Organize Your Creative Workspace: Make It Beautiful & Productive

CLEANING & REARRANGING YOUR WORK AREA TO WORK FOR YOU

Whether you have a free afternoon or a few unexpected weeks at home (hello, quarantine life), refreshing your workspace can completely shift your creative energy.

I used to dream about the perfect studio—saved ideas on Pinterest, blog posts bookmarked, sketches in my head. But then I thought, 'Why wait?' If this is where I am working now, it should support me now. I stopped waiting for a future space and decided to make this one functional, inspiring, and ME.

USEFUL VS. CLUTTER: THE ARTIST’S DILEMMA

Like many, I got inspired by Marie Kondo’s message of keeping only what sparks joy. I started applying it around the house, but when I finally turned to my studio, it got real.

I found materials I had not touched in years. Things I told myself I might use one day. Old works, I thought I’d "fix" eventually. The truth? I never did. If it didn’t spark joy or serve my current process, it had to go—either to the giveaway pile or the trash.

We often inherit a mindset of “just in case” and “don’t waste”—especially from older generations who lived through hardship. But as artists, that mentality can bury us under stuff we no longer see or need.

Letting go isn't wasteful but making space for what supports your creativity now.

REARRANGING FOR REAL LIFE: ADAPTING TO YOUR PRESENT NEEDS

Over the past few years, I’ve rearranged my studio more times than I can count—college spaces, tiny dining rooms, hurricane evacuations, toddler-proofing, and now, pandemic living. Life shifts, and so does the studio.

Right now, I have more space, but it wasn’t working for me. My toddler had his designated area, but, like most kids, he preferred to be everywhere else. It forced me to rethink the layout. I needed a space that worked for both of us—room for him to explore, and room for me to create without constant disruption.

Your workspace should reflect your current season of life—not the fantasy one, not the past one, but this one.

A STUDIO IS NOT JUST A STUDIO

The studio I had in college is not the studio I need now. Back then, it was a shared space, shaped by assignments and professor critiques. I created within those walls—literally and figuratively.

Now, I am the one deciding what to make and when. That freedom has changed everything, the workflow, my materials, and how much space I need to work on multiple projects.

In my own space, I realized something: the way we set up our studios reflects how we have grown as artists. I used to be an art supply hoarder—if I did not see it, I forgot I owned it. Over time, I shifted. I became more intentional with the supplies I keep and the disciplines I explore. A painter might find my setup chaotic, but for an interdisciplinary artist like me, it finally works.

DESIGN YOUR SPACE AROUND YOUR FUTURE PROJECTS

At the start of this year, I made a choice: I wanted to fully explore my passion for printmaking, but my studio wasn’t set up for it. No press, no flat surfaces, and not the clean, controlled zones printmaking requires (my printmaker friends know what I mean).

I also wanted to dive back into collage, another technique that needs space and a system. Add in running my website and blog, and suddenly, my computer was getting lost in the chaos. I’d often end up working in other rooms, losing focus and momentum.

Though I’ve downsized (we sold our big house), most of my supplies now live in a single armoire. Still, even with a minimalist setup, I had to reorganize with intention. A functional studio isn’t just about what fits—it’s about what supports the work you want to create next.

FINAL SETUP: ALIGNING SPACE WITH ENERGY

If you know me, you know how deeply I believe in energy—and how it flows through a space. Anytime things feel off, stagnant, or unlucky, I turn to Feng Shui. It’s always been my reset button.

Before any major rearranging, I bring out my Bagua map—though I’ve practically memorized the Western version by now. (I’ll still double-check when I want to go deeper.) My studio, like every space in my home, gets aligned with intention.

Your studio doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to serve you—your art, your process, your life. Rearranging isn't just about making it look nice. It’s a creative act in itself. One that clears space not only on your desk but in your mind.

What part of your workspace are you rethinking right now?

Because it's not just about where things go—it's about how the space

feels when you walk into it. That’s where creativity begins.

FENG SHUI MY STUDIO: A SPACE WITH INTENTION

I designed my creative space using the Bagua map from Feng Shui, aligning areas with deeper intentions. Here’s how I’ve set up my studio, not just for art, but for flow, energy, and the life I’m building:

Career (Entrance)

An eraser board holds my business goals and big ideas, so the path forward is always visible.

Helpful People, Travel & Mentors

Photos and a moodboard remind me of places I want to visit and the mentors who inspire me. It’s also a space to celebrate community and support.

Children & Creative

This is where I finalize my work—write, edit, and respond to clients. Right next to it? A toy corner for my son, because motherhood and creativity co-exist here.

❤️ Love & Marriage

A framed photo of my husband sits in this area. His support is the foundation that lets me do what I love.

Fame & Reputation

My award-winning artworks live here. When self-doubt creeps in, I look at this wall and remember what I’ve accomplished.

Wealth & Prosperity

I still have my first dollar earned and plan to frame it here. This zone will grow as I learn how to welcome abundance through my work.

Family

A work-in-progress painting of my grandparents rests here, created for a Día de los Muertos altar. It grounds me in legacy.

Knowledge & Wisdom

This zone now houses my printmaking area, where I’m actively learning and experimenting. I also tacked up reminders of awards and milestones to reflect continued growth.

Health (Center of the Room)

A clean, wraparound desk is the heart of my studio. It’s where I organize my projects—and also where my son often plays. We tidy up every day, practicing care and presence.

✨ FINAL REFLECTION

Every corner of this space carries intention. It reflects who I am—not just as an artist, but as a mother, a woman, and a dreamer. Rearranging my studio wasn’t just about organizing supplies—it was about designing a life that nurtures my creativity and my energy.

ORGANIZED, BUT EVOLVING

My studio is not finished yet; some final touches are still in progress. Every section has been carefully planned on paper. I believe in building spaces with intention, so I’ll continue updating this post as each zone comes together. From layout to energy, this is more than a workspace—it’s a reflection of where I am and where I’m going.