Inspired by the many talented artists who have designed & purchased Melwood backyard art studios, we’ve curated a list of Art Studio design tips!
From window & door placement to functional furniture, find out everything you need to know to design a space that will get the creative juices flowing!
Tip 1: Window & Door Placement
When designing your Melwood art studio, you are able to have as many doors & windows as you like, and you can choose where they go!
One of the most important factors for any creative studio is natural lighting.
Whether it’s for photography, art or even pottery, natural light is king!
This makes our Mod Design very popular for Art Studios, as the ‘highlight windows’ let in a lot of natural light.
Click here for more images of David’s Art Studio
Double doors + sidelights to maximise light
Another very popular addition to art studios is double doors & sidelights.
Practical and beautiful, this creates almost a full ‘wall of glass’ on one side of the building, with a large 1.7m opening.
This wide opening will make it much easier to get furniture, shelving and easels into your studio.
Sliding windows for ventilation
Ventilation is an important consideration in an art studio.
To make the most of fresh air & a ‘cross breeze’, we recommend choosing at least one sliding window for your studio.
When positioned at the top of the wall, there is still plenty of wall space for furniture, shelving or displaying artwork.
Panorama Windows
Panorama Windows are another great addition to your art studio.
The top section slides open (great for ventilation!), and they provide a lot of natural light.
This backyard studio features two panorama windows which are great for ventilation & light.
The studio is compact to suit an inner-city backyard, and measures just 2.0 m x 3.6 m!
Tip 2: Get creative with Internal Lining
When your studio is delivered and installed, you have effectively got a ‘blank canvas’ interior.
You can add a wall lining, or just use as is!
Unlined Walls
A lot of artists leave their cabanas unlined, as they are going to “get paint everywhere anyway!”.
David chose to leave his Melwood art studio unlined (and what a contrast it is to his fabulous artwork!)
Traditional Plasterboard
Alternatively, there are many different wall lining options that can be attached to the timber framing of your Melwood studio.
Whilst traditional plasterboard is the most common option, there are others to consider too.
(learn about alternative wall linings here)
Plywood Wall Lining
Plywood wall lining is easy to DIY and comes in a range of different finishes.
Using plywood walls and then painting them a crisp white creates a beautiful ‘blank canvas’ for a colourful, creative space.
Or, you could even paint a mural onto your plywood walls!
Tip 3: Clever Flooring Options
Your new studio comes with an unpainted smooth plywood floor.
A popular option for art studios is to seal the floor with a lacquer. This brings out the natural patterns in the wood beautifully and creates a protected, but smooth floor for your studio.
Another bonus; if you change your mind later, it’s easy to add a different flooring type on top!
If you prefer a different floor option, you can add any residential flooring options on top of this: think carpet, carpet tiles, floating timber floorboards, laminate.
Tip 4: Add a Sink
A simple sink and tap in your art studio will make all the difference when it comes to cleaning up!
After your Melwood Studio is installed, you can get a plumber to connect a bathroom or sink up for you.
It’s important that you engage the services of a plumber after your Melwood site inspection and before your studio is installed.
This will allow them to do any prep or groundwork required beforehand.
Not sure who to use? No problem – we can recommend a plumber to you.
Tip 5: Add Functional Furniture for storage & display
Last but not least, add a few pieces of carefully-selected functional furniture to your studio as a final touch.
Shelving
Shelving is excellent in an art studio for both storage and display.
Categorizing supplies by item type into baskets will make them easy to find (and easy on the eye!)
A dresser
Not just for inside the house, a dresser is a very functional piece of furniture for your studio!
The drawers can be used for neat storage, with artwork and paintbrushes displayed on top.
Comfortable Seating
Lastly, a few comfortable seats will turn your studio into an inviting space where family and friends can relax.
A seat, a throw and some cushions will make your studio even more relaxing.
Claudia’s studio has a large lounge and a few single seats, creating plenty of space for family & friends.
Having your own dedicated art space may even inspire other family members to pick up a brush!
(Perhaps the trickiest thing will be keeping the studio to yourself)
@kimberlygreenart “It’s sooooo great to be able to make a mess and walk away. My art has definitely improved with this space.”
A portable storage caddy
A rolling storage caddy is a great studio addition.
This allows you to move your supplies and easel to the best light throughout the day.
How to get your own backyard Art Studio
All photos in this post are of Melwood Art Studios – decorated and fitted out by their very talented and creative owners!
Your new studio is just a few clicks away. Click here to download our Garden Room pricelist and get your project started!
Want to see our Garden Rooms in person? Click here for Display Centre locations & opening hours.