5 Ways to Improve Your Creative Space

Do you have a dedicated space in your house or apartment that you can call your own? A place you can retreat to and be creative? A sanctuary... an oasis... whatever you choose to call it, you deserve a one-of-a-kind artistic environment for your creative work. For all too many of you, I'll bet that maintaining your creative space is an continuous, ongoing struggle.

I'm pretty darn happy with my studio now. Just about everything I need to handle most every possible creative and business task is within easy reach. I have internet access, 2 computers, a TV/DVR, a stereo, and best of all, wrap-around windows with a view out on my pastoral backyard, so there's LOTS of natural light. It's quiet and serene and I have never been more productive and creative in my life.

But it wasn't always like this. I know what it's like to fight for my creative area. In fact, at our old house it was always a big hassle getting started on a project. Sometimes I swear I spent more time dragging everything out and then packing it all safely away, than I actually spent working on it. Ugh! But I made myself do it and through the years, I actually got pretty good at carving out the creative space I needed and maximizing it's potential.

So... whether you're working with a lot of space or just a little, here's some tips that might help you:

1. Claim it
Clear a space that's just for YOU and set up shop because you deserve it! Take a room if you can get it, or a corner of a room, or a closet. Even a table will do. The important thing is that you have a space that you can call  your own and feel assured that your family won't disturb your in-process projects or borrow and use your precious supplies and tools. (Even though I could only claim a little table in the corner of my bedroom at the old house, my husband & daughter knew all too well what would happen it they borrowed my scissors or used my chalk for ANYTHING!)

2. Organize it
The smaller your work area, the MORE important it is to be organized. Invest in some good quality storage units so that the amount of time you spend searching for the items you need is minimized (and if they're cute and easy to look at, so much the better). Nothing can break your creative flow more quickly than having to continuously stop and hunt for the items you need!

3. Personalize it
In addition to being organized, your work area needs to be as visually inspiring as possible. A good way to do this is by adding items that hold emotional significance for you. Photographs are an easy way to personalize your space, as are handmade items, souvenirs. For example, as quick as we came home from Canada, I placed a framed picture of Lake Louise (easily the most beautiful place I've seen so far on this earth) within view of my computer.
Are you inspired by color? Consider adding a small design board so that you can hang fabric swatches, sketches or magazine clippings that you find interesting. Your decorated space should look inviting and should make you feel relaxed and motivated to work in it.

4. Brighten it
Even if your room is normally bathed in ample natural light like mine, there will be times when you need to augment it with additional lighting. Appropriate lighting can lift your spirits, that's for sure, but let's face it, it's really hard to maintain energy and forward momentum in a dark, dank corner.

5. Green it
Plants are a wonderful way to add energy to a lifeless workspace. Use only living oxygen-generating plants, not lifeless fake ones. This is especially important if your workspace has no windows to the world outside. Bring yourself back to nature by adding some plants to your workspace, and you'll find yourself enjoying the environment more.

Now Go DO It!

Take a moment now to survey your creative space and jot down a few changes you'd like to make. How can you make your workspace even MORE relaxing, liveable and attractive? If cash is tight, set a budget for how much you'd like to spend to personalize and organize your space. Think about your favorite places to hang out... What is it about those places that made you feel good? How can you modify your creative space to create a similar feel?

Don't have the time or resources for a complete workspace makeover? Then just change one little thing each week. Add a photo. Buy a plant. Clean up the junk pile. But most of all, get busy creating!

So... do YOU have a dedicated space for YOUR creative work? And more to the point...

What have you done to make YOUR space more organized, relaxing or inspirational? 

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