An artist’s studio might seem like a luxury for many creatives. A separate, dedicated space is essential for an artist, whether professional, a hobbyist or somewhere in between.

Your spare bedroom, or even the master suite, is not likely to be the place where masterpieces are created. Mixing work with the space you sleep can make it hard to switch off, and depending on your medium of choice, it can get messy. 

You can hire space from someone else, or perhaps a shed or garage might provide a temporary option. But what if you could have the perfect artist’s studio only a few metres down your garden path? 

Here we’ve put together some tips on how to transform a garden room into an artist’s studio. 

What essentials do you need in an artist’s studio?

To begin with, you’ll need to gather your tools. You might need some or all of the following:

  • A easel, desk or taboret for your workstation, unless you prefer floorwork
  • A chair or stool
  • Your medium of choice, paint, clay, paper, mixed-media materials, canvases, a potters wheel – the list is long, varied and entirely up to you
  • Reference material to inspire you
  • A still-life box or backdrop and props
  • Storage space

How much space do you need in your garden room studio?

Do you paint three metre-wide murals or do you work in miniature? 

The space you need will be determined by the scale of the work you produce. They say that limitation is the mother of invention, but your space needs to be comfortable enough to move around in. 

For smaller pieces, ensuring there is space for a desk or easel might be all you require. A 15-square-metre space, such as the Tulip garden room, might be more than sufficient. 

For the larger, more expansive artwork, plenty of floor and wall space will be needed for your canvas. Access via double doors comes in handy when you are manoeuvring canvases in and out of your studio, too. 

What storage do you need for your artwork and supplies?

For finished pieces awaiting a new home or an all-important sale, you will need a place to store them while they dry and once completed.

Do you need racks for keeping canvases upright? A chest with shallow drawers for paper-based work? Or shelving for small sculptures?

Storing materials close by so they are easily accessible when you feel the lightning strike of ideas is also something to consider when planning your studio.

What kind of features and facilities do you need in your studio space?

The type of facilities you’ll need in your new studio will largely depend on the media you work with. 

A fully plumbed-in sink might be essential for a clay or paint artist. Whereas an artist who uses only paper or graphite pencil might only use a tap to fill the kettle for tea. 

A hard floor would be a sensible option for artists who enjoy a free approach to painting or clay. Laminated floors are easy to clean and sweep up when inspiration spills off the edge of a canvas or potters’ wheel. 

What should you do about light in a garden studio?

In an ideal world, all studios would be north-facing for clean natural light. Sadly, British weather, even in southern counties like Berkshire, is not that reliable. 

In the presence of grey storm clouds, or if you work better at night, it is worth investing in appropriate lighting options. 

Art materials manufacturer Windsor & Newton recommends using bulbs with full-spectrum light rather than standard bulbs. These replicate natural sunlight and allow you to see colour more accurately. 

When the sun does decide to show, consider how you use windows or bifold patio doors in the space. The more light floods in, the more details can be seen while you work.

How should you decorate your studio space?

Many garden rooms come already painted in neutral colours of your choice. However, a white cube might not suit every artist. 

Add a splash of colour or use your walls as an extended gallery wall for postcards, colour swatches, magazine clippings, photographs to work from, development sketches, and shelves of reference books. Anything that triggers a creative burst or motivates you.

Or leave it blank, the choice is yours. 

What are the safety considerations for creating an artist’s studio?

Painters who use solvents and spirits in their work should consider whether there is sufficient ventilation via windows and doors. Fumes in a confined space can be harmful. 

An alternative is to use modern, less toxic materials from art and craft suppliers. It is also good to consider how you will deal with spillages and used sharps such as craft knives. 

For those planning on lone working, make sure that your garden room is secure from unexpected visitors at night, even if it is only local wildlife.

The joy of having your own artist studio in a garden room is that you are free to create as you want and when you want.