DOING HOMEWORK IN STYLE

The clock is tick-tocking down the last days of summer. Soon, the kids are back in school and we’ll fall back into our autumnal routines — including homework, of course. While that’s no one’s favourite chore, there are ways to make it more enjoyable, star

THE DESK

It’s hard to get anything done without a functional space to work on. The sleek Alex desk is that space. It has a nice big work surface, plus a handy built-in management system for gathering up all those messy cables, and drawers with stops to prevent messy spills. Comes in white or grey. Ikea, $169; ikea.com/ca

THE WORLD

Wondering where Wyoming is? Trying to pinpoint Peru? This gorgeous lighted globe by Wild & Wolf features more than 2,000 place names, including oceans, deserts, mountains, cities and countries. Plus it adds a lovely soft glow to any room. Indigo, $109.50; chapters.indigo.ca

THE LIGHT

Now here’s a bright idea: The Bulbing is an LED table light created by the Israeli design firm Studio Cheha — it looks like a funky three-dimensional light bulb, but is actually a two-dimensional light comprising dozens of intricate lines engraved on a flat surface. Brilliant. Studio Cheha, US$124; bulbing-light.com

THE IDEA SPACE

Doing sums. Painting pictures. On a bad day, writing lines. Guidecraft’s two-sided tabletop easel is a terrific tool for idea generation — one side is a chalkboard, the other a write-on-wipeoff surface that features a roll of art-grade paper and paint cups for making pictures. Perfect for a rainy day. Hudson’s Bay, $59.99; thebay.com

THE CHAIR

Oh, the challenge of keeping them in their seats. Make it a little bit easier with this bright and comfortable Örfjäll junior chair. The high-density foam is designed to last, while the castors are designed for safety. It might just help ensure that book report gets done on time after all. Ikea, $59; ikea.com/ca