I'm an artist at heart, performer and songwriter, and a lover of all things creatively & artistically beautiful. In this little corner of the internet, we talk about how to live an artistic lifestyle, fit with the tools, techniques, tips, and community. Get comfy and cozy.
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Every time you walk into your creative space, it drains your energy instead of lighting you up.
The clutter, the harsh lighting, the complete lack of inspiration… it’s like your environment is actively working against your creativity.
But somehow, fixing it feels like this massive, expensive project that you’ll get to “someday” (aka never).
But here’s the thing, sweet friend — creating that dreamy aesthetic you’ve been pinning doesn’t require a complete renovation or an endless budget!
Think of your artist studio aesthetic as a canvas waiting to be transformed, one thoughtful detail at a time. With just some intentional choices and a sprinkle of creativity, you can actually craft a cozy creative space that feels like it was plucked straight from your Pinterest board.
…All without breaking the bank.
The thing is, aesthetic room decor on a budget is all about creating intention. In 2020 I became super into interior design and started seeing the similarities it had with me as an artist.
We all need dreamy room aesthetic ideas that’ll actually energize our creativity instead of deplete it. ✨
Before you start transforming your space into your own dreamy aesthetic haven, let’s get clear on what actually makes your creative heart sing.
A dreamy aesthetic in interior design combines soft, ethereal elements that create a peaceful, otherworldly atmosphere.
But on top of that basic theme, how would you add your own personality to it?
Themes and styles are just a baseline understanding. Once you know them, you can expand the box and make your own dreamy aesthetic style. Here are some different ways you could create your own definition of “dreamy” in your space:
Just like in your art, once you know the rules of dreamy, you’ll know how you want to break them.
🧺 Follow your dreams beyond your home → The Law of Attraction Creative Process: How to Manifest Your Magic
Close your eyes for a moment and imagine yourself in your perfect creative space.
BTW, when I say “creative space,” it could be any part of your home. After all, I fully believe that as a creative, your entire home should give you the feeling of wanting to create.
Aside from the dreamy themes, what are some aesthetic elements that would make you feel happy and cozy?
Your core aesthetic elements are the non-negotiables that make you feel inspired and alive in a space, no matter what the theme is.
They might include 👇
Take some time to really feel into what resonates with you. There’s no wrong answer here — your space should reflect those images you see on Pinterest that make your heart flutter.
In fact, let’s dive a little deeper into that last bullet point: inspirational elements.
Creating a mood board helps you see patterns in what you’re drawn to – whether that’s whimsical home decor or ethereal room design elements — and makes decision-making so much easier when you’re shopping or decorating.
This is great if you’re finding you’re having a hard time answering those questions above. All you need to do is make a Pinterest board, name it something like “Creative Space” (or heck, why not name the room you’re designing?!) and start typing in some keywords in Pinterest that you know you want to get inspiration from.
Or, if you already have some images you’ve pinned in the past to other boards, pin those to this new board and start seeing what Pinterest recommends to you.
Don’t worry too much about anything other than are pictures you’re finding giving you a flutter feeling in your heart? In Marie Kondo’s words, she’d ask if it “sparks joy.”
Once you’ve pinned about 20 images, start seeing the patterns in it. What themes are you seeing? What part of each image do you like and don’t like?
It’s all about finding patterns — then, you’ll find what your real “dreamy aesthetic” feels like.
✨ You might also like: The *How-To* on How to Live a Life of Your Own
You’ll want to know the foundational elements of a dreamy space so you can define what yours will look and feel like. Let’s break down some simple characteristics.
Lighting is deeply emotional and sets the entire mood of your creative sanctuary.
There are 3 different types of lighting: ambient, task, and accent. Ideally, you’ll also have natural lighting from windows and/or skylights.
🔅 Get even more inspired about home design: 7 Quotes About Interior Design to Inspire Your Home Studio
Plant friends bring such beautiful life and energy to your space, and they don’t have to strain your artist budget!
