How to Create a Painting Space in a Small Rental Apartment

If you live in a small apartment, then creating a good painting space can seem challenging.

However, creating a painting space in a small rental apartment is often easier than you think. With a little preparation and the right supplies, you can create an effective mini painting studio in any small or large space.

Today, we’re explaining how to create a painting space in a small rental apartment or any other type of environment.

Pick the Right Wall Color

Wall color impacts the appearance of your work. Wall color reflects onto your painting, and it could dramatically change how your painting looks in certain light.

First, you need to pick a corner of your apartment based on the wall color.

Or, if you don’t like any of the walls in your apartment, then hang a curtain or screen. A curtain or screen is particularly effective in a smaller, studio space. The curtain or screen provides physical separation from the rest of the room while also giving you the colored backdrop of your choice. Plus, you don’t have to repaint a rental apartment to optimize color.

If you’re serious about creating a painting studio at home, consider changing the wall color. It’s a cheap and effective way to change the feel of your studio – although it may not be an option for renters.

Things to consider about wall paint colors include:

• Warm colors lead to warmer palettes

• Cool colors lead to cooler palates

• Light-colored walls encourage color

• Dark-colored walls can lead to darker, moodier-looking work

• White walls are an ideal ‘neutral’ color because they don’t push you towards any particular direction

Optimize Light

Light is the second important thing to consider. Light, like color, significantly impacts the appearance of your work. If your painting studio has significant light, it can give your work lighter, more airy tones. Studios with less light might contribute to darker, moodier works.

Many new artists assume natural light is good for a studio. However, natural light can introduce new challenges. Natural light varies throughout the day. It could significantly change the appearance of your painting, giving false intensity to certain colors at certain times of day. Looking at your painting in the evening, it could seem completely different than during the day.

Many artists in the northern hemisphere prefer a north-facing window, as natural light fluctuates less throughout the day.

Install “Studio” Lighting

If you’re serious about creating an effective studio at home, you need to buy your own studio lighting.

You don’t have to permanently install new light fixtures in your apartment. Instead, set up a lamp nearby and focus it near your piece.

You have three main options when creating a studio at home, including:

• Incandescent and halogen bulbs

• Fluorescent light

• LEDs

Incandescent and halogen bulbs create a yellowish light, making certain colors look funny and making mixing difficult. Although they’re good in a pinch, they may be problematic in smaller spaces.

Fluorescent light, meanwhile, gives you a better idea of the ‘true’ color of a piece, although fluorescent lights have a shorter lifespan. As your fluorescent lightbulb gets older, it could dim and flicker, making it more difficult to paint. They also require special disposal because they contain mercury.

LEDs are often your best option. They last longer than the other two options. They give you a better idea of color. They give your piece accurate color appearance under the glow.

As pointed out by Ingrid Christensen at Artsy.net, many LEDs also come with a Color Rendering Index (CRI) representing the accuracy of color reproduction. Look for LEDs with a CRI of 90 or higher (it’s a 1 to 100 scale).

Consider Safety When Working with Toxic Chemicals

If you work only with watercolors, then toxicity is not an issue. If you work with acrylics and other media, however, it’s important to consider toxicity. You may not want to leave toxic paints exposed around your home – especially if you have pets or kids.

Invest in safe paint storage solutions. Check your paints for toxic pigments. Paint manufacturers’ websites publish information about individual pigments and their toxic effects.

Wear gloves while you paint to minimize toxic spread throughout your space. Avoid leaving solvent-colored rags around your space.

Ultimately, paint toxicity may not matter in a larger space, although it could be important in smaller studios – like your apartment.

Check Instagram for Inspiration

Plenty of artists are working from home in 2020. Whether you’re an amateur or professional artist, you can browse Instagram for inspiration.

Check Instagram hashtags to discover ideas for creating a studio at home. It’s a quick and easy way to see how other artists have setup their space.

Some of the hashtags to check to discover effective studios include #art, #artistsoninstagram, #artstagram, #artist, and #artwork, among others.

Checking these hashtags in 2020 is particularly effective, as more artists than ever have created their own effective painting spaces at home.

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Final Word

A painting studio may seem like an undeserved luxury – especially if you live in a small apartment or condo.

However, with basic planning, you can create a painting studio in any small or large space.

Create your painting space, then sign up for a virtual paint and wine class with Paint and Sip Live today. Join via Zoom and learn new painting skills in a fun, collaborative environment – including live DJs, step-by-step instructions, and as much wine as you like.

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