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Homeschool Spaces Make the Honor Roll
These thoughtful and functional designs inspire creativity and learning within the comfort of home
Each of the homeschool spaces below earns an A-plus for hard work. Not only are they all soothing, beautiful and clutter-free, but they also provide intellectual stimulation — not an easy task for even the most seasoned designer or DIY-er. Here's a look at four homes that not only help their owners teach their kids, but help to teach us as well.
A farmer's table and four blue chairs from Target make up the main gathering space for Ranee's three kids.
Tip: If you can, carve out a dedicated space for homeschooling. The physical and visual separation between the learning area and the rest of the house helps kids mentally prepare for a day's work when they enter the school space.
Tip: If you can, carve out a dedicated space for homeschooling. The physical and visual separation between the learning area and the rest of the house helps kids mentally prepare for a day's work when they enter the school space.
Ranee, an avid DIY-er, salvaged an old wooden electrical spool left over from her home's construction. She now uses it as a shelf for textbooks and other reading material.
This old barn chest, bought for $10 at an auction, is a homeschooler's dream. Ranee spray painted the drawers metallic silver and black; each drawer is big enough to store papers and documents.
Tip: Sprinkle inspirational and encouraging messages throughout your school area to lift the kids' spirits.
2. Traditional Home in Pennsylvania
Interior designer Darlene Weir is all about flexible seating options. Although her boys use a traditional chair and desk setup for writing assignments, they do almost all of their reading, researching and memorizing together on a beanbag, opting to break away from the heirloom table passed down from Weir's husband's family.
Says Weir, "My boys love drawing and doing math on the floor. Flexibility is a perk of homeschooling, so why not work on the ground once in a while?"
Tip: If you opt for a traditional chalkboard, try to find one that's antique — the chalk won't squeak as you write.
Interior designer Darlene Weir is all about flexible seating options. Although her boys use a traditional chair and desk setup for writing assignments, they do almost all of their reading, researching and memorizing together on a beanbag, opting to break away from the heirloom table passed down from Weir's husband's family.
Says Weir, "My boys love drawing and doing math on the floor. Flexibility is a perk of homeschooling, so why not work on the ground once in a while?"
Tip: If you opt for a traditional chalkboard, try to find one that's antique — the chalk won't squeak as you write.
Homeschooling calls for many small items: glue sticks, tape, crayons, pipe cleaners and more. Weir finds storage and clutter-control comfort in baskets. "Baskets leave items easily accessible, but they hide the different tiny parts from view," she says.
Weir also uses the workbox system, where each of her kids has his own workbox that contains his individual assignments for the day. Each child returns all items to the box when finished. "The system keeps the daily papers manageable," says Weir.
Tip: Although it's great to have a designated homeschool area such as this, Weir likes to break up the monotony of daily schooling by switching to a different area in the house occasionally. "Sometimes we 'do school' in the kitchen because it breaks up the pace; the new setting reinvigorates us," says Weir.
Weir also uses the workbox system, where each of her kids has his own workbox that contains his individual assignments for the day. Each child returns all items to the box when finished. "The system keeps the daily papers manageable," says Weir.
Tip: Although it's great to have a designated homeschool area such as this, Weir likes to break up the monotony of daily schooling by switching to a different area in the house occasionally. "Sometimes we 'do school' in the kitchen because it breaks up the pace; the new setting reinvigorates us," says Weir.
3. 'Gentle Modern' Home School in Malibu
Interior designer Natasha Barrault and architect-designer Hervé Daridan designed this family home with schooling in mind.
"We used the existing rooms of the house and enabled each space to transform to the needs of the school. In essence, the rooms can actually shape-shift [to] a homeschool in the morning and then return to being a regular living room or dining room for the rest of the time," says Barrault.
This picture shows part of the living room, used as the language arts room when school is in session.
Tip: Don't underestimate the power of slipcovers and furniture protectors. Barrault added specially designed and elegantly protected furnishings and decor so that each piece can endure the wear and tear of school days.
Interior designer Natasha Barrault and architect-designer Hervé Daridan designed this family home with schooling in mind.
"We used the existing rooms of the house and enabled each space to transform to the needs of the school. In essence, the rooms can actually shape-shift [to] a homeschool in the morning and then return to being a regular living room or dining room for the rest of the time," says Barrault.
This picture shows part of the living room, used as the language arts room when school is in session.
Tip: Don't underestimate the power of slipcovers and furniture protectors. Barrault added specially designed and elegantly protected furnishings and decor so that each piece can endure the wear and tear of school days.
Barrault and Daridan custom designed fabric-covered boxes with metal frames to fit in the bookcases. Each box is filled with letters, numbers, toys and other educational items.
"The client didn't want to sacrifice the beauty of each room. I think we proved that practicality and prioritizing kid-related activities in the home are not detrimental to good home design," says Barrault.
Tip: Homeschools don't necessarily have to be filled with dispensable furniture. Beautiful, elegant interiors can serve those needs; you just have to find the most versatile, flexible pieces.
Tip: Homeschools don't necessarily have to be filled with dispensable furniture. Beautiful, elegant interiors can serve those needs; you just have to find the most versatile, flexible pieces.
4. Homeschool Remodel in Florida
Interior designer Amy Steenson's homeschool works extremely hard for her family. The efficient space does triple duty as a school, a home office and a guest room for friends and family.
Tip: Maximize your space by aligning furniture against the walls, freeing up the center of the room for reading and creative group activities.
Interior designer Amy Steenson's homeschool works extremely hard for her family. The efficient space does triple duty as a school, a home office and a guest room for friends and family.
Tip: Maximize your space by aligning furniture against the walls, freeing up the center of the room for reading and creative group activities.
Steenson loves versatile storage solutions, such as table legs with storage space and wall-hung cups and shelves. "Find storage boxes that can fit under desks, tables and sofas, and flexible furniture solutions like end tables that double as filing cabinets," she says.
Tip: Source furniture from other parts of the house. A futon, daybed or sleeper sofa can be a good addition to a homeschool. "This sofa is a place where my kids and I can read together during the school day, but also doubles as a full-size bed we can use for visiting guests," says Steenson.
Houzzers, do you have a homeschool? Tell us about your design challenges and show us pictures in the Comments section below.
More:
Kids' Study Spaces Earn High Marks
Get Your House Back-to-School Ready
Tip: Source furniture from other parts of the house. A futon, daybed or sleeper sofa can be a good addition to a homeschool. "This sofa is a place where my kids and I can read together during the school day, but also doubles as a full-size bed we can use for visiting guests," says Steenson.
Houzzers, do you have a homeschool? Tell us about your design challenges and show us pictures in the Comments section below.
More:
Kids' Study Spaces Earn High Marks
Get Your House Back-to-School Ready
Sponsored
Loudoun County Paint & Wall Coverings Professional: Best of Houzz
This family's homeschool is located in a loft above the kitchen. Homeowner and photographer Julie Ranee purchased the hammock on a trip to Ecuador 22 years ago. "I've been carting the hammock around for so long and now I've finally put it to good use. The kids love having a new and relaxing reading nook," says Ranee.