How to Create an Organized Home Classroom in a Limited Space

If you’re new to online schooling, creating a dedicated classroom area in your home may seem like a daunting task. It can be even more challenging if you don’t have a lot of space to dedicate as your student’s homeschool area. 

Ease the transition to online learning by creating an organized and inspiring home classroom, even within a limited space. Here are a few tips and tricks to get you started:  

You might need less space than you think.  

Think outside the box when looking for a learning space where your student can build productive study habits. 

Your student’s learning area can really be learning areas

Have you considered spreading out to small areas in a few rooms? You can set up the computer in one room and a desk in another. This minimizes the space you need to dedicate in any one room, and the change in scenery will help refresh your student during long periods of study.

The learning area doesn’t even have to be a “room”

Be creative when thinking about creating a learning space. As long as your student has a dedicated area, it doesn’t matter whether you use the space under a lofted bunk bed or even tuck a desk space into an unused closet.  

Be creative as you build and organize your student’s learning space.

Build your own desk to fit any space.

Two filing cabinets with any strong, flat surface across the top creates a simple desk solution. The filing cabinets provide organized storage for files, papers, books, and supplies. You can also add more shelving above the desk to make sure textbooks, learning materials, and other school supplies are within immediate reach. Encourage your student to decorate the space with educational posters or inspirational quotes.  

Tuck away supplies that aren’t being used all day.

 A hall closet can be a great space for school supply storage. By installing inexpensive wire shelving from top to bottom in the closet, you’ll be able to neatly organize school supplies and put away learning materials your student doesn’t use every school day. Murphy desks also offer an excellent space-saving tool that can help your school area virtually disappear when you’re not using it.  

Turn an unused kitchen cabinet into storage.

A cabinet in your kitchen that isn’t full or used often can easily store those extra school supplies. For more organization, pick up plastic storage bins, fill them neatly with supplies, label them, and store in the cabinet.

Use the backs of doors to create educational tools and school supply storage. 

Attach a dry-erase board to the top half and paint the bottom with magnetic paint to turn it into an instructional area and a place to display great work. You could also use the space to hang maps, the alphabet, or other educational materials. Or for extra storage, hang a 24-pocket, over-the-door shoe organizer and store supplies in each pocket. If possible, try to find a clear version, which makes it easier for you and your student to see what’s in each pocket. 

Try your best to keep things organized.

 Seeing a giant stack of workbooks, textbooks, and papers could intimidate you and your student for the next day’s task.  

Want more specifics on what you need to set up a learning space? We’ve created a shopping list that outlines basic school supplies as well as organizational tools to help your student transition to learning from home.