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How to Create the Ultimate Kids' Art Studio
For your miniature Picasso.
If you have the space in your home, playrooms are an amazing addition to keep the kids busy. However, if you happen to have kids who love to create art, you might want to consider setting up your own miniature art studio. There's no formula for how to make a space like this work. In fact, you can even choose to do a combo art studio/playroom if you like. Take a look at my favorite ideas so you can set up a creative, inspiring space for your kids at home.
Set Up a Workspace
Kids' White Contemporary Basement Art Studio
This low-ceiling basement space in a 1920s Colonial is now a lively children’s workspace. Artwork—hung from Ikea picture rails and curtain rods with clips—fills the room with vibrant color. In this electronics-free zone, the kids paint, draw and play games at their white craft table.
Photo by: Jessica Delaney Photography
Jessica Delaney Photography
The first thing you’ll need in a proper art studio is a generous workspace. This can usually be accomplished with a kid-sized table and chairs. You’ll want to make sure that the kids have a comfortable, easy spot where they can spread out and get inspired to create.
If you don’t have space for a table, you could even set the kids up on the floor with some comfy pillows and cushions. Whether the kids are creating on the floor or on a table, make sure to cover it up with a tarp or some craft paper so nothing gets ruined. Design by Justine Sterling Design
Create Zones
Multi-Color Playroom
To keep this kids' space bright and fun, designers took inspiration from paint chips and adorned the walls with lovely shades of blue, pink and yellow.
Photo by: LCo Design
LCo Design
Set up your space around different zones. This will help kids better understand what’s expected of them in the space. For example, you can make it clear that any painting or clay projects must be done on the table. However, you could set up another area in your space where kids can put on puppet shows, play dress-up or simply relax. Design by THE LifeStyled COMPANY
Add Open Storage
Modern Orange Table and Cube Storage in Boys' Playroom
The playroom in this space is filled with all the things that little boys love best. Trucks, books and games line the modern cube shelves that add storage to the space, while a modern orange and white table and orange chairs give the boys a place to imagine and create. Natural light from the windows on either side of the bookshelf brightens the space, and the cheetah artwork hung on the wall brings a strong, masculine presence to this whimsical room.
Photo by: Jane Beiles
Jane Beiles
Open storage is a must for a kids' art studio. It ensures that all of the art supplies are easily accessible for little ones. For anything that you want to keep out of reach, make sure to store it on a higher shelf. But for things like crayons, coloring books, notepads and paints, you can leave them on lower shelves so your child can easily grab them and get to work. Design by D2 Interieurs
Use a Variety of Containers
Meri Cherry
It’s fun to use a variety of containers to store all of your art supplies. Jars can work great, though be mindful of the glass for younger kids. But don’t be afraid to think outside of the box and use things like small dishes and bowls, wood serving pieces or cake stands. Plastic containers work great for things like playdough and paints, while cups and glasses are perfect for storing crayons, markers and paintbrushes. Design by Meri Cherry
Use Bins + Baskets, Too
Paul Goyette
You can use bins and baskets to store larger items on your open shelving, too. Things like skeins of yarn, coloring books and drawing pads would all fit nicely in storage bins. And, of course, you can also store additional toys that kids might like to play with while they’re in the art space, as well. Design by Paul Goyette
Display Your Art
Stylish Kids Art Studio
Designer Justine Sterling transformed a low-ceiling basement space in a 1920s Colonial to create a studio. It’s a walkout basement with two windows providing decent light, but it was very ugly with exposed pipes, a horrible acoustic tile ceiling and old sticky vinyl flooring. At roughly 450 square feet, there was a good amount of space to create a project room for the children. The room is now a lively children's workspace.
Photo by: Jessica Delaney Photography
Jessica Delaney Photography
Kids love to see their artwork displayed front and center, so you’ll want to think about how you might be able to do that in your art studio. These curtain rods are a great idea for hanging paintings and drawings. Washi tape is easily removable and is a great choice for displaying artwork on an empty wall. Design by Justine Sterling Design
Add an Easel
Meri Cherry
If you have a smaller playroom and can’t quite fit a table, you can use an easel to create an art zone in an already existing playroom. Ikea has beautiful, inexpensive easels that you can use in your space. Consider getting one for each child so they genuinely feel like they have their own space to create art and get messy. Design by Meri Cherry
MALA Easel, $20, ikea.com
Try a Chalkboard Wall
Contemporary Playroom With Engaging Chalkboard Wall
Design Platform created this playroom for a child's heart and imagination with the cleverly designed chalkboard wall. Colorful plastic chairs and a white table complete the look.
Photo by: David Lauer Photography
David Lauer Photography
If you have a big, empty wall space in your art studio, paint it with chalkboard paint. This is a great idea for a smaller playroom that has limited room for a traditional workspace. Design by Design Platform
