“ Creativity is a process that requires inspiration, focus, and freedom ”

While some people thrive in a cluttered environment, others prefer a tidy workspace to be productive. Your creative space can inspire or demotivate you, depending on the atmosphere you create.

🌿 My Creative Space: Creating a Calm, Personal Workspace That Works

During a recent online class, we got onto the topic of creative workspaces—and it got me thinking about just how much mine has evolved.

As I began spending more and more time in my creative space, I decided it was time to create a space that truly worked for me—not just practically, but emotionally, too.

🧘‍♀️ Minimal, Calm, and Intentionally Designed

I’ve always been drawn to a minimalist style. Clean, open space helps me think clearly and stay focused.

While I love colour in my artwork, I chose a neutral palette for my walls—the idea was to let my digital art take centre stage, not compete with bold wall colours. The colour I chose was Pollinate in half strength.

Everyone works and creates differently—but for me, a neutral colour palette helps me stay focused. I’ve experimented with bold feature walls and pops of colour in the past, but I’ve found that a calm, quiet space works best when I’m sitting at the computer and need to concentrate—especially on the colours on screen. A few of my own images hang on the walls, and they bring just the right amount of vibrancy without competing for attention.

✂️ Out with the Old, In with What Matters

One of the biggest shifts I made was decluttering. I said goodbye to stacks of magazines I hadn’t touched in years (you know the ones…), and brought in cube storage to keep all my bits and pieces tucked away but still easy to access.

Decluttering didn’t just free up space—it gave me clarity and room to breathe.

💻 The Heart of the Space: My Work Zone

I now have a spacious L-shaped desk that serves two purposes:

One side for digital work (2 monitors, Wacom tablet, etc.)
The other for writing and note-taking (I’m a bit of a list person)

I also invested in:

A standing desk option for flexibility
A commercial-grade ergonomic chair (game changer!)
A large desk mat that protects the surface and gives everything a soft, uniform feel

📚 Personal Touches That Make It Mine

I’ve intentionally added a few soft touches to make the space inviting:

A comfy chair and small side table for reading or thinking
A few of my current reads stacked nearby
A plant named Lily—a recent addition that brings some life and calm into the space
(Now that I’m not travelling as much, I can finally keep something green alive!)

It’s these small, personal items that make the space feel warm, not sterile.

💡 Let There Be Mood!

One of the most recent additions is a floor lamp—it gives the room a soft, cozy vibe that the overhead light just doesn’t offer. Especially in winter, I find that warm, ambient lighting helps me ease into creative work more gently.

Overhead lighting can be harsh, particularly when editing images, so I switch things up depending on the season and time of day. If you can, I highly recommend creating layers of light—daylight for energy, warm lamplight for comfort.

I also keep a small desk lamp nearby for task lighting—perfect for focused work like sketching ideas, writing notes, or working through finer image details without straining your eyes.

🖼 Final Thoughts

My creative space is more than just a room. It’s a place where ideas take shape, lists get written, edits come to life, and inspiration has space to breathe. It’s tidy but lived-in, functional but personal—just the way I like it.

✨ Your Creative Space: Tips to Make It Work for You

Your workspace can either spark creativity… or drain it.

Whether you’re editing photos, designing digital art, or simply trying to stay inspired, your space should support the way you work—and feel like a place you want to be.

Let’s look at a few practical ways to create a creative space that actually works for you.

🧹 Tidy or Cluttered? Know Your Style

Some creatives thrive in the middle of what looks like chaos to everyone else. Others need clean lines and clear surfaces to focus.

The truth is, there’s no right or wrong—only what works best for you.

If you lean toward a more cluttered workspace:

Create zones for different tools or projects
Use open shelves, baskets, or trays so things are visible but not messy
Give everything a home—even if it’s a creatively chaotic one

If you’re like me and prefer a tidy space:

Keep only essentials on display (my desk is as minimal as my kitchen—just the coffee machine, microwave, and fruit bowl!)
Use drawers, folders, or bins to keep your surfaces clear
Label or colour-code for easy access

🌟 Make Your Space Inspiring, Not Draining

We all have those days when our workspace feels flat and uninspiring. A dark, cluttered, or uninspired environment can easily drag down your creative energy.

Try this instead:

Let natural light in where possible
Add artwork, photos, or even your own past creations that remind you what lights you up
Use textures, colour, and objects that speak to your style—whether that’s a mood board, a quirky plant, or a handwritten quote

Think of your space as a reflection of you. It doesn’t have to be Pinterest-perfect. It just has to feel good when you sit down to create.

💡 Don’t Forget About Lighting—Especially at Night

Natural light is ideal, but let’s be real—most of us create at all hours.

If you work late or in low-light spaces, consider:

A warm LED desk lamp (2700K–3000K) that mimics natural light
Ambient lighting like a soft floor lamp or wall sconce
Avoid harsh overhead lights—they're more draining than energising
Dimmable bulbs or smart lights can help shift the mood as you work

Good lighting isn’t just about seeing—it affects how you feel. Bright and cool-toned during high-focus times, soft and warm when you're winding down or creating from a more emotional space.

🪴 My Favourite Creative Space Tips

Here’s a recap of the essentials I always come back to:

✅ Choose a space that suits your creative flow
It could be a full studio, a corner nook, or your kitchen table—whatever helps you feel in the zone.

✅ Keep it organised (your way)
Even if you’re not a minimalist, having a simple system can save time and reduce stress.

✅ Let the light in (and layer it at night)
Lighting has more impact on mood and creativity than we often realise.

✅ Add some greenery
A plant or two goes a long way in making a space feel fresh, calming, and alive.

✅ Use colour intentionally
Colour affects mood. Choose tones that energise or calm you, depending on the type of work you do.

✅ Make it yours
Your space should reflect your personality—add things that make you smile or feel grounded.

✅ Prioritise comfort
From your chair to your blanket to your favourite mug—comfort matters more than you think.

🎨 Final Thoughts

Your creative space doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to support you.

Whether you prefer a serene, styled workspace or a more organic, lived-in vibe, the goal is the same: to create an environment that inspires and sustains your creativity.

So go ahead—light the candle, clear the desk (or don’t), and make your space one that feels like home for your ideas that works for you. Your workspace should be an inspiring and motivating environment that reflects your personality and fuels your creativity.