How to Set up a Home Art Studio for Cheap

The recent pandemic has pushed people to spend most of their time at home, even during weekends! People have turned to indoor hobbies, like arts and crafts, to replace outdoor activities. While a pencil and paper are really all you need to make a masterpiece, it’s also great to have a dedicated studio in your Amaia Series Nuvali home. Here are a few of its benefits:

• It’s easier to get in the zone – You can create art anywhere in your home. However, it can get difficult to focus on your work with distractions like the television or family members. Having a studio helps you focus solely on your art without interruptions!

• Worry-free creativity – When you work with particularly runny and sticky materials like paint, ink, and glue, you’re bound to make a mess. You don’t want to spill these on surfaces and things you use for other purposes, like the dinner table or your couch. Having a dedicated art space ensures that you don’t have to worry about stains or spills. 

How to Create Your Art Studio

Now that you know the benefits of having a dedicated space for your art, it’s time to build one in your home. Here’s how to do it on a budget.

• Find a vacant spot – You can convert any space in your home into a studio. Great examples include a guest room, the attic, the basement, or an unused garage. If you have a spare closet, you can turn it into a mini art space by building a desk and inserting a few shelves. Backyard sheds are also great places to build your studio. Just make sure it has windows for proper ventilation.

• Get organized – Any artist, no matter how abstract their ideas, benefit from a bit of organization here and there. Turn the unused jars in your kitchen into holders for your pencils, pens, and brushes. Store your paint tubes and jars in old plastic or cardboard boxes. If you have limited space, use vertical space with a mesh board. These cost around PhP 300, and you can hang art supplies on them. You can even attach plastic planters onto them for even more storage opportunities. 

• Get a suitable surface – The work surface you need depends on the art you make. If you make sculptures, a simple desk will do. However, if you spend long periods drawing or painting, you may need a drafting table or easel to avoid straining your back. Fortunately, you don’t need to buy your tables brand new. You can find quality used equipment in surplus shops, auction houses, or even social media marketplaces. Just make sure to inspect the product for damages before buying it. 

• Light it up – Proper lighting is essential for any creative task. You want to see each line and color in full detail. Plus, working with poor lighting can cause health issues like eye strain and headaches. Fortunately, good lighting is often free. Just open your curtains and blinds and let in natural light. Use a desk lamp if you work better at night or if your studio is located in a space without windows. You can easily find a good desk lamp under PhP 500 brand new. You shouldn’t shy away from buying second-hand, too. You might get one that’s in good working condition for half the price in surplus warehouses or marketplace listings online. 

Remember that you shouldn’t focus on features and size for your studio. You should customize into a space that lets your creative spirit run wild. Use these tips to make your extra room, garage, or backyard shed into your own artistic haven.