, I may receive a small commission from the purchases made through these links. I only recommend products I have bought myself, use, and love!
get 30% off your next print order!
no spam, i promise- just exclusive discounts, member-only commission openings & some other artsy bits.
