Let’s be honest: not all of us have a dreamy loft with natural light, rolling storage racks, and a dedicated “wet area.” In fact, most artists—especially women—create in shared apartments, small bedrooms, or in the corner of a dining room between meals.

And yet, the art still gets made.

At the Women’s Artists Collective, we know space doesn’t define your value as an artist. What matters is the work—and how cleverly you make room for it. Whether you’re painting from your kitchen table, sculpting in a hallway, or collaging on your lap during your child’s nap, this post is for you.

Here are our favorite space-saving hacks, smart storage tips, and creative setups to help you thrive in even the smallest of studios.

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1. Create a “Pop-Up” Studio That Packs Away Easily

If you can’t dedicate a permanent space to your art, make your supplies and surfaces modular and mobile.

Try this:

• Use a folding card table or ironing board as a portable workspace.
• Store supplies in rolling carts (like the IKEA RÅSKOG) that can be wheeled in and out of closets.
• Keep a canvas drop cloth to quickly protect floors or tables, then roll it up when done.

Pro Tip: Assign a designated shelf or box where your in-progress work lives between sessions. It prevents the “where did I put that?” cycle and respects your process, even if your studio disappears after dinner.

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2. Use Vertical Space Like a Pro

Small floor plan? Go up.

Install wall-mounted:

• Pegboards for brushes, scissors, and tools
• Floating shelves for sketchbooks or paint tubes
• Magnetic strips to hold metal tools and palettes

Over-the-door organizers (meant for shoes or toiletries) can hold everything from spray paints to yarn to glues.

Don’t underestimate:

• The inside of closet doors
• Back of furniture
• The side of your desk or fridge for clip-on storage

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3. Scale to Your Space (But Think Big in Series)

If your workspace is physically small, your art doesn’t have to feel small.

Work in series—a collection of small pieces that connect visually or conceptually. These are easier to store, ship, and sell, and can later be exhibited together as a unified installation.

Ideas:

• A series of 6×6 inch paintings on paper
• A grid of abstract collage tiles
• Sequential narrative drawings or photo prints

Working small doesn’t mean thinking small.

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4. Repurpose Household Items for Creative Use

No budget for specialty gear? Look around your house with artist’s eyes.

• Baking sheets = Portable palettes or drying trays
• Dish racks = Vertical drying for canvases and paper
• Mason jars = Brush holders or pigment water jars
• Cutlery trays = Supply organizers

Labeling, stacking, and grouping your materials makes them easier to grab—and easier to put away when life takes over your workspace again.

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5. Set Boundaries (Even Invisible Ones)

When you create in shared or domestic space, mental boundaries are just as important as physical ones.

• Use a visual cue to mark your “studio time”—like putting on headphones or lighting a candle.
• Set timers for focused creative bursts (25 minutes is a good start).
• Let housemates or family know when you’re in “art mode,” even if you’re just at the kitchen table.

Respect your work by treating your time and space—even temporary—as real. Because it is.

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6. The Most Valuable Tool: Permission

You don’t need a fancy studio to be a serious artist. You don’t need silence, money, or square footage to make work that matters.

Give yourself permission to:

• Make messes (and clean up later)
• Create imperfectly in imperfect conditions
• Claim time and space—however small—as your own

Your kitchen table is not a compromise. It’s a launchpad.

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BONUS: Your “Tiny Studio” Starter Kit

Tool/Item	Purpose	Tip
Drop cloth or tarp	Protect surfaces	Use a canvas one for reuse
Rolling cart	Mobile storage	Organize by medium
Clipboard or board	Portable drawing surface	Great for plein air, too
Clamp-on lamp	Better lighting	Get one with adjustable neck
Stackable bins or trays	Vertical storage	Clear bins help visibility

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We Want to See Your Small-but-Mighty Studios!

Tag us on Instagram @womensartistscollective or use the hashtag #SmallSpaceBigArt to share your creative setups—whether it’s a corner nook, closet-turned-studio, or multi-use dining table.