How to Create a Homework Area Your Children Will Really Use
Repurpose some of your disused furniture to create a study zone that will make your kids want to sit down and work
In our home, the end of summer ushers in back-to-school time for our three children. It also marks the beginning of busy sport schedules, homework sessions and other school projects. Needless to say, this is the time of year when I’m always looking for new and innovative ways to make our home function better.
One recurring issue around our house is finding a place where the children can study without disruptions. This year, I decided to be proactive. I found the quietest spot in the house (a storage room) and pulled together furniture pieces I already had in order to repurpose them. There are numerous companies that will upcycle your old furniture for you – just search ‘upcyclers’ in the Houzz Professionals Directory – so if you’re time-poor, this can be a quick and very effective project.
One recurring issue around our house is finding a place where the children can study without disruptions. This year, I decided to be proactive. I found the quietest spot in the house (a storage room) and pulled together furniture pieces I already had in order to repurpose them. There are numerous companies that will upcycle your old furniture for you – just search ‘upcyclers’ in the Houzz Professionals Directory – so if you’re time-poor, this can be a quick and very effective project.
By repurposing old furniture I’d piled away in storage and claiming a quiet, unused area in our basement, I was able to create an inspiring, child-friendly office area. We now have an official homework station that’s ready to encourage our kids to study.
Here’s the formerly empty basement area. As our children outgrew their toys and we updated our furnishings, the basement storage area had become packed with forgotten items. I removed all the clutter but kept the pieces that could be repurposed.
For example, we had an old dining table that hadn’t been used in years. It had a lot of history with our family – holiday dinners and art projects – so I didn’t want to chuck it.
I also found an old, large doll’s house that my dad had built when I was a kid and that my daughter had outgrown a long time ago.
I also found an old, large doll’s house that my dad had built when I was a kid and that my daughter had outgrown a long time ago.
Armed with these key pieces, I got to work. I painted the concrete walls to look like aged brick, which gave the area a lot of character. We then called in professionals to fit high-quality carpeting and an insulated drop ceiling for warmth and noise control.
I then identified this corner as the perfect homework area. To begin, I gave the old dining table a coat of black paint and stacked the doll’s house on top of it. If you don’t have a doll’s house, you could use any bookcase or small shelving unit instead. Small- to medium-size bookcases can be purchased inexpensively at second-hand and art shops.
Find local builders who could help revive brickwork or plaster walls.
I then identified this corner as the perfect homework area. To begin, I gave the old dining table a coat of black paint and stacked the doll’s house on top of it. If you don’t have a doll’s house, you could use any bookcase or small shelving unit instead. Small- to medium-size bookcases can be purchased inexpensively at second-hand and art shops.
Find local builders who could help revive brickwork or plaster walls.
For seating, I grabbed two extra dining chairs that were used only during the holidays. Now they provide comfortable seating at our new homework station. The black and white chairs work perfectly with the white doll’s house and the new black finish on the table.
Using a black and white colour scheme unifies the mix and match set. It also allows us to introduce different accent colours as we desire. For now I’m using bright, bold turquoise. I love the way it plays off the red brick walls.
The striped lumbar cushions are our summer outdoor cushions that are brought inside at the end of the season. Instead of storing them away for the winter, we will be using them to keep the kids sitting tall during their study sessions.
Have some old chairs that need updating? Find upholsterers and furniture restorers in your area in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Using a black and white colour scheme unifies the mix and match set. It also allows us to introduce different accent colours as we desire. For now I’m using bright, bold turquoise. I love the way it plays off the red brick walls.
The striped lumbar cushions are our summer outdoor cushions that are brought inside at the end of the season. Instead of storing them away for the winter, we will be using them to keep the kids sitting tall during their study sessions.
Have some old chairs that need updating? Find upholsterers and furniture restorers in your area in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
To style the doll’s house, I created playful art by placing an Albert Einstein photo and inspirational quote inside old frames that I updated with a coat of the same black paint I used on the table.
I labelled supply-filled rattan storage baskets from a craft shop with chalkboard tags purchased at an office supply store. The natural texture of the baskets softens the strongly contrasting black and white scheme.
The chalkboard tags are a fun, decorative element that also make it easy for the kids to know what is inside each basket.
Our youngest isn’t tall enough to reach the top of the doll’s house, so I placed his supplies in a tray on the desk.
The chalkboard tags are a fun, decorative element that also make it easy for the kids to know what is inside each basket.
Our youngest isn’t tall enough to reach the top of the doll’s house, so I placed his supplies in a tray on the desk.
Two small lamps offer task lighting without taking up a lot of desk space. They also add a youthful splash of colour.
A few whimsical decorative features tucked in with books and supplies keep the design light-hearted. These pieces came from a local craft shop. They nod to the educational theme of our homework area.
So far the homework station is a hit with the whole family. Even though school hasn’t started yet, the kids have already been inspired to spend quiet time here.
For me, this project is a great example of how things we already have can be used in new, innovative ways to meet our changing needs.
Tell us…
Have you created a homework area for your kids? Share your tips and photos in the Comments section.
For me, this project is a great example of how things we already have can be used in new, innovative ways to meet our changing needs.
Tell us…
Have you created a homework area for your kids? Share your tips and photos in the Comments section.