Things That Make Sense in My Pottery Studio
"Your studio is your brain."
One of my first ceramics teachers said that to me in college, and it stuck. If your space feels chaotic, cluttered, or hard to move in, it’s a lot harder to think clearly, create freely, and actually enjoy the process.
When I built my new pottery studio (a small 185 sq ft space in my old Maine barn), I wanted it to feel calm and beautiful.
So everything I added had to pass one simple test:
Does this make my life easier?
Here are the things that just… make sense in my pottery studio.
1. Ware Boards That Fit My Shelving
Instead of forcing random boards onto my shelves, I made custom ware boards sized specifically for my shelving. That means every single piece I make can move in and out smoothly.... no awkward angling, no wasted space.
I made them using cement board (HardieBacker) from the hardware store with:
- A T-square
- A pencil
- A box cutter with a fresh blade
I measured my shelves and left about an inch of wiggle room on each side so even full boards slide in/out easily.
It may seem small, but this is a game changer.
2. Glaze Buckets on Casters (No Back Strain)
I keep all my 5-gallon glaze buckets on low rolling plant caddies.
This means I can move them around fairly easily instead of lifting and straining (which matters a lot when you’re 4’11”).
They’re minimal, don’t take up extra space, and make the whole studio feel more fluid. I can rearrange or clean without it becoming a whole ordeal.
3. A Parts Washer Instead of Plumbing
My studio is in an 1800s barn in Maine, and running plumbing out there didn’t make sense financially or practically.
So instead, I use a parts washer as my sink.
It recirculates water, which means:
- No risk to a plumbing system
- Less water waste
- Easy cleanup
I love the simplicity of it.
In the Spring and Summer, I can reuse the water for plants. It’s not perfect (mine started rusting within a month), and I wish I had bought a nicer one, but as a flexible, lower-cost solution it works.
4. A Consistent Color Palette
As someone who struggles with feeling like my brain is freighted with ideas and bouncing all around, a calm simple color palette make life that much better.
I chose:
- Cream
- Warm wood tones
- Soft neutrals
I try to keep everything in my studio stays within that world: baskets, shelves, buckets, storage. I even considered spray painting my mopping system because it was blue and distracting. I ended up giving it a home on a very low shelf where it's well hidden so no paint needed. But I will go to great lengths to hide or cover anything that doesn't match this color palette. Also, visual space always feels restful to me, so I get rid of anything unnecessary. Tools I don't use get donated to the local pottery studio instead of piling up in the corners.
The result is a space that feels:
- Calm
- Spacious
- Easy on the eyes
When there’s less visual noise, there’s more room to think.
Fewer colors = more peace.
5. An Espresso Machine
I keep a little espresso machine in my studio because it makes the experience of working feel special.
Making a cup of coffee slows me down. It brings me into the moment. It helps me romanticize my regular workdays.... and if there's anything I've learned, it's that savoring the little moments is what creates a beautiful life.
6. Outlets Exactly Where I Need Them
If you’re ever setting up a studio from scratch, do this.
I added:
- Lots of outlets
- On every wall
- Some placed higher up at bench height
In my first studio which was really a jewelry studio, that pottery took over, there were only two outlets and I was constantly fighting my way through a web of 17 tangles cords just to plug something in. Every time I would be down there I felt like Frodo fighting my way through Shelob's slimy webbed lair. I don't know why but that tapped a surprising amount of rage.
7. More Shelving Than I Thought I Needed
So many potter says this, and they’re right:
You need more shelving than you think.
I use simple wooden shelving from IKEA (adjustable, natural finish), and I love that:
- Everything matches
- It’s flexible
- It keeps things off the floor
After reading "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up" (which I'd highly recommend) I leaned into vertical storage as much as possible, which is an awesome way to make your space more efficient, and makes a small space feel bigger.
8. Plaster Slabs That Fit My Shelves (for Reclaim)
Instead of letting reclaim take over my studio, I designed it to fit into my system. I measured the shelves and searched high and low for a plastic bin that would be a mold for the slabs. I watched Youtubes on how to do it and after some initial inept flopping about and failure, I made some nice custom plaster slabs sized to fit neatly onto my shelves.
Now I can reclaim clay without:
- Losing space
- Creating visual clutter
- Interrupting my workflow
It’s all integrated... yea baby!
Want My Exact Studio Setup List?
If you’re building or refining your own creative space, I put together a simple guide with the exact tools, materials, and setup details I use in my studio.
→ Get the “Pottery Studio That Makes Sense” list here