How to Create A Multi-Purpose Creative Space

I believe every room in a home should be well used. Today, I’m excited to share the newest creative space in our home and give tips on How to Create a Multi-Purpose Creative Space.

When we moved in, this room looked like this and here’s how it’s looking now.

Do you guys recognize this room?

It used to be our guest room. I redid the guest room back in November 2014, click here to see the post. We did a lot to this space. We painted the bright blue walls a more serene color, Glass Slipper by Benjamin Moore. We dealt with calcimine paint on the ceiling. We stenciled a beautiful lace accent wall and we used gel stain to darken the trim. I loved this space, and while we had a handful of guests stay, this room was pretty underutilized. The only person, well dog, in our family who used it on a regular basis was Poppy. She loved sleeping on the bed.

Aw, isn’t she a sweetheart?!?

I was listening to this podcast over on The Little Yellow Couch with Nikki Brantmark of My Scandinavian Home.

As I drove, I listened and she discussed how all Scandinavian homes believe that it’s important to use all the space, even carving out different regions in a room. It was then, that my brain started churning and I realized, wow, the guest room had more potential. You guys may remember that I had an office that I loved. It was shabby chic with creamy walls but Luke started working from home. Then I moved my creative space to the landing. This space looked cool, but was just so hard to focus. Luke does a lot on conference calls so I could hear his office chatter next to me. The guest room has a door that I can shut at any time.

Here’s how my new creative space is looking now:

We removed the bed and dresser and replaced it with different furniture. Some of which we had but some I went out and bought for this space. I will include a full source list at the end of this post to help you if you want to recreate this look.

I already had this French chair from my first office space. The curtains were in the bedroom.

This streamlined Scandinavian style desk is new. I actually bought two of them from Ikea.

One desk is for art. I use this one for watercolor and I’m hoping to dabble in hand lettering this year. For me, it’s helpful to have a creative space already set up. I keep my paints, palette and watercolor paper at the ready. That way I can paint when the mood strikes and I can’t use the excuse of not having anywhere to paint. I set this desk by the window because I love painting in natural light but I also have the lamp just in case I need it, if it’s snowing out or a gray day.

Over the break I started working through some watercolor tutorial books.

I’m currently painting lemons and the tutorial can be found in Billy Showell’s Watercolor Fruit & Vegetable Portraits book. I’ll next be working on tutorials in Botanical Painting in Watercolor and The Modern Flower Painter (all affiliate links).

This lemon isn’t perfect but I’m learning so much about the process – how to create texture, how to layer paints and also create customized colors. I’m really enjoying spending time working on art. It just makes me happy.

In between the desks, is a flat file organizer (also from Ikea) that’s on wheels. I originally wanted to get a vintage flat file organizer but they were all very large and bit out of my price range. This one is perfect. I store finished paintings and supplies in the drawers. I love the wheels because it means it can move easily if needed (like if we have company coming).

As I type this, I’m sitting at the other desk.

The chair was from my old office but still works great in here. I have ample storage in the desk for design inspiration and plenty of room to write and brainstorm on the surface. The desks are made out of bamboo and I love the texture.

The bulletin board is for art inspiration. Either my work or what is currently inspiring me.

Little Max is pretty nosy. He and Poppy think it’s their room.

They both enjoy to snuggle on the daybed.

Above the desk are picture ledges.

These photos are from a shoot with Katina Bentley when Conor was only a week old!

The one of Luke and I was captured by Kjeld Mahoney and I took that one of John when he was very little. I think 22 months. It was actually in January at Minot Beach. I love being surrounded by my guys when I work, after all they’re my inspiration.

My friend Lucy gave me that beautiful watercolor feather a few years ago and I love it so much.

The light is new and can be angled. I love the mix of white enamel and brass. It’s modern, yet classic, at the same time.

The boys gave me this beautiful calendar from Felix Doolittle. I find Felix Fu’s watercolors so beautiful and the shop and atelier in West Newton are so inspiring.

The large bookshelf is decorated in a mix of shells, antique books, photos and some of my mom’s Beatrix Potter collection.

I’ve filled this room with things that inspire me and things that I love.

The colors are soft and serene so I have room to think creatively.

I ended up taking the metal prints from Luke’s office. They are by Kjeld Mahoney and are of Scituate Lighthouse in a storm.

When they capture the light it’s almost as if the waves are moving and crashing.

This is such a big wall, it makes the room appear larger to have over-sized artwork.

This daybed opens into a king size bed so we still have ample space for guests but it just means I can use this space too.

Essential Elements for a Multi-Purpose Creative Space

Ample workspace that’s appealing and can easily be moved if guests arrive

Convertible bedding that can double as a couch when the space is an office / studio

Abundant natural light

Task lighting that is positional

A color palette you love. I love soft and serene, but if you are motivated by color and lots of pattern do that

A mat if you have a rolling chair, the wheels can damage the floor

Decor, photos and imagery that inspires you

A door (if there are distractions in your home).

I hope you enjoy my new studio / office as much as I do. Below is a source list of everything in the room. I hope this gave you some ideas for creating your own.

The below source list contains some affiliate links for your convenience, if you purchase via one of these links, I’ll receive a portion of the sale. You can read my full disclosure policy here. Thank you for supporting our blog in this way.

Source List

• Wall Color – Glass Slipper, stenciled color White Dove – Benjamin Moore
• Wall Stencil – Royal Design Studio
• Desks – Ikea
• Storage Cabinet – Ikea
• Desk Light – Ikea
• French Chair – World Market
• Roller Chair – World Market
• Oriental Rug – Vintage from my parents
• Picture Ledges – Ikea
• Pin Board – Ikea
• Curtains – Target (similar – Target no longer have the same ones)
• Blue Heron Clock – Society6
• Wall Light – Amazon
• Mat for chair – Ikea
• Frames – mostly Ikea, Starfish one Welch Company
• Books, Shells, Antiques – Collected over time from thrift stores and yard sales
• Daybed – Ikea
• Standing Lamp – Target
• Fluffy Pillow and duvet cover – HomeGoods
• Striped Pillows – Ikea
• Kilim Pillows – Revival Rugs
• Whale Pillow – Minted
• Lighthouse Metal Prints in Reclaimed Wood – Kjeld Mahoney Photography
• Arches Paper
• Paint Palette
• domino – Amazon
• Classic Style – Amazon