With the first day of school just around the corner, everyone get a little hectic about it. Parents are picking out backpacks and new clothes, as well as books and supplies… In all that chaos, there is one more thing to take care of – the kids study area.
How do we set up a kids study area in our homes?
General layout
First of all, we should find a proper location for the student’s desk. It’s best to put it somewhere near the windows so that it can get plenty of sunlight. Also, from a psychological point of view, it would be better if it didn’t have its back against the door.
Electrical wiring
Next, we should make sure that we have proper wiring and a sufficient amount of wall sockets to plug in lighting and computer equipment. Also, we wouldn’t want to have our network cables laying around – it is best to have them built in the walls instead. This should all be taken care in advance.
Desk design
It is time to pick out the student’s desk. It is important that the table is of proper height for the kid’s age. Some stores sell adjustable desks with a top that can be tilted back and forth. That way you can be sure that the desk would accommodate the kid’s needs at any time. It is good to know that a desk should be about 75 cm high, 120 cm long and 60 cm wide on average.
Chair design
Finding a good chair is one of the most important things to do. Your kid’s chair should not only look good and match the overall design, but should also be safe and comfortable. It is recommended that you choose a design that allows you to adjust the height of the seat, and has good back support for your kid to maintain good posture.
Lighting design
Good lighting design is a must in your kid’s study area. Natural sunlight can’t be matched, but you should by all means provide additional light sources such as a table lamp for example. It would be best if you choose a lamp that’s adjustable, so your kid could point it in the right direction.
Storage and organization
Workplace organization can have a great impact on the learning process. Books and stationery should all be properly stored within easy reach, so there should be a sufficient amount of cabinets, drawers and shelves in your kids study area.
Computer placement
A personal computer or a laptop is a must-have in modern learning. Laptops are easy to move around, but a personal computer needs to be set up in a designated location within the study area. A good