8 Homework Areas That Make Back-to-School Rock

Yolanda These are all nice settings, but with exception of the picture of the little diner table for reading, these pictures look more for adults than for kids.

rohw I agree with Yolanda - that was my reaction too as I looked at these.

Kristie Barnett, The Decorologist You don't have to set up kiddie-land. It's a place to work on homework, not play. If there are too many distractions, not much work will get done.

Sheila Zeller Interiors These are all great ideas, and doable solutions. My daughter usually works at the kitchen table, but she's in Grade 12 this year, so her homework habits are well established. I think the best approach, no matter where the homework station is located, is to have all the basic supplies close at hand, and if that's not possible, to have them in a homework caddy that's easy to pull out and put away!

Yolanda Distractions abound, so I agree that by homework time, the goal is to help our kids be efficient and focused. We've set up the computer on the side, yet all the essentials are handy (pencils, markers, calculator, rulers, note paper). To help him find the place inviting and "his own", he has a pinboard, a whiteboard for brainstorming ideas, a chair that fits his size, good direct light, etc. Naturally, storage is very important because they always bring finished work to keep home. I agree with Sheila as well, sometimes the kitchen table is the best and any mess is allowed :)

bellafay I love all of these spaces! I don't want my entire house looking like a kiddie-land- we have designated areas that do. It's about balancing what is pleasing to my eye and is a functional space for the kids to study or for myself to pay bills, etc. We use a shower caddy for each child containing essential homework supplies which they easily pull out to use and put away when finished. Thanks for great study space ideas!

Kristie Barnett, The Decorologist Bellafay: Love the shower caddy idea! Thanks for sharing :)

4udolly I have four children still at home and they are always fighting over the computer. A lot of teachers expect, even elementary aged kids, to use the computer. We need at least two computers. Also, the problem with most of these set ups is that the desk is too high plus add a key board on top and its very uncomfortable for short women or young children to see comfortably and ergonomically the arms would be too high. Comfort goes a long way.

giggles60 I found this great fold away desk "Wildon Home Frank Fold-Out Convertible Writing Desk" for under $200.00 My son's room did not have enough room for a standard desk, no matter how small. This desk fit the bill perfectly! It is attached to the wall. When not needed, it folds up out of the way. He loves it.

jasmine4 What was that mantra book back awhile? "Passages"? These designs are clean, correct yet disfunctional for the target user. First, demands change as children grow. Anyone with young children (2nd grade +) has realized all work stations--by itself good idea--need a space for mommy or daddy tutor in waiting, who also early-on encourage the time dedication to complete the educational tasks.These designs are more attuned to older, even college age students--or even data management career jobs. Second, the interplay in current academia between books, papers, presentations and computers is dynamic, and has been largely ignored. Where is the space for resource material which helps the student develop the written report? Where is the space for working on paper-based presentations or reports, cutting and pasting and painting, and supplies? Where is the space for shared tech, i.e. printers, scanner (the designs for two children had all equipment on one desk, which required one student using older tech to move aside for student needing to print--why not put in a pull out board in the middle over the shelves? Why not set up the CPU to have two separate users)? Possible solution for some of these needs might be to install a pull-out board from the student's side to form an L, giving them the elbow space needed.

Kristie Barnett, The Decorologist To Giggles60: Awesome pull-down desk! Reminds me of those pull-down ironing boards :)

Warline Painting Ltd. Love Love Love the space on the stairs. So smart and great for giving the kids a special place to create and work. My daughter would be there for hours.

jeanniecasey i like these design and like keeping it as clutter free as possible. i like having the Eprinter
some where else in a cabinet and the scanner too. we know the more stuff you put in front of a kid the more distractions they will have. these days all information is either online or
in a textbook. if painting and gluing are involved there is always the kitchen table. why have dedicated space for posters when that is only done once or twice a semester.

paulie4neil Kristie, my super favorite homework/study space is the staircase. It reminds me of the "Away Spaces" encouraged by that wonderful lady architect, Sarah Susanka in her books.