The best way for kids to make the most of learning from home is to make an environment actually conducive to getting schoolwork done. That means creating a homework station dedicated to studying.

Not sure where to start? We’re here to help!

Here are seven tips and tricks from the professional designers at Closets by Design to help you create the perfect study space for your children.

1. Pick a Quiet Study Space

The first step to creating the perfect work station is to find the perfect space in your home. Your children should have a nice, quiet space where they can focus on homework. You should seriously consider converting a part of your home into a dedicated study space, besides their bedroom.

By keeping your station outside the bedroom, it helps to create a greater separation between school and home. A bedroom should be a cozy and comforting space for children. Working and studying in the bedroom can create a disconnect with the brain associating the room as a relaxing space and this can actually impact sleep.

What’s most important is that the space is quiet and free from distractions. That means toys, games, and screens should be out of sight from where your kids study.

2. Find the Right Desk for Your Homework Station

Every good homework station needs an even better workspace. That’s why you need a desk where your kids can really crack the books. Custom desks and drawers from Closets by Design are a terrific way to convert any space into the perfect study sanctuary.

A home office organizational system helps you make the most out of the space in your home. You could also convert the space under your stairs or even your closet into a study nook! Consider upgrading your own home office into a school station for you and your children. Then you can set an example for how to study!

3. Use Cubbies to Contain Clutter and Minimize Distractions

One of the best ways to minimize distractions in your homework station is to clean up all the clutter. It’s hard to work in a messy room. Try using custom shelving and cubbies to clear out clutter and create a space where kids can focus on homework, not chores.

And your clutter control solution is great for more than just your study corner. It’s also a terrific way to keep clutter to a minimum and help your kids build good habits about cleaning their rooms.

4. Install Custom Shelves for Books, Folders, Notepads, and More

Now that you have clutter cleaned out, it’s time to organize all the school supplies your student needs to succeed. Depending on which subject your child is studying, they may have extra textbooks, workbooks, calculators, and more.

Add a dedicated space for books and school supplies. This way you your kids have everything they need at arm’s reach. You could use a handy chrome wire basket for extra papers and worksheets or add custom file drawers for books and study guides.

5. Add Dry-Erase Boards to Keeps Kids on Track

There’s nothing like a checklist to help keep children focused and on task. Hanging a dry-erase board is a fast and easy way for kids to keep track of what they’re working on. This way, they can work down the list and check off homework as they finish.

You can also combine your dry-erase board with a dry-erase calendar so kids can prioritize and plan their homework for the week. It may inspire you to start a dry-erase planner of your own!

6. Finish Your Homework Station with Some Inspiring Art

Just because it’s a homework station doesn’t mean it can’t be fun! The whole point is to help kids be more productive and have an easier time hitting the books. By making their study space a calming and comfortable area, you’re designing a place where kids actually want to spend time.

Consider adding a few pieces of art with inspirational quotes to help get those creative juices flowing. You could even add educational posters like a periodic table, maps, or multiplication tables.

7. Call Closets by Design for a Consultation on Today

Now that you’ve done your homework on your homework station, it’s time to put it together! The design experts at Closets by Design can help you design the perfect place for kids to study. Schedule your free in-home design consultation and see how you can transform your study space today!

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• Where is your backpack, it’s time to go!
• I can’t find my other shoe.
• Mom, she’s wearing my shirt!
• I missed the bus; can you drive me to school?
• My book report was right here last night…

With work, school and bus schedules, mornings can become hectic. Implementing some organization will help both you and your kids start the day on time, feeling prepared and confident.

Designing a Kid-friendly Bedroom

A kid-friendly room will make mornings go more smoothly when your kids are able to easily find everything they need to get ready for school. Two important considerations in designing a child’s room are age and whether or not it’s a shared room. Storage demands will certainly increase if more than one child is in the room, but the basic needs of a school-aged child’s room include:

• Place for backpacks, books and supplies
• A place to do homework
• Clothes storage such as a dresser and/or closet
• Space for toys, games, treasures, and sports equipment
• Possibly a pet cage or aquarium

Maximizing the room space goes hand in hand with closet design, since the more items that can be in the room on book shelves, in cabinets or drawers, in under-bed storage, stacking bins or trunks impacts what will need to be in the closet.

The bottom line is that you want everything accessible and organized for ease of use.

Tackling the Closet

An organized closet is the best way to speed up getting dressed in the morning. Most closets become a catch-all for clothes, toys, books, etc., so the first step to getting organized is to empty the closet. Discard clothes, shoes or uniforms that don’t fit or are never worn. Get rid of whatever is in the closet that could be somewhere else such as sports equipment to the garage, or toys and games to shelves in the bedroom. Design around only what needs to be in the closet and be realistic about how much the closet can hold. Here are some tips for organizing a kid’s closet for greatest utility:

• Install two-tier rods for more hanging space
• Separate school clothes by section or with color-coded hangers
• If a shared closet, each child can have their own hanger colors
• Open shelves are good for folded items like tee shirts and jeans, or shoes and purses
• Use labeled bins to hold smaller items like underwear, pajamas and socks
• Vertical shelves maximize space and less used/seasonal items can be stored up high
• Place shelving in the middle of a shared closet to give each child their own side for hanging
• Have a laundry bin in the closet to keep clothes off the floor
• Have hooks for “quick grab” items like jackets, pajamas and tomorrow’s outfit
• Over-the-door shoe hangers can provide pockets for shoes, jewelry or hair accessories

The Homework Headache

Homework is never a favorite with kids or parents, and it can become a source of tension in the home. Having a designated homework space reduces stress and encourages your child to focus on the task. Whether it’s a desk in their bedroom, or a counter top or table in the kitchen or family room, this space should be optimized for getting homework done as painlessly as possible.

• Quiet or low-traffic area to eliminate distractions
• Clutter-free, ample work space
• Comfortable chair or stool with proper height work area
• Sufficient lighting to avoid eyestrain and minimize computer screen glare
• Available supplies (paper, pens, ruler, scissors, glue) to facilitate getting homework done

Depending on the setup, this space could also double as storage for backpacks, books and other school necessities so they don’t get lost throughout the house. Eliminate the morning trauma of missing homework or misplaced permission slips.

Closets by Design can Maximize Your Space

If you need help getting your family organized for back to school success, Closets by Design will be happy to help. We are the experts at maximizing space and streamlining organizational processes. For everything from closet design to setting up a homework station, our talented designers can work with you to discover the best use of your space to meet the individual needs of your family.

Call 1-888-500-9215 or go online today at www.closetsbydesign.com to find a designer near you and schedule a free, in-home consultation and start getting organized!

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