How To Create The Right Homework Space

In this article, we look at setting kids up for a successful school term ahead with a fun and functional study space to call their own.

With kids heading back into a busy school routine, creating an inspiring space for your little one to learn, play and grow is more important than ever. Whether you’re starting from scratch or hoping to improve an existing space, Nahel Selo, Creative Director of the interior label Sedar Global, gives his advice on creating a lovely and affordable homework space that’s quiet for focus, colourful for inspiration and organised to reduce distractions.

UTILISE NATURAL LIGHT

Lighting is essential to help kids concentrate, not only for homework but also for hobbies, such as drawing or crafts and adequate natural light is especially important for a good mood. Selo advises us to “position desk spaces near the window and avoid facing a wall if this is an option. Plenty of sunlight can help kids feel positive, while the changing view outside the window allows their brain to take a break between tasks, without leaving the study space. Use sheer fabrics for windows in darker spaces and invest in a table lamp to ensure the desk is well illuminated.”

Selo adds “If you are creating a homework space within a bedroom space, it can be useful to have black out curtains or blinds so kids still get a good night’s sleep and combine them with a second layer of roman or slatted blinds to manage lighting during the day”.

INSPIRE POSITIVITY

The key to a good work space for kids is to make it an enjoyable and uplifting space to be in. Inspire creativity and the inclination to enjoy homework by introducing interiors proven to change the way we concentrate and feel. Nahel Selo tells us “yellow is known to boost creativity and attention, orange can improve alertness, greens and purples are peaceful and calm, whereas browns and warm neutral tones can reduce feelings of fatigue and make kids feel more secure.” With this in mind, pick colours suited to your child’s unique personality and needs, creating a healthy space that encourages them to do their best. One further idea to set a happy tone is to install a strip of chalkboard, or daub some chalkboard paint across part of a wall. This fun chalkboard can be a space for kids to let off steam between homework tasks by doodling and getting artistic, or even used as a reward chart for little ones. Alternatively, it can be helpful for older children as an organiser panel, somewhere to write that week’s homework assignments, after school activities and other important items to remember. This encourages good planning and avoids unnecessary stress.

MAKE IT MULTIFUNCTIONAL

Nobody likes to try and study in a room overrun with toys and general clutter. However, a child’s homework space may need to serve multiple purposes - playroom, study, sanctuary and storage space. A great tip is to use floating shelves or create more floor space with a raised bed, leaving room underneath for a desk or storage where toys can be put away before study time. The Creative Director at Sedar says “to create a space that is not overwhelmed with plastic boxes and unsightly storage containers, add an aesthetic touch to make your storage solutions attractive by covering boxes or pull out storage drawers with interesting wallpaper or patterned fabrics”.

BUILD A STUDY NOOK

Limited for space? Why not transform an awkward under-the-stairs corner into a study space with wall-mounted shelves, a small organisational cork board or black board, a filing cabinet and a little desk. Or, if you have siblings working in one space, use a large bookcase in the middle with each desk either side. This way each child can work privately. Using bookcases as a divider is not only great for creating an individual area for study but has the added benefit of helping kids organise their items!

DESIGN A READING CORNER

The ideal kids’ homework space should also function as a space for quiet contemplation and reading. Selo suggests if you are using a room that is also designed for playtime, it may be a good idea to define these different spaces. He says “make reading more fun by introducing a set reading area, use bean bags, hanging chairs or have an array of throw pillows on the floor for a playful place to read.” He also suggests using wide window ledges to their full capacity. “A window seat is another design tip that provides a great sense of definition to spaces that are used for work and play. Cover the seat with throw pillows, blankets etc. and suddenly you have created a cosy reading seat”. With all of these tips at your disposal, you should be able to create a dedicated space for your little one to focus, learn and succeed over the coming school year.