Sitting at my messy, unorganized desk while staring at a blank iPad canvas that felt impossible to fill, I had a moment of brutal clarity: I couldn't create in a space like this.
I kept blaming myself for the creative block—telling myself I just wasn't talented enough, wasn't trying hard enough.
But the truth was staring me in the face: my environment was working against me, not with me.
That realization a couple years ago changed everything. I didn't need a complete studio overhaul or thousands of dollars in new equipment. What I needed was to create a space that actually supported my creative process instead of sabotaging it.
Whether you're working in a dedicated studio or a corner of your bedroom, your environment shapes your creativity more than you might realize. These three essential tips (plus one powerful bonus) are the exact changes that transformed my creative space from a source of frustration into a place where inspiration actually flows.
1. Optimize Your Lighting
Natural light is an artist's best friend. Position your workspace near a window if possible! If it's not possible, try to invest in quality adjustable lighting that mimics natural light.
Why this matters: Poor lighting doesn't just affect how you see your work—it affects your mood, energy levels, and ability to perceive color accurately. Artists working in dim or inconsistent lighting often struggle with color matching and end up redoing work when they see it in proper light. Good lighting is an investment in both the quality of your art and your physical wellbeing.
Pro tip: Position your primary light source perpendicular to your dominant hand to minimize shadows on your work surface. When filming iPad lettering, I ONLY use natural light from a window, never overhead light to reduce glare!
2. Organize With Intention, Not Perfection
Your supplies should be accessible, not just tidy. Use clear containers, wall-mounted organizers, or open shelving so you can see what you have at a glance. Create zones for different activities—a painting area separate from a sketching corner, for example. The goal isn't Instagram-worthy organization, but a system that keeps YOUR creative flow uninterrupted when inspiration strikes.
Why this matters: Nothing kills creative momentum faster than spending twenty minutes hunting for the right brush or discovering you're out of a color mid-project. When your materials are visible and within reach, you spend less time managing logistics and more time actually creating. Different projects require different tools, and zoning your space by activity type means you can switch between mediums without a major cleanup operation.
Pro tip: Do a quarterly "supply audit" where you pull out everything you haven't used in months. You might rediscover forgotten materials that spark new ideas, or realize you can donate supplies that no longer serve your practice.
3. Surround Yourself With Inspiration
Curate a rotating collection of things that spark ideas: postcards, color swatches, fabric samples, or prints of artwork you admire. Create a mood board or pin wall where you can easily swap out references. This visual library becomes a creative catalyst when you're feeling stuck, and it personalizes your space in a way that feels uniquely yours.
Why this matters: Inspiration isn't something you can force, but you can create conditions where it's more likely to appear. A curated collection of visual references serves as a conversation between you and the artists, styles, and ideas you're drawn to. When you hit a creative wall, these visual touchstones can help you reconnect with what excited you about making art in the first place.
Pro tip: Change out your inspiration board seasonally or whenever you start a new project. Fresh visual input prevents your references from becoming invisible background noise and keeps your perspective evolving. At the least, I reccomened a yearly change up of your inspo board. Get out your scissors, magazines, fabrics...whatever, and start a new inspo board each year.
Bonus Tip: Add Elements That Engage Your Senses
Creative spaces aren't just visual. Consider what enhances your other senses: a small speaker for music or podcasts, plants that improve air quality(like a snake plant) and add life, or a diffuser with energizing scents like citrus or peppermint. Even a window you can open for fresh air makes a difference. When your environment feels good holistically, your creativity flows more naturally.
Why this matters: Your brain doesn't experience creativity in isolation—it responds to your entire environment. The right background music can help you enter a flow state. Plants don't just look nice; they reduce stress and improve air quality in spaces where you might be using materials with fumes. Scent has a direct pathway to memory and emotion, making it one of the most powerful (and underutilized) tools for setting a creative mood.
Pro tip: Create different sensory "profiles" for different types of work. Upbeat music and bright lighting for experimental work where you want energy. Softer lighting and ambient sounds for detailed work requiring deep concentration. Your space can shift with your creative needs.
Your Creative Space, Your Rules
At the end of the day, the best creative space is one that works for you—not one that follows someone else's rules or aesthetic.
Some artists thrive in organized minimalism; others need a bit of beautiful chaos. Some need complete silence; others need a soundtrack.
Start with these foundational elements—lighting, organization, inspiration, and sensory engagement—and then trust your instincts. Your creative space should feel like an extension of your artistic voice, a place where showing up to work feels less like obligation and more like coming home.
What's one change you could make to your creative space today? Sometimes the smallest adjustments create the biggest shifts in how we work and what we create.
I hope these ideas help your creative energy start flowing!
xo, meg