How to Designate a Homework Place

by GraceAnn Simoni

It’s that time again parents; and here’s some great advice to set your kids up for success, from Contributor GraceAnn Simoni. An Interior Redesign and Staging Specialist and Instructor from the Chicagoland area, GraceAnn shares with us budget tips and advice for decorating with your existing furniture and accessories.

—

The kids are going back in school and the homework is starting. Have you designated a place for them to do that homework?

Studies have shown that a quiet place away from all the activity is best. In a busy family, where might that be? I remember my kids hated to be upstairs in their rooms doing homework in case they had a question or needed help. What’s the solution?

I think the solution is right there on the first floor….

Many homes have both a living room and family room. How much activity does that living room really get? Why not designate a small space perfect for homework?

In the photo above, you can see where we have placed the sofa on an angle near the window, allowing for the sofa table that had been used in the hall to serve as a desk.

This space has great light coming in the window, a lamp for additional task lighting, plenty of quiet, not far from the kitchen, and close to the snacks or to ask Mom for help. There is even a sofa where Mom can sit and read while overseeing the homework. The living room will still have the adult space we all like for entertaining and it will not go unused.

If it’s in your budget, some furniture companies even offer convertible sofa table/desks like this one from Fairmont’s Caprice collection.

The front panel flips open for a larger desk surface, and the top folds back, revealing a shelf and supply-storage drawers.

Now, what about those backpacks and shoes, that seem to collect in the hallway?

Why not take an old coffee table and get baskets or bins to fit underneath? Perfect place to sit and take off shoes and the bins serve as a gathering place for all the miscellaneous items. You could designate one for each child, or family member.