How to Set Up a Creative Space

Above images from https://tinyurl.com/y8a8qev2

You can create anywhere. Art doesn't have to be made in a posh studio or hip airy loft. Creating can happen on a sidewalk, in your living room, at a coffee shop, on the train -- it's more about setting the intention of creating and then doing it than creating the perfect space.

That said, for some people, setting up a creative space is actually an important part of self-expression catalyzing inspiration. Putting effort into the space you create in can help support your creative process and give you a setting that is a creation in itself. A bird could lay eggs in any old spot, but instead they spend time and effort creating a beautiful and safe space for their babies to be born.

​Every bird's nest is different. How will you design yours? 

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Finding your vision

What drew you to set up an area specifically for creating? Whether you are creating a crafting corner or a professional art studio, the best place to start is by identifying the core purpose in your vision. What do you want to use this space for? What is your intention? Maybe your corner is expressly for knitting. Perhaps you like to draw and also are interested in trying new art media. Maybe it's a music and poetry room.

​Or you might have no clue what you want to create, and would like a space to experiment and reacquaint yourself with creating -- that's an intention too. ​

You might discover the more thought and care you put into your space, the more fruitful your creative ventures are likely to be. 

Close your eyes and imagine yourself creating. What colors are around you? Is the space cozy and filled with inspirational objects? Or is it wide open and empty, free of clutter? Are there plants? Candles? Collage boards? What kind of materials to you have around you? 

If you find yourself feeling stuck in the vision process, I would suggest making a Pinterest board or at least googling some images of creative spaces. If you go through and pin enough images, you may start to notice similar themes coming up. "Ah, I guess I like the idea of a white room with lots of plants!" Or, "I love that kind of paper organization!" Or maybe your board is full of brightly colored rooms. Pinterest can also give you a lot of DIY ideas for organization and style.

Ideally you will be able to identify what you want to use your space for, and have a general idea of the kinds of spaces that make you feel inspired.

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Find a Space

If you are setting this up in your house, start by finding the right space. Do you want to create in a space that is separate from other people, where you can really focus on your internal process? Or, would rather be out in the open, where you can create while still in the same room as others. Different things will work for different people. Spend some time thinking about how you best work. 

Your space could be an entire room, a basement, or a corner. I've had creative corners that were as small as an easel and a stool and not much more. How much space you need will depend on what you are planning to create, and what is available to you. Your space could be as simple as a comfy chair, a bowl of yarn, and a side table, or as elaborate as a large studio with walls of materials, an easel, a drawing table, and a meditation space.

What color do you want your space? You could paint the walls to reflect a certain energy you would like to access while creating. Some colors may seem calming to you, while others may be invigorating.

You will want to consider the lighting in the space as well. I personally prefer natural lighting with some soft incandescent accent lights when I am painting. Some people prefer brighter space for creating and may like a room with bright overhead lights. String lights can bring a magical ambiance to a room. 

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Getting Materials

Think about what kinds of objects you will need in your space. If you need a table, think about how big a surface you will need. Will you need a very flat surface to draw on? Some tables have grooves in them, and can get in the way of drawing.

Make a list of essential art materials you will need for your chosen media. ​

If you are new to art-making and want a basic set of art materials to get you started, you might think about getting some of these materials:

• watercolor paint and brushes
• a set of colored pencils
• a set of 12 oil pastels
• a set of 12 chalk pastels
• a package of sculpey
• a few dark ink pens
• graphite drawing pencils
• drawing paper
• watercolor paper
• some magazines (for collage)
• construction paper
• white glue

Of course, if you have the means you can also go to your local art supply store and simply pull different materials that inspire you, and just play. 

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Organization

Once you have your space, and your essential materials, you have to think about how you are going to organize all of them! Refer to your initial vision of your space. Do you want materials to be put away out of sight when you are not using them? Or do you like to have everything at an arm's reach. For me personally, I like to keep all of my materials organized, but also easily accessible. I like to be able to see everything I could possibly work with.  

Open Mind Holistics art therapy studio

Open Mind Holistics art therapy studio

Some people like to organize with open baskets and bins, while others like everything more contained and labeled in closed cabinets and drawers. Play around and see how you like things to be arranged. This arranging in itself is a form of collage!

Images from goo.gl/BupFUY

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Inspiration

Okay, you have your space, your materials, your organization... What will you surround yourself with while you are creating? What inspires you? Think back to your initial vision. What would help make you feel safe, calm, and inspired while you are creating? 

Here are a few ideas to consider adding to your space:

• Plants -- Add something living to your space. Make sure this is something you can commit to taking care of, as there's nothing that kills creativity more than a dead plant. Succulents and other low-commitment plants may be a good option. Even fake plants may work for you!
• Color -- Make your art space into a piece of art! Paint the walls a color that makes you feel inspired. Add a bright rug or pillows. Maybe some red curtains or a brightly colored doorknob. 
• Images -- Add past artworks to your walls, Put up a cork board with different images that inspire you. Tack up pictures of people or places that evoke emotion and make you want to create! 
• Quotes -- Some people are very motivated by quotes and affirmations. Find some that inspire you and consider placing them on walls, on jars, on a table...anywhere in sight where you can notice them and feel inspired.
• Creative Altar -- You may be inclined to contain your inspiration into a creative altar where you can place candles, gems, meaningful items or images, and seasonal/natural items (flowers, leaves, shells etc) and have them all in one place for you to look at and interact with. This can look however you would like! Have fun! You may even decide to make some of your own rituals around art-making... lighting sage or incense, putting on a creative music playlist, setting an intention by your creative altar, etc. 

Open Mind Holistics art therapy studio

Get Creating!

Go do it! There's no time like the present. 

After you have your space set up, If you are having trouble getting started creating, check out the Intentional Creativity Blog Series

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Sometimes fears and intense emotion can come up while you are creating. Find a therapist to help you understand these big emotions. 

Interested in Art Therapy? Contact art therapist Sarah Klein for a complementary 30-minute consultation. 

-Sarah Klein, MA, LPC
Art Therapist and Co-Owner at Open Mind Holistics

​Learn more about Sarah in this blog post, or on her bio page.