Keeping art supplies organized is essential to working in a small space.
Turning a shed into an art studio is an excellent way to give yourself creative space to work away from your home and the distractions that come with it. However, turning a shed into an art studio requires some planning beforehand, especially if you are working with a small shed that will need modifications before you can actually work in it.
Instructions
1. Install a window fan or air-conditioning unit with an exhaust function to get rid of chemical smells and fumes from art supplies. Working in an environment that is not properly ventilated can cause health problems. If your shed has windows that can be opened, consider installing a ceiling fan or getting a powerful box fan instead.
2. Put plastic or paper sheeting on the floor and walls with painters tape to keep paint and art materials off the shed, which can build up and become very hard to clean. If you work in the shed regularly, you will need to change the plastic or paper sheeting about once per month. Do not cover up windows and ventilation areas with plastic or paper sheeting.
3. Hang shelving or fasten industrial shelving units to the walls to hold heavy items that you need to access regularly. Try to keep the shelving organized by the type of item: keep high-gloss acrylic paint on a separate shelf than oil paints. This will help to increase your productivity and keep you organized, especially if you are working in a small shed. Industrial shelving units can be purchased through most office-supply stores and online.
4. Purchase industrial steel or metal cabinets with drawers to organize smaller art supplies like brushes, ink and small tubes of paint. Organize the drawers by type and label them on the outside with painters tape and an easily visible permanent marker for easy access.
5. Hang evenly spaced hooks on one wall to hold canvas pieces that are in progress even if you are using an easel. By having extra hanging space on one of the walls, you can quickly move between different pieces.
6. Get flat files to hold finished paper pieces and works in progress. If you have a particularly small space, consider building shelving over the flat files to maximize what you can get in the shed without compromising your work space.
