How to Design a Home With a Built in Art Studio
You can create an art studio in any home by designing space near a large window for adequate natural light. The feel of the out-of-doors coming into the area will inspire any artist. Colors are easier to define for painting or sketching in natural light versus artificial light. When you look for space to create an art studio, you should look for an area near running water. Working with clay and water-based paints will require you have a sink for washing your hands and the art space. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Wood or tile floor area
- Large window
- Shelving materials
- Floor space for easel
- Table for sketching
- Wash-up sink
- Storage for supplies
- Wall space to display art
- Sufficient heating and cooling system
Instructions
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Make the art studio space a top priority. Create living space around it. For example, a section that is six by six near a kitchen will work fine if there are windows in the area. Walls built only halfway up from floor to ceiling can hide the mess, but the artist will still feel connected to the kitchen area. An art studio located too far from bathrooms, running water or people might create an isolated feeling for the artist.
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Open the ceiling if possible. Any roof can be turned into a vaulted ceiling by using angle iron in the rafter areas. Or a typical eight-foot ceiling can be raised about 18 inches into a tray-type ceiling. An art studio should not feel cramped. Ceiling space can make a small space appear visually much larger.
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Create pleasant walls in the art studio. Bright yellow walls or one or two mirrored walls can work well. Good track lighting can provide a nice feeling as well. Most artists need a flat table space to do certain types of projects, and an easel area. Install a table with lots of drawers and storage for keeping paints and chalks out of sight. Make sure the easel area is totally open on all four sides with no traffic flow problem. An artist should be able to walk all around the easel during work time.
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Install a nice wide-plank wood floor in the art studio. Wood warms up the room, while tile gives any area a slightly colder feeling. Most artists like natural materials in their work area. Wood on the floor and some tile or stone on the walls will provide a professional look to the studio.
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Create a wall system of storage if you have enough space for the art studio. No artist can have too much storage space for ink, brushes, chalks, paints, clay and other supplies. Make sure the doors will lock over the storage area since children can wander into the area. Create a barrier for the easel area as well. Oil paint must dry over a period of time, so artists working in this medium need gates or ways to rope off the area from other family members.
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Tips & Warnings
Include media players and piped-in music via speakers to the artist's studio. Every artist needs additional inspiration, so music is often the perfect solution. Vent the area well by using an overhead fan or installing vents coming from central heat and air. The temperature for working in the studio must be comfortable over long hours of work time. An artist will fail to use an art studio if it is not a comfortable place to spend time in.
