ACE THAT STUDY SPOT
How to create back-to-school spaces at home
Summer will soon be over, which means it’s time to think about how and where your children will get their school work done. Whether it’s a space in their bedroom, in a loft, on a landing, at the kitchen island, or a desk set up in another room, how can you make it conducive to studying and homework?
Decorator Kristi Blok took on the task last summer of turning an extra-wide section of her hallway that had become a dumping ground for all things child-related into the perfect work spot for her growing kids.
“I chose this spot because it is close to the kitchen and also my husband’s office; that way they can easily ask for help when they need it,” she says.
Taking part in a bloggers’ $100 room challenge — change a room in one month for just $100 — the makeover was inexpensive yet effective in checking off many of the elements designers recommend for a space to encourage focus and concentration while still being a spot kids will enjoy.
An easy-to-clean desk, both wallmounted and desk storage options, clipboards for organizing important notes and finished projects, a gallery wall of her children’s artwork for inspiration and to personalize the space, and a pocket door for extra privacy all create an environment perfect for her kids even though the nook itself is not large.
“I wanted a clean and organized space, but I wanted to include their art with lots of colour to inspire their creativity,” she says. “My kids are young, ages 9 to 4, so we didn’t need a super private work space, but I wanted an area that was quieter than, say, the kitchen table so I could start them on some good work habits.”
Your child’s age is important when identifying a study space, as is their personality, says designer Luc Crawford.
“The perfect study space is going to vary depending on the person, so before creating a study space you need to ask yourself what tools your child needs and what type of learner they are.”
Ask yourself the following questions, Crawford says:
Are they an auditory learner, kinesthetic (or tactile) learner, or a visual learner? Do they need silence or can they be productive with other people in the background? Can they study for hours on end or do they need frequent breaks? Do they work independently or do they need to be supervised? How much space do they need? Do they need access to a computer? What makes them most comfortable? What makes them most productive? What is the typical amount of time they spend on school work and how late do they work?
Answering these questions will help you determine the best location for the study space in your home, Crawford says. “And keep in mind, if you have multiple children, you may need multiple spaces.”
Flexibility is helpful, adds Sorcha Finn, a design consultant for Cardel Homes. “Having more than one area in the home that can be a potential study space is a huge plus,” she says, pointing to Cardel models where there’s choice between kitchen islands, eating nooks, dens, and children’s bedrooms.
Before creating a study space you need to ask yourself what tools your child needs and what type of learner they are.
Of course, a dedicated space may not be required. “Everyone wants to be portable,” notes designer Tanya Collins. “The study zone seems to be located now more than ever in open-concept spaces where family can all be together — and parents can monitor children’s online activities.”
Michelle Sachs preferred to have her kids close by when they were young, getting them to study at the kitchen table while she prepared dinner.
“I kept a dedicated drawer in the kitchen island that housed school supplies and a printer,” says the interior design project manager for Urbandale Construction. “All of their work could be completed and the table cleaned up in time to serve dinner.”
As they grew, they graduated to a dedicated work area.
If you are choosing a particular spot, once you’ve settled on a location you need to turn that area into a space where your child is going to want to spend time, a place that is comfortable and inviting, Crawford says.
For best ergonomics, start with an appropriately sized desk and chair, one that tilts and is height adjustable so it can grow with your child, he says.
Taking inspiration from trendy workspaces such as Shopify, look at ideas like exercise balls for sitting on or bicycle pedals under desks “to keep kids moving and help with focus while working,” suggests Sascha Lafleur of West of Main.
Lighting is also key. “Multiple light sources from different angles help create even lighting and minimize shadows,” says Crawford. “And natural lighting is always a bonus.”
But be aware of what time of day your child will use the space, says Catherine Pulcine of CPI Interiors. “When it comes to computer screens and windows, you may want to consider a window treatment that blocks more light during the day” so that it’s easier to see the screen.
What learning tools is your child going to need? Think, dictionaries, books, calculator, pencils, scissors, glue, etc. You’ll need an easily accessible spot to store these items, like bookshelves or bins.
If the kitchen counter or table is the best place for your child to work, a portable storage tower can solve the clutter issue, keeping everything handy but easy to tuck out of the way when not in use, says Lafleur.
Wherever your child studies, promote a clutter-free environment, says Pulcine. “Be sure that everything has a spot. Determine what supplies are needed for the study space and be sure that there is a space for everything so that it is kept easily organized.”
Electronics can be a doubleedged sword when it comes to school work. Often, students need laptops and access to the internet to complete homework, but these can also be a distraction. A good rule of thumb is to remove cellphones, TVs and tablets, etc., from the work area and consider parental blocks on surfing or social media to minimize the temptation, says Crawford.
If your child needs the quiet that a closed door offers yet you’re worried about what’s going on behind that door, consider a glass one so you can keep an eye on them, adds Pulcine.
Then, “once all the functional stuff is taken care of, you can start adding in some fun design elements that will make it a space you or your kids really want to be in,” says Melissa Leclair of Leclair Decor.
Include them in the process, too. The more you can engage them in creating the space, the more likely they are to use it.
Colour is important as well, says Valecraft Homes interior decorator Valerie Gendron. “Cool colours inspire us to be calm and balanced, while colours like red, yellow and orange are energetic and cheerful. Find colour that suits you and use it in your study space.”
Lafleur also suggests diffusers with essential oils such as rosemary, peppermint, sweet orange, sage, eucalyptus or lemon to promote studying and concentration.
Ultimately, says Collins, “focus and concentration happen when one feels comfortable in a space and there is lots of light.”
When it comes to computer screens and windows, you may want to consider a window treatment that blocks more light during the day.