Ready to design a homework spot that inspires? Here are four tips to set up for a productive school year.
With summer coming to a close, we’re back to the season of early mornings, school buses, backpacks, and busy schedules. As your family prepares for the academic year, now is the perfect time to create a productive study space that keeps your kitchen counter free from overflowing homework and school supplies.
Here are four tips for setting up an inspiring study area that blends comfort, functionality, and personality to boost focus and motivation.
1. Create a comfortable workspace
After a long day in the classroom, the last thing your child needs is an uncomfortable study environment.
To maximize comfort while prioritizing work efficiency, invest in a cushy chair with good back support. Add a cozy throw blanket as cooler weather approaches. Up the ambiance with a calming scented candle and soft music – like songs from minimalist, classical, piano, or low-fi genres – to maintain focus, enhance relaxation, and avoid distraction.
2. Stock up on supplies
Fill desk drawers with pencils, pens, markers, sticky notes, paper, flashcards, and notebooks. This can make for interactive note taking, and will help ease stress when it comes to last-minute projects and assignments. Keep school supplies organized with things like drawers, bins, pencil holders, and a file organizer.
It’s no surprise that technology has become increasingly prominent in the classroom. According to a 2023 survey from ZipDo, 89% of K-12 teachers incorporate educational technology in their classrooms daily. Therefore, consider making technology more efficient in the study space. This could include adding extra chargers, headphones, extension cords, a printer, or even a computer monitor to make switching between tabs seamless, especially when studying for a big test.
3. Ensure good lighting
Good lighting is essential to productivity as well as mood. Ensure your child’s study space is well-lit to help them stay focused and energized while completing their homework. Place the desk by a window for natural light and add a lamp nearby to brighten the area at night.
Consider color-changing lightbulbs that easily adjust from bright white light, which is energizing and enhances focus, to warmer, yellow-toned light, which creates a relaxing atmosphere for winding down after study sessions.
4. Personalize the space
A designated study area that reflects your child’s personality can make a significant difference in their productivity and contentment. Make it an enjoyable place they love spending time in – and check with them while decorating so they have a hand in curating their special space.
Add floating shelves to display photos, favorite books, inspirational quotes, achievements, and artwork. This keeps the desk area free of clutter while still showcasing their personality. Hang up a calendar or planner nearby to help keep track of assignments and deadlines. Then, add fun elements like pops of color, wallpaper, house plants, and more. The key is to create a zone that’s both organized and inviting, combining creativity with efficiency.
Looking for an A+ home of your own – one with ample study space? Connect with a local RE/MAX agent today.
Article originally appeared on RE/MAX.com.
