How to design a productive at-home learning area for kids

Whether your child is home-schooled or they come home with piles of school projects to complete when the school bell rings, creating an at-home learning area can help make their schooling experience comfortable and productive. Fortunately, you don’t need a big house to find an area that can be transformed into a workspace that your child will look forward to studying in. These simple tips from the trusted design team at Ashley HomeStore in Tucson show how easy creating a productive at-home learning area for your child can be.

Choose the right spot

The first step in designing the ultimate home-school area is to choose an appropriate location. If you have a spare bedroom that your family isn’t currently using or a home office space, this problem will be easy to solve. If not, however, you may have to use a little creativity and rearrange your home to create a learning area that is both functional and attractive. One option that could work in most homes is utilizing a small part of a large room, such as a corner of your living room or dining room. No matter what room or space you choose, be sure that it’s somewhere that is quiet, organized and away from distractions to help your child stay focused. 

Get rid of clutter

If your home is filled with items that you don’t need, finding an area to create an at-home learning space will be difficult. Getting rid of clothes your family no longer wears, toys your kids don’t play with anymore and home decor that isn’t adding to the overall aesthetic of your home can help make your living spaces feel larger and brighter while providing extra room for your child to knock out their homework. You may surprise yourself by cleaning an area of your home that you never considered as a home-school space before, such as a closet or a corner of your kid’s bedroom.

Include the essentials

While you don’t need a lot of space to design a learning area in your home that will help your child stay productive, there are a few elements that are essential to creating any successful home-school space, including:

• A desk that is big enough for them to work, study and create on.
• A chair that is comfortable enough to sit in for long periods of time.
• A table or floor lamp to ensure the space is adequately illuminated. 

If you’re tempted to add more to the area, ask yourself if it contributes to the function of the space. If the answer is “no,” resist the temptation to bring it in. Remember, using a minimal amount of items to decorate your child’s study area will help it feel bright and provide fewer distractions. 

Keep it functional

When the time comes for your child to sit down at their desk to work on schoolwork, there’s nothing worse than having them get up to look for a pen or other supplies. To prevent this from happening, put all of your kid’s school supplies in a spot that is easy to find and access. Pens, paper, art supplies, books and anything else that they might need should be stored somewhere that is convenient and labeled clearly to make putting it away a no-brainer. This small step will reduce the chance that your child gets up to find their school supplies and doesn’t find their way back to their desk all afternoon.

Stay organized

The key to a successful at-home learning area is to help your child stay as organized as possible. To keep their school supplies organized, here are some helpful tips.

• Separate school supplies from other belongings in your home. Combining school books with other books you own, for instance, could mean more wasted time looking for a certain item when your child needs it.
• Make sure every item has a “home,” including bins, drawers or cabinets, to prevent their workspace from getting cluttered or items from getting misplaced. 
• Use trendy wicker baskets to complement your home’s existing decor and enhance the overall style of the space.

Make it kid-friendly

Even though your child’s home-school area will be designed primarily with productivity and functionality in mind, it should still be a space where your kid feels comfortable and their personality shines. Accessories that are playful and reflect their unique taste can help you do just that. Add details that your child will appreciate, such as their favorite color in the decor, a comfy throw pillow for their chair and cheerful artwork that will help brighten the space up. 

Use vertical space

Bulky items and furniture such as bookshelves can make the space feel small, dark and closed in. To give the space an airy vibe and free up space to walk freely, consider using vertical wall space to store and display their school supplies. Floating shelves, baskets and whiteboards can make visually appealing and practical additions to the walls of your child’s at-home learning space. 

Create the ideal space with Ashley HomeStore

When your child has a space specifically designed for them to focus on their studies, they’ll be able to be creative, stay focused and accomplish more in less time. The friendly design team at Ashley HomeStore can help you create the ultimate learning area right in your own home, regardless of your space, budget or style preferences. Schedule an in-store appointment or stop by our convenient showroom location to browse our large selection of desks, chairs, light fixtures and more. You won’t believe how easy creating a home study space can be!