Creating an art studio in a small space might sound like a juggling act but with the right tips and tools, you can turn even the tiniest corner into your personal art haven. You don’t need a spare room or a full-blown studio to keep your arty adventures going strong – you can build a compact, functional art space that fits right into apartment life with these storage saving ideas.
1. Corner art studio – pick your fave corner!
Start by claiming a creative corner in your home. It could be a section of your living room, a sunny nook by the window, or even part of your bedroom. The goal is to create a space that feels comfortable and inspires you to make art regularly.
A foldable or multi-purpose table can serve as your workstation, and if storage is tight, look for surfaces you can repurpose – like your dining table or a low-profile desk. Keeping your materials portable and organised will make set-up and pack-down a breeze, so creating doesn’t feel like a chore and is part of your day-to-day.
2. Try a a Tabletop Easel for flexibility
A tabletop easel is a must-have for working in small spaces. It props up your artwork at a comfortable angle without eating up too much real estate. Our in-house studio fave is the Traditional Tabletop Easel Signature because it fits a wide range of canvases and has grips to stay put on the table. But if you really want to maximise space, a Tabletop Box Easel is great for holding your artwork in place and storing your supplies, as they come with built-in storage.
Tabletop easels are compact, fold away flat, and can be easily stored under a bed or in a cupboard when you’re finished. Plus, using an easel helps improve your posture and gives you better visibility while you’re painting or sketching.
3. Storing arts and crafts
In a small studio space, smart storage makes all the difference. The Mont Marte Multi-Purpose Art Box is ideal for keeping all your tools – brushes, pencils, paints, paper and more – in one tidy place. The multi-level compartments and pull-out drawer give you loads of space to organise your materials, so you don’t have to rummage around every time you want to get creative. Plus, it even comes with a handle so you can take it on the go and move it around with ease.
We also have wooden drawers available for more fixed storage or pencils, pastels, small paints, and more. The wood finishes are timeless and suit just about any interior design.
4. Use your walls wisley
When floor space is limited, think vertical. You could install floating shelves, pegboards, or a simple corkboard above your work area to pin your creative ideas and hang tools.
Clipboards, magazine racks, or small hanging baskets can also be mounted to the wall for storing sketchbooks, brushes, or loose paper. It’s a functional and creative way to surround yourself with inspiration while keeping your desk clear.
5. Grab an all-in-one studio with a Mont Marte Creative Art Station
If you're after a more dedicated workspace without sacrificing too much room, our Creative Art Station is an all-in-one, desk-sized set-up. The compact unit has an adjustable glass tabletop, ideal for painting, sketching, or mixed media work. You can shine a light from the underside for accurate tracing and adjust the angle of the whole table to meet your posture needs.
Plus it has loads of built-in storage attached, with drawers to store your go-to supplies, studio tidies on the side, and even a shelf underneath. Slide it into the corner of your living room or bedroom and use it for art or office-work when you’re not busy creating!
6. Keep it portable with rolling easels
If you’re a dedicated painter who loved to follow natural light or keep things portable, a easel on wheels might be right up your street. Our Large Studio Easel with castors is easy to glide around your apartment, so you can make any spot your art corner.
This is ideal if you like entertaining, because you can simply roll you artwork away or into a corner so it’s out of the way when you’re not working on it.
7. Make your creative space your own!
A small art space doesn’t have to feel temporary. Add a few touches to make it a space you genuinely enjoy spending time in – whether that’s a lamp for late-night sessions, a speaker to play favourite playlist, or a piece of art that reminds you why you create in the first place.
Leave a work-in-progress on your easel or keep your sketchbook open on the desk to help build momentum and keep creating on your mind. Having your space ready to go can make it that little bit easier to dive into your next creative project.
Creating an art studio in an urban space isn’t about how much room you have – it’s about how you use it. With space-saving tools like the Creative Art Station, Multi-Purpose Art Box, and Tabletop Easels, you can build a compact and practical studio that fits right into your lifestyle.
Whether you’re carving out a corner or transforming your dining table, your next creative session is just a storage-solution away. If you do set up your space, let us know by tagging us on Instagram or Facebook @montmarteart or use #montmarteart. We’d love to see where you make, doodle, paint, and create!
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