Dungeon Art Studio - Tips for Painting in the Basement

Jun 7

My art studio is in my home, which is ideal for me as someone who works full-time remotely and as a mother to a young child. The part that could be better is that my art studio must be in the basement. The rest of the house has shared spaces and bedrooms, so this is the only free space available to me that also provides privacy. Privacy isn't even that important to me; it's the ability to make and leave a mess while working on a body of work.

Do you also use your basement as an art studio? Are you jealous of the social media-ready, bright, and breezy art studios you see on other accounts?

It’s true, a basement studio can sometimes feel a bit gloomy. However, by investing some time and effort into creating a clean, organized, and well-lit space, you can transform it into a habitable and healthy environment that enhances your creativity and well-being.

7 TIPS FOR HAVING A BASEMENT ART STUDIO

Don’t do it; DO NOT use your basement as an art studio if you can avoid it! If you can, prioritize yourself in your own space and use an area on the first or second floors with lovely lighting and open windows.
Get a quality dehumidifier big enough for your space. You will benefit from it in many ways. Your paint will dry faster, you won’t have to smell mildew and mold, and if you work on paper, your materials will last longer.
Similarly, get a great air filter. Extra points for finding one that is good for cleaning up dust rather than just germs.
If you have pets, there is a temptation to set up for the kitty litter box in the basement, to keep the unpleasantness away. Don’t do it! You will be down there! Also, if it’s in your workspace, you then become solely responsible for cleaning it.
Do let your cat and dog visit you in your basement studio. As long as you clean your materials, letting the cat or dog visit will benefit you. No matter how finished your basement is, there is the potential for bugs and mice. Having pets visit will be a deterrent.
Your laundry room will likely be down there with you. If that’s the case, be careful not to contaminate the clothing-cleaning area and sink with your paints or other hard-to-clean supplies.
I cannot overstate how worth it is to invest in quality lighting. Even though you are working in a cave with no natural light, there are ways to fix it with artificial lighting that can fake it. It will be good for your mental health and artwork!