Creative business ideas you can run from your own premises
69 ideas
These 70 creative ideas all work best from a dedicated space of your own, whether that is a studio, workshop or small unit. They suit people with a craft or skill who want clients to come to them, or who need room for equipment, materials and stock.
Silver repairs and commissions studio
Repair, resize and remake silver jewellery and objects for local customers from a small rented studio or unit.
- £4k-15k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Tailoring shop and fitting studio
Open a small shop offering bespoke clothing and alterations to walk-in and regular customers.
- £5k-25k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Glass blower in a shared studio
Make hand-blown vessels and art glass using hired bench time at a shared hot glass studio, and sell at fairs and online.
- £500-3k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Small art gallery and dealership
Run a small shop or gallery space selling original art to local collectors and passing visitors.
- £5k-25k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Music producer with a rented studio room
Rent a studio room and offer recording, production and rehearsal-to-record sessions.
- £3k-15k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Small Aboriginal art gallery with a shop front
Open a small gallery showing Aboriginal art, with exhibitions, framing and a loyal collector list.
- £12k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small independent art gallery
Open a small shop-front gallery showing and selling local artists, with a rolling programme of exhibitions.
- £8k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small content studio for brands
Run a small team producing video, audio and written content for ongoing brand clients.
- £5k-25k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Commercial recording studio unit
Rent a unit and fit out a studio for full bands, producers and businesses to book by the day.
- £15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Bespoke atelier with a fitting room
Open a small made-to-measure atelier with a fitting room, serving private clients and working with a seamstress or two.
- £12k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Full-time sculptor for public and corporate work
Rent a studio and bid for larger commissions from councils, developers, businesses and private clients.
- £3k-15k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small hire studio for commercial shoots
Rent a small unit and offer portraits, headshots and commercial shoots, plus studio hire to other creatives.
- £3k-15k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small video production studio
Run a small studio with a team of freelancers making corporate, training and advert videos.
- £8k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Guitar and violin repair and setup
Repair, restring and set up guitars, violins and other stringed instruments from a small workshop or unit.
- £1.5k-7k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Stained glass commissions and repairs
Run a workshop making bespoke panels and repairing old windows for homes, churches and businesses.
- £3k-15k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Bespoke suit tailor with a small studio
Make suits, jackets and trousers to measure for men from a small studio or unit.
- £4k-20k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Photography studio in rented premises
Run a dedicated studio unit where clients book sessions, and hire it out to other photographers.
- £4k-15k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Glass blower with your own studio
Set up your own hot glass workshop to make art pieces, commissions and stock for galleries, and perhaps teach short sessions.
- £30k-90k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Workwear and club embroidery shop
Run a small unit with multi-head machines producing branded workwear and kit for local businesses and clubs.
- £20k-90k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small film and video studio
Run a rented studio unit where you produce films and hire the space to other creators and brands.
- £10k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Instrument hire for schools and bands
Supply class sets and larger instruments to schools, music groups and bands from a small unit with a delivery service.
- £8k-35k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Etched glass for shops and businesses
Supply etched window frosting, door panels, signage and branded glassware to local trade customers.
- £4k-20k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Bespoke tailoring and alterations studio
Run a small shop or studio making made-to-measure suits and garments, with alterations paying the bills.
- £4k-18k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Model making studio with laser and 3D printing
Rent a small unit, add a laser cutter and 3D printers, and make detailed models for architects and developers full time.
- £8k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
About these ideas
You could start with a bespoke tailoring and alterations studio, a workshop jewellery maker for shops and brands, or an own portfolio and headshot studio. Before anything else, work out how much space you really need and what it will cost each month, including rent, rates, insurance and utilities. Check the lease terms, whether the property's permitted use suits your trade, and what permissions or licences might apply. Visit a few spaces and consider starting small, with a shared or short-term option, before committing long term.
More ideas
- Small animation studio for brands and broadcasters
- Stocked craft exporter selling at trade fairs
- Vehicle and shopfront graphics studio
- Painting studio with classes and rentable desks
- Full-time sculptor in a rented studio
- Sign and vehicle graphics workshop
- Full-time modelling agency with an office
- Small advertising agency with a studio
- Portrait studio on local premises
- Band rehearsal studio in a small unit
- Small print and mailing studio
- Custom t-shirt print studio in a small unit
- Handmade glass neon sign workshop
- Invitation printing studio with a small unit
- Specialist antique doll restoration studio
- Costume hire and sales unit
- Glass awards and trophy engraver
- Photo print shop with walk-in service
- Workshop jewellery maker for shops and brands
- Bookbinding workshop for trade and institutions
- Own portfolio and headshot studio
- Stitching workshops in hired venues
- Taxidermy studio and commissions
- Self-employed tattooist renting a studio chair
- Drawing classes in a hired local venue
- Small interior design studio
- Bespoke and commission jewellery designer
- Airbrush and modelling supplies shop
- Model design studio in a small unit
- Pottery studio with wheels and weekly classes
- Ballet school with your own studio
- Own small tattoo studio
- Product design studio with prototype workshop
- Community art studio with classes and hire
- Small branding agency with strategy and design
- Small design agency with monthly retainer clients
- Art school in a rented studio
- Private appointment-only tattoo studio
- Craft school in a small rented studio
- Flamenco classes in a hired hall
- Sewing school in a small rented studio
- Tattoo and piercing shop with a small team
- Conservation studio for collectors and galleries
- Flamenco school with its own studio
- Set design and build workshop
Questions
Do I need commercial premises for a creative business?
Not always. Some trades can start from a spare room or shared studio. Check whether your equipment, noise, client visits or materials suit a home setting, and what your landlord, lender or local council might require before deciding.
What costs should I check before renting a studio or unit?
Look beyond the rent. Ask about business rates, service charges, deposits, utilities, insurance, repairs and lease length. It is worth comparing several spaces and checking whether a break clause or short-term agreement is available.
Might I need permissions to use premises for my business?
Possibly. Check the property's permitted use, any planning requirements, lease restrictions, and rules for your specific trade, such as health and safety or licensing. Your local council and landlord are sensible first contacts.