5 tips to make your artist studio more productive

5 tips to make your artist studio more productive

Having a home studio provides flexibility like no other place. But, to get the most out of it, you need to make wise decisions with the resources you have. And, no matter how much space you have, there are always small things that you can do to make your artist studio more productive. So, here are some valuable tips to help you make the most of your space and get more done.

Make your workspace the focus

One of the first things you must do is make your workspace as clear as possible. This is the focus of your studio: whether it’s an easel, pottery wheel, kiln or drawing board, keeping this area your focus will ensure you set to work quickly.

For best working conditions, keep this area clear. Each night, after you finish working for the day, clear up what you can. This way, you’ll enter into a clean studio each day, fresh for new ideas.

Stand up your desk

Many people who work in an office use a standing desk. Standing desks have been shown to have many physical benefits like decreased risk of obesity and diabetes and improved mental clarity and mood. But there’s another benefit to getting off your butt – standing up increases the blood flow to your legs, which will help you focus better when you sit back down.

Using a standing desk can make you feel more proactive and increase your ability to work.

Have spaces to think

Thinking over your work is an essential part of any art process. Building space into your studio specifically for thinking, brainstorming, and planning will help you to develop projects better. Get a comfy chair (some feel good massage chairs if you really want to relax your brain!) and leave some paper and pens around in case you need to write anything down.

Add lighting to highlight your workspace

Light is essential to all artwork. Getting bright lights to ensure you can see your work at all times is key. Think about where is best to place your lighting. Consider where shadows will fall: where would benefit from brightness, and where would benefit from darkness.

Natural light inspires productivity, so if you can access a big window, place your workspace near it.

Utilise storage and have an organisational system

As with any space, it’s important to utilise storage and an organisational system. You have the opportunity to be creative and use the area in various ways. But if you don’t have a plan beforehand, you may end up with chaos.

One way to create storage is by installing shelves on the walls. This allows you to make use of the vertical space, which is often overlooked but can be utilised in many ways. This will help de-clutter your floor space and allow for more room to work. If you have lots of supplies, this is a cost-effective way to minimise clutter and maximise your workspace.

Another tip is having an organisational system that works for you, your specific needs and your level of efficiency. This can be anything from how you organise your desk or how you store materials for projects at hand.

Using bins can help keep things more organised and help you quickly find what you are looking for. You might want to use different methods depending on the type of project or client you are working with and what stage it is in (i.e., idea stage versus final product).

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Get their look: Cynefin frau haus

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Julie (@cynefin_anglesey)

 

Cynefin (pronounced cuh-neh-vin) is a Welsh word with no exact translation to English. According to Love Lost Words, it means:

It’s an inherent feeling in your soul – a poetic pull to the place you feel bonded to. It describes the interconnectedness of your place of birth and upbringing; of the environment in which you live and feel comfortable in. It’s home.

Frau haus is German and translates as ‘woman house’. The multilingual name given to this space is just perfect. It means so much more than simply calling it a garden room, studio or ‘she-shed’.

Julie, the owner lives in Anglesey (Ynys Môn, in Welsh) She has installed is a cosy log burner, a daybed with a collection of cushions for relaxing and taking in the wonderful views. Her talented husband has created a raised deck outside to enjoy sitting with a cup of tea (or glass of wine) on sunny days. It’s full of wall art, books, plants and flowers and other things that make a room cosy and unique.

Julie, herself, describes it thus:

The Haus is 4×4 meters and has an additional overhang at the back for wood storage and also the rainwater collectors and watering system for the living roof. It’s positioned to take in views we don’t get from the house. If you scroll along the photos, you can see one of the beautiful Anglesey sunsets reflected in the windows.

Check out the rest of her Instagram squares to see more views of Cynefin Frau Haus and the rest of Julie’s wonderful home and garden.

Get their look

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Knot cushion
Knot cushion
Bee cushion
Bee cushion
Cavallini dandelion poster
Cavallini dandelion poster
Ercol daybed
Ercol daybed
Insulated office
Insulated office
LOHALS rug
LOHALS rug
John Lewis jute pouffe
John Lewis jute pouffe
Knot cushion
Knot cushion
Bee cushion
Bee cushion
Cavallini dandelion poster
Cavallini dandelion poster
Ercol daybed
Ercol daybed
Insulated office
Insulated office
LOHALS rug
LOHALS rug
John Lewis jute pouffe
John Lewis jute pouffe

Get their look: Split-level studio

Split-level studiocredit

This split-level studio is located in a converted mill on the Saltsjökvarn quayside in the south eastern end of Stockholm.

The layout has been designed to make best use of the stunning view across the water, high ceiling and the limited footprint of the space.

The bedroom, on the bottom of 3 levels, is a minimalist white box where a pair of floor to ceiling curtains can be drawn to provide privacy from the adjoining kitchen area and waterfront beyond.

Level two is the largest space; a monochrome lounge area simply furnished and tonal artworks adorning the brilliant white painted walls. This is also where the dining area sits – the spot with the best dual aspect views of the wharf and town on the other side.

The top tier is a small home office area, simply furnished with a black desk and chair and a bird’s eye view of the other rooms below.

To get a better idea of the apartment and its arrangement, there are lots of other photographs taken from other angles.

