studio hacks for small creative spaces

Running a creative business or freelancing from a small space can feel like a game of Tetris, where the pieces keep falling and you can’t find a way to make it work. Where to put the laptop, the pens, the sketches, the emotional support drink bottle… and the coffee! (The sign of a busy creative person is no less than three drinks on the go at once.) But a few smart hacks such as clever office furniture, cute storage and maybe even some motivational organisation trinkets, can turn even a tiny corner into a workspace that’s aesthetically pleasing and functional.

Here are ten ways to make a small studio work harder for you.

CLEAR THE SURFACE It’s actually incredible how you can clear desk clutter one week and the next week you’re back to moving a pile of miscellaneous papers every morning in order to find your keyboard. A tidy desk isn’t just for looks – it’s a mental refresh. If your workspace is covered in random notes, pens, hard drives or packets of chewing gum, try using a small desk with built-in drawers. Something like this oak desk with lots of drawers can hide the everyday essentials while leaving room to actually work.

TINY ITEMS NEED ORDER Hair ties, clips, sticky notes, novelty erasers in the shape of cakes… these little things multiply faster than you think. Desk drawers, like this blush-toned drawer set, steel toolboxes or small pen cups like this fun strawberry pen cup make it easy to grab what you need without digging through a pile. Plus, you can’t underestimate the tiny hit of dopamine you get from putting a cute pen back in its strawberry house.

THINK VERTICAL When the desk and floor is crowded, go up. Pegboards or wall-mounted storage let you pin inspiration, tools or small supplies in clear view. A desktop pegboard set is perfect for keeping notes and moodboard items visible without taking up desk space, and these colourful zigzag wall hooks are perfect to hang your bag to free up desk space.

COLLAPSIBLE STORAGE IS YOUR PAL Storage doesn’t have to be permanent. Collapsible containers can hold craft supplies, fabrics or seasonal items, then fold away when you don’t need them. This makes it easy to adapt your space as projects change. Kmart’s colourful small and large collapsible containers are an example, but anything flexible works.

GOING UP It’s not glamorous, but raising your laptop or monitor can save your neck (remedial massages are not cheap) and keep your workspace neat. Kmart’s range of computer organisation accessories, like this cute monitor stand like this wavy one also gives you hidden storage underneath for notebooks or tablets – you can’t do that with a pile of frankie magazines as your monitor stand! These colourful shelves also do wonders for keeping things neat and tidy at desk level.

CUT THE CORDS Not literally. But a mess of cables can reduce your workflow (and your vibe). Tuck them into a side cord organiser or clip them along your desk edge. Simple fixes, like this cord organiser, make your space feel calm and intentional.

MODULAR WORKS HARDER If your desk or shelves can shift around, you can quickly change your setup for different tasks. Fold-away desks, stackable drawers, or multi-use side tables mean one corner can be a work desk in the morning and a crafting table by night. Even the inside of your drawer can be organised differently with modular drawer organisers.

MAKE IT INSPIRING Add colour, texture, and things you actually love looking at. Whether it’s a handmade mug, a plant in a cute pot, a highly curated pinboard display or a little stuffed toy cheering you on, these little joys remind your brain that being creative is fun and joyful – even if you’re stuck on a tricky work problem.

VISIBLE (BUT NOT MESSY) Use desk drawers, jars or baskets to display your most-used tools. Everything has a home! This stops the frantic digging and makes your workflow smooth – you’ll spend less time searching and more time creating.

At the end of the day, your studio doesn’t have to be big or perfectly styled to support your creative brilliance – it just needs to work for you. A few thoughtful tweaks, some smart storage, and a sprinkle of personality can turn even the tiniest nook into a space that feels calm, cosy and genuinely inspiring. And when everything has its place, there’s more room for the good stuff: ideas, play and that spark that started you creating in the first place.

This article was produced in partnership with Kmart. For more ideas on how to keep your creative space tidy and organised, check out the Kmart website.