Set Up a Watercolour Mini Studio

Let’s talk about something that makes all the difference when it comes to painting — your creative space.
Whether you’ve got a whole studio or just a small corner of the kitchen table, the right setup can make painting feel so much more peaceful and inspiring.

1. Keep it simple but fun

You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect studio to feel creative.
Even a small table near a window can become your happy place if you set it up intentionally.

I like to keep my brushes in a pretty mug or holder, and sometimes a little vase of flowers nearby (because who doesn’t love a touch of nature while painting?).

The goal isn’t perfection — it’s peace.
A clear space helps you clear your mind, and a few thoughtful details make it feel special.

2. Natural light is your best friend

If you can, paint near a window or somewhere with soft daylight.
It helps you see true colours and lifts your mood too.

But if you’re painting in the evenings (which I often do once the boys are in bed!), invest in a daylight lamp — it makes all the difference.

3. Create a little ritual

Before I paint, I love to make a cup of something warm — usually green tea or my lemon and lime water — and take a few slow breaths.

Maybe for you it’s lighting a candle, playing calm music, or opening the window to feel a bit of fresh air.
That small ritual helps you shift gears from the busy day into creative flow.

4. Organise your tools — but not too much!

If you’re anything like me, you probably own way too many brushes and paints (but somehow still need more, right?).

A simple organiser or small storage tray can help keep your essentials at hand — brushes, paints, water pot, paper towel, and your favourite palette.

I keep mine in easy reach so I can start painting quickly before I overthink it.

5. Surround yourself with inspiration

Pin up a few of your favourite pieces, sketches, or colour swatches. Even pull out pages from a magazine, it might be a beautiful pattern from a dress or a pattern on a plate that’s caught your eye.
Add a few travel photos or things from nature that inspire you — shells, leaves, or little keepsakes.

These tiny details tell your brain, this is a place for creativity.

6. Make it flexible

If you don’t have a permanent art space, that’s okay too.
Keep your supplies in a portable basket or box so you can move around — paint at the kitchen table, in the garden, or even at your desk between cups of tea.

Your creative space doesn’t have to be fixed — it just needs to be ready when inspiration hits.

Final Thought

Your watercolour space is your safe place — where time slows, colours flow, and you can truly switch off.

So today, give your space a little love.
Tidy a corner, place your favourite brushes in a jar, open the window, and maybe pop a small plant nearby.

Then take a deep breath, grab your cuppa, and start creating. If you keep waiting to have the ‘perfect studio space’, you might never find the time to just get started. Because the best art doesn’t come from the perfect setup — it comes from you being ready to be creative.