Planning Your Studio Space

Designing the look and flow of your studio can be a frustrating process. However, with a bit of knowledge and a dash of creativity, any space can be transformed into a functional and beautiful creative workspace. There are so many things on the list to consider including; laying out the room, selecting your furniture, organizing all those little bitty supplies that you just might need, and most importantly creating a space that inspires you to create.

You may have the challenge of working with little to no space or perhaps you are fortunate to have an entire room dedicated to sewing or craft; however, many of the same suggestions and rules will apply in both cases. Regardless of your available spaces, developing a basic floor plan can be invaluable. It will allow you to outline the dimensions of your room and identify the best possible layout to meet the needs of your workflow. At Crafted Spaces, we found it helpful to separate the room into sections based on specific task or functions.

When it came time to select our main worktable, the final choice resulted in an Ikea piece, which we felt met most of our needs.

The Ikea STENSTORP kitchen island has a great work surface, built-in storage space, and a sturdy construction. The height, at just less than 36" is also great for cutting and preparing projects. We also needed something that was not going to consume the small space we have to work with.

Tips for getting started with your studio space:

1. Develop a floor plan
2. Collect design and/or decorating ideas from magazines, online and via other sources
3. Carefully select the colour(s) you are going to use, focusing on colour(s) that energize you and stimulates your creativity
4. Select proper lighting for the task at hand
5. Identify what type of storage and furnishings will work best for your type of craft
6. Select a main workstation or table with a surface area that will best accommodate your projects and at a height that will not negatively impact your body
7. Where possible select furnishings that have a solid construction and some available storage
8. Be aware of the effects of direct sunlight on the materials you are working with
9. Close your eyes and envision the type of space you need to enhance your creativity and productivity
10. Have fun with the process

Suggested Reading:

Organizing Your Craft Space by Jo Packham