If you want some live plant friends, pothos or snake plants thrive even when you’re lost in your creative process and might forget to water them for a bit. 😉
You could also ask some of your friends for propagated cuttings to save money and add a cute little story to your space.
If you don’t want live plants, you can find some flower bouquets at Trader Joe’s, hang them upside down for a week or so, and voila! Put them in a vase and they look GORG with not needing any maintenance! (Just make sure these aren’t toxic to pets if you have them!)
📎 Okay, but let’s *also* talk about productivity: Task Batching: The Secret For Artists Who Want to Do It All
Pesky product labels disrupt your carefully curated aesthetic. ✨
Marie Kondo speaks so beautifully about intentional organization, reminding us that our space should spark joy in every detail. And as artists, we can take this wisdom even further by turning organization into its own art form!
Here are some magical ways to transform your supplies without having to spend hundreds of $$$s on new, fancy organizational tools:
Yes, organization is about function, but it’s also about creating an environment that inspires your creativity the moment you walk in. When your supplies look beautiful, even reaching for them becomes part of your artistic practice!
Your creative space should feel like a warm hug every time you enter it. 🤗
Some things you can throw into the mix if you haven’t already for instant cozy-fication:
Now that you’ve found your own personal dreamy aesthetic, how can we put this into action without making our wallets cry? I’ll tell you exactly how.
Some of my favorite pieces in my creative space came from thrift stores, flea markets, and Facebook Marketplace.
When you’re looking for pieces in your home, ask yourself “does this feel dreamy?” TBH, a lot of times it won’t, because it’s vintage or might need a little bit of love.
When you’re looking for pieces, look at them for their shape and style (something you can’t change) and not for their color (something you usually can change by staining or painting).
I’ve thrifted SO MANY THINGS, including:
And so much more.
Remember, imperfection adds character. 🙌 That slightly worn wooden desk might be exactly what your space needs to feel lived-in and inspiring.
You’re an artist – use those creative skills to transform your space into a dreamy aesthetic wonderland! Once you’ve thrifted something (or maybe even gotten it from a friend or family member), you can DIY it yourself to make it dreamier.
Some ideas to align with dreaminess:
The best part about DIY-ing your decor is that it perfectly matches your vision because you created it yourself!
Sometimes the biggest transformation comes from simply seeing your space differently!
If you haven’t followed Feng Shui principles before, perhaps give your space a little “audit” and see if anything needs to be shifted around.
Some basic principles of Feng Shui (specifically in a creative space):
Don’t underestimate the power of a good rearrange. It can completely change how you feel in your space, especially if you’re adhering to Feng Shui!
Paint is truly magical.
It’s relatively inexpensive and can transform a space instantly!
I think we all have a fear about paint being permanent, but you can always paint over paint! Think about painting that dreamy color you pinned on Pinterest, updating some tired furniture with some fresh paint, or even finding some fun peel-and-stick wallpaper to add some character to your space. Spoonflower and Love vs. Design are great brands!
If you’re renting, talk to your landlord about painting – many are open to it if you’re willing to paint back when you leave. Or focus on painting furniture and accessories instead!
Remember, creating your dreamy aesthetic space is a journey, not a destination. Start small, focus on what truly inspires you, and let your space evolve as you do.
Whether you’re drawn to affordable aesthetic decorating ideas or more elaborate designs, the most important thing is that it feels like you and supports your creative practice.
Want more inspiration for creating a dreamy aesthetic life? Subscribe to my YouTube channel for weekly videos on artist lifestyle tips, creative space tours, and so much more. Let’s make magic together! ✨
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Creative lifestyle
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I'm an artist at heart, performer and songwriter, and a lover of all things creatively & artistically beautiful. In this little corner of the internet, we talk about how to live an artistic lifestyle, fit with the tools, techniques, tips, and community. Get comfy and cozy.
BACK TO THE BLOG
I'll pass you little notes full of my latest musings, tips & fav creative tools for being your best artist.