When it comes to homeschooling, creating a comfortable and distraction-free study spot is a great way to give students the formal and focused feel of a traditional classroom. Though you may think you lack the proper space for an at-home school room, all it takes is a fresh perspective and a bit of rearranging to create the perfect learning area for your little ones.
Choosing a Room and Readying the Space
Selecting a location is the first order of business when creating a productive workspace for your child. If available, an unoccupied guest room, finished attic, or any other unused room works best. However, if you have limited space, you might need to take a few measurements and rework your design to fit a school area into your current layout.
As you search for the best at-home schooling spot, try to tailor your study room ideas to suit your child’s needs. Design concepts for autistic classrooms and sensory-friendly study spaces, such as soft lighting and muted color schemes, can help keep students focused during lessons. Try to keep this in mind as you pick out and shape your in-house classroom.
Bedrooms
Bedrooms are one of the most common places to study, especially for teens. Since kids can close the door on distractions happening in other parts of the home, their bedroom provides a quiet and productive learning space. However, it’s also important to be mindful of potential distractions within the room, such as televisions or gaming consoles.
As you consider ideas for a desk setup, think about how you can take advantage of empty space. Place a work table, task lamp, and storage drawers beside your student’s dresser to create a designated homework area. If possible, free up a corner for a cozy reading nook with bookshelves and comfy pillows where they can work through their assigned reading lists.
Kitchens
Though it may seem like an unusual choice for at-home learning, the kitchen is an excellent impromptu classroom. This is the ideal place to try out different homeschool teaching ideas like life skills lessons and messy science experiments. A low counter or an island with stools for seating is all you really need for your child’s workspace.
Living Rooms
Though the living room is often the most active room of the home, an empty corner or wall may be the only space available. If you must use this busy place for your homeschool room setup, help kids tune out the TV and chit-chat by sectioning off their work area with a few DIY room dividers to lower the risk of distraction and help them concentrate.
Closets
If you don’t have the space to spare anywhere else, it might be time to break out the tools to set up a closet workstation. Clear out the coats or shift your kid’s clothes to the side to create a compact but functional work area. With a small desk, a comfy chair, and a few wall shelves, you can turn a simple storage space into the perfect study nook.
Patios and Porches
For those who live in a warmer climate, consider having class outdoors. Gazebos, patios, and decks can double as open-air classrooms where kids can soak up the sunshine while they learn. Use your outdoor seating as a setting for roundtable discussions about class topics, or let students venture into the backyard for P.E. or an educational nature walk.
If you have an enclosed sunporch, children can still enjoy outdoor learning during the colder months. Create a classroom with some work tables and desk chairs for a quiet and relaxing learning space that helps kids stay focused. The windows provide plenty of natural light, though you can always lower the blinds or close the curtains to shut out distractions.
Staying Organized
Once you’ve chosen a space, it’s time to give it a practical schoolhouse vibe. Try out a few of the following classroom organization ideas to ensure your kids have plenty of supplies and that class activities run smoothly.
- Create an Information Station
- Decorate a colorful bulletin board or paint a chalkboard wall where you can post class schedules, due dates, and fun upcoming activities to keep students on track.
- Color Code Your Lessons
- Choose specific color containers for each subject and fill them with all the appropriate supplies for that class. This makes for an easy grab-and-go transition when switching topics.
- Establish Multiple Work Areas
- For larger learning spaces, designate a spot for each area of study. Set up a math corner with multiplication tables and formulas, then place a small table in another corner with a mini-library for Language Arts. You can also include a technology table with computers or tablets for online assignments.
- Create a Command Center
- Provide your kids with easy access to all the things they need for school. Use a file cabinet, bookcase, or storage cubbies for important texts and papers. You can also give each child their own shelf for class materials.
Designing a study room that feels more like a traditional classroom can help your kids adjust to learning from home. Structured spaces and schedules give students clear expectations and goals, much like a face-to-face classroom. Use some of these tips in your at-home school room to create an atmosphere that keeps your child focused and ready to learn.
Find Your Niche
However limited your space may be, education can happen anywhere with the right tools and some imagination. Get creative with your layout, and don’t be afraid to experiment with organizational techniques. The transition to homeschooling can be a tough one, but you and your kids will be set to succeed once you find the right approach.
About the author
Hazel Bennett is a freelance writer and blogger. She has a degree in communications and lives in Northeastern Ohio. Hazel loves writing about numerous topics and showcasing her expertise with words.