Creative business ideas you can start for under £1,000
27 ideas
Creativity doesn't need a big budget to become a business. These 27 ideas all have startup costs of up to £1,000, so you can test your skills with limited risk.
Home studio painter taking commissions
Paint to order from a spare room: pet portraits, houses and landscapes for people who want something personal.
- £150-800
- Side hustle
- From home
Home-based sheet music publisher
Publish your own arrangements and teaching pieces as PDFs and print-on-demand copies from home.
- £200-1k
- Side hustle
- From home
Online artist selling prints and digital art
Sell prints, cards and downloadable artwork to buyers across the UK through an online shop.
- £100-800
- Side hustle
- Online
Music manager for local artists
Manage a few local bands or solo artists: find gigs, handle admin and promote them for a share of their income.
- £100-1k
- Side hustle
- From home
Online music promotion for independent artists
Help independent musicians reach listeners with release campaigns, playlist pitching, press outreach and social media.
- £50-800
- Side hustle
- Online
Online custom t-shirt shop (print on demand)
Sell your own designs or personalised tees online, with a print partner making and posting each order.
- £50-600
- Side hustle
- Online
Niche online newsletter or magazine
Publish a regular digital newsletter or magazine for a specialist audience and earn from subscriptions or sponsors.
- £100-800
- Side hustle
- Online
Online stitching lessons
Teach stitching over video to students anywhere, live or with recorded lessons.
- £100-800
- Side hustle
- Online
Drawing lessons from a home studio
Teach children and adults to draw in small one-to-one or group sessions in a spare room.
- £150-800
- Side hustle
- From home
Online drawing lessons
Teach drawing over video call to students at home, one-to-one or in small groups.
- £50-500
- Side hustle
- Online
Henna art workshops
Teach beginners henna design in small group sessions at community halls, studios or cafes.
- £150-800
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Online henna design classes
Teach henna patterns by live video to students at home, with a simple kit posted out.
- £100-600
- Side hustle
- Online
Calligraphy lessons from home
Teach small classes or one-to-one calligraphy lessons from a spare room or kitchen table.
- £150-800
- Side hustle
- From home
Online calligraphy classes
Teach calligraphy by live video class or recorded course to students anywhere.
- £100-1k
- Side hustle
- Online
Private ballroom lessons and first dances
Teach couples and individuals one-to-one, including wedding first dance coaching, at hired studios or their homes.
- £150-800
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Freelance website designer for local businesses
Design and build simple, good-looking websites for local traders and small firms from your spare room.
- £100-1k
- Side hustle
- From home
Online room design service
Offer fixed-price room plans by video call and email, so you can serve clients anywhere without travelling.
- £100-1k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online astrology readings and reports
Offer birth chart readings and written reports to clients by video call or email, from home.
- £50-800
- Side hustle
- Online
Astrology readings at fairs and parties
Offer short in-person chart readings at wellbeing fairs, markets, parties and corporate events.
- £200-1k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home knitting classes for beginners
Teach small groups or one-to-one knitting lessons at your kitchen table, with yarn and needles included.
- £100-500
- Side hustle
- From home
Online knitting lessons by video call
Teach knitting live over video to students anywhere, with a yarn kit posted to their door.
- £50-400
- Side hustle
- Online
Local photography workshops
Run beginner camera courses in a hired community room or café for local hobbyists.
- £200-1k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Online photography classes
Teach camera and phone photography over video call to students anywhere in the UK.
- £100-800
- Side hustle
- Online
Outdoor photo walk tuition
Lead small outdoor photo walks in parks, towns or coast, teaching camera skills as you go.
- £150-700
- Side hustle
- Out and about
About these ideas
Some are teaching-based, such as online drawing lessons, home knitting classes for beginners or outdoor photo walk tuition. Others are service-led, like copywriting alongside your day job or an online room design service. They suit people with a skill they already enjoy and can explain clearly to others. Before you choose, think about who would pay for it, how you'll reach them and how much time you can realistically give each week. Check whether you need insurance, a venue or any permissions, then start small and learn from your first customers.
More ideas
Questions
How do I choose a creative business to start on a small budget?
Start with a skill you already have and can show through examples. Check whether people will pay for it, how much similar services charge locally or online, and whether you can fit the work around your current commitments.
Do I need insurance to run a creative business in the UK?
It depends on what you do. If you teach in person, work in clients' homes or meet the public, public liability insurance may be worth checking. Online work may need different cover, so compare options and ask an insurer.
Do I need to register my creative business with HMRC?
Many people starting out work as sole traders, which usually involves registering for Self Assessment with HMRC. Whether and when you need to register can depend on your circumstances, so check the current GOV.UK guidance before you begin trading.