How would you set up your hobby area if you were starting again?

[mini_painting_mike]

In a few months time I am moving house, and I am going to start my hobby area all over again. I will have a bit more space (see my current set up below) but will still be limited to a corner/wall in a room.

 

I want to leave space in my new set up for an air brushing booth (that's something I want to get into) but otherwise it's a prerry blank canvas.

 

What ideas do you guys have? What would you do?

[calgar101]

I'd have a larger desk, possibly a corner desk to give you more work space so to speak. Some drawers for keeping bits in? 

[Blissful Brushes]

Corner desk with drawers would be what I’d go for. One side for painting - you can put wet pallette etc on your left/right and a little booth for the airbrush other side with your chopping board. If it’s just a corner and you can maximise it look at more vertical storage perhaps? You can maximise a space if you go full Ikea mode. If you’re getting a compressor you’ll want that on the floor/bottom shelf, mine at any rate bounces like a bugger

Edited January 14 by Blissful Brushes

[mini_painting_mike]

These are good ideas - thanks all

[Firedrake Cordova]

I'd suggest drawers for long-term storage/packing away.

 

Also something for temporary brush storage - you could for example use a pencil tray which will stop the brushes rolling around/suicide diving off the desk bristle first. I'm not sure how you're drying your brushes - you can get a brush drier from an art store that will allow you to hang them bristles-down (or just leave them laying on your desk).

 

You can never have too much good-quality light or space.

 

Outside can make a very good airbrush booth, and not having to worry about overspray or ventilation (weather depending).

Edited January 15 by Firedrake Cordova

[Terminatorinhell]

To be honest, something like the guy from ebay miniatures rescue lol. He. Has a whole set up with a huge table, walls lined with tool boxes of models, shelves etc. Lots of counter space. 

[mini_painting_mike]

On 1/15/2026 at 10:15 AM, Firedrake Cordova said:

I'd suggest drawers for long-term storage/packing away.

 

Also something for temporary brush storage - you could for example use a pencil tray which will stop the brushes rolling around/suicide diving off the desk bristle first. I'm not sure how you're drying your brushes - you can get a brush drier from an art store that will allow you to hang them bristles-down (or just leave them laying on your desk).

 

You can never have too much good-quality light or space.

 

Outside can make a very good airbrush booth, and not having to worry about overspray or ventilation (weather depending).

A couple of really useful things here, thank you! Brush drier is something I'd never heard of before, and drawers are something I've not used before for storage in a hobby desk. Good idea! Thanks!

14 hours ago, Terminatorinhell said:

To be honest, something like the guy from ebay miniatures rescue lol. He. Has a whole set up with a huge table, walls lined with tool boxes of models, shelves etc. Lots of counter space. 

Ah that's the dream! 

 

Unfortunately I need to be realistic about the limitations I'll have with a young family! I'll have a bit more space in my new home, but not that much more space I'm afraid!

[Firedrake Cordova]

2 hours ago, mini_painting_mike said:

Brush drier is something I'd never heard of before

Ah ... they can be quite useful for saving on space, or if you need to dangle the brush into something (e.g. cleaner). I think a lot of art supply stores should have something like this, which looks a lot like the one I've got.