Get their look

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Grey satin bedspread
Grey satin bedspread
YPPERLIG LED floor lamp
YPPERLIG LED floor lamp
Ellos George Høyt coffee table
Ellos George Høyt coffee table
Thonet 209 Bentwood armchair
Thonet 209 Bentwood armchair
Söderhamn sofa
Söderhamn sofa
Grey satin bedspread
Grey satin bedspread
YPPERLIG LED floor lamp
YPPERLIG LED floor lamp
Ellos George Høyt coffee table
Ellos George Høyt coffee table
Thonet 209 Bentwood armchair
Thonet 209 Bentwood armchair
Söderhamn sofa
Söderhamn sofa
Grey satin bedspread
Grey satin bedspread
YPPERLIG LED floor lamp
YPPERLIG LED floor lamp
Ellos George Høyt coffee table
Ellos George Høyt coffee table
Thonet 209 Bentwood armchair
Thonet 209 Bentwood armchair
Söderhamn sofa
Söderhamn sofa

Reasons for investing in a garden studio or office

Reasons for investing in a garden studio or office | H is for Home

If you were one of those people who made a New Year’s resolution to save money and start doing beneficial things for both yourself and your family members, keep reading. One of the best resolutions to make is to invest in a garden studio, hobby room, workshop or office this year. Let’s outline a few reasons why:

Garden office

  1. If you wanted an improved work-life balance, a garden office can provide you with that. Think about all the time you spend commuting to your place of work; that time could be better spent pursuing your hobbies and engaging with friends and family. The result of a better work-life balance is a calmer, more satisfied you, who no longer needs to feel stressed about missing out on key life events.
  1. A home office can obviously have some benefits, but a garden office is much better. Shared space often means more noise, clutter and disorganisation. By creating a dedicated, segregated workspace in an outside garden shed, you have full responsibility over keeping the space tidy and ensuring you are productive during work hours. The same applies to hobby and craft projects: a garden cabin keeps everything separate and the result is less clutter, increased efficiency and improved organisation.

Wooden garden room

  1. It’s true that everything said could apply in reverse. Your art canvas material getting mixed in with household laundry helps no one and can make you and your family feel like there’s no escape from work. Separation is arguably essential for keeping yourself, as well as your entire household, sane. Result: the workday starts and ends at specified times, allowing you to feel in control of life and your family the chance to spend some time with you each day.
  1. New Year = New, healthy you, right? Timber-framed buildings have been shown to be better for the mind, spirit and body than conventional brick, steel and plasterboard buildings. Air-conditioned offices can actually make people ill. A timber build ensures that the humidity and temperature levels remain somewhat constant and they are less susceptible to dust and mould growth. Timber surroundings can also defuse stress levels. Result: While we can’t guarantee a stress-free year, a garden cabin can certainly make it easier to cope with your everyday life.

Una Cavanagh sitting on the step of her garden studio

  1. The cost of garden buildings is surprisingly affordable and budget buildings are very low cost. You can buy small summer houses and garden offices for very reasonable prices. Even larger, grander design structures are cheaper than the cost of comparable home extensions and much easier to erect. Result: A garden office can be designed, delivered, erected and decorated in a shorter space of time than what it takes for the average building extension planning application to be processed. What’s more, it will cost a lot less. Take a look at the 4 best wooden garden studios for sale.
  1. Now we’re talking about money; if you’re a sole trader, the owner of a small business or self-employed, compare the installation and on-going running costs of a backyard office to the cost of renting an equivalent sized office in the city. It’s hard to secure desk space in business incubators at anything less than £300 per month, per desk. Result: In less than 10 months, a luxurious garden office fitted out with two desks could pay for itself.
    Una Cavanagh, owner of the garden studio featured above, runs a counselling business from a back garden office shed.

Garden pod

  1. Talking about more cost reduction benefits, if you’re currently a homeworker and keep the central heating system on all day, heating a small space instead could save you a small fortune on your annual energy bills. Many garden cabins on the market are double-glazed with extra insulation as an option. Result: your household heating bills go down.
  1. A garden structure, such as a timber cabin, has the advantage of being a multi-use covered space. As well as being a garden office, the space can double-up as a leisure room or workshop. If you design a garden cabin that has multiple rooms, you increase the functionality from the get go. How about a shed, garage, workshop, gym, office, summerhouse, etc. Result: Prioritise your functions based on a schedule or combine them all into a multi-roomed garden timber building.

Modern garden room

  1. Are you still worried about cost-effectiveness? Did you know that if you have a VAT registered business, you can claim back any VAT charged on installation costs and many interior fittings within your garden office? Office premises rarely qualify for corporation tax deductions, but some exceptions include the installation of utilities, so make sure you consult with an accountant. It might transpire that it would be best for your household to bill your business for renting the garden room space on a monthly basis. Result: With the right accounting advice, you’re guaranteed to be able to offset the costs of installing and maintaining a garden office in some way.
  1. Let’s return to the beginning. Do you remember your New Year’s resolutions in which you committed to doing beneficial things for yourself? Saving time, saving money and achieving a healthy, separated work-life balance are all beneficial to your life. Creating your own working space can be incredibility liberating. Your garden office belongs to you. You can design it to be how you like it. It encompasses the best of the natural outdoors with indoor comforts. A timber office can also be aesthetically beautiful and make you feel happy when viewing it. Think about all that on top of the money savings!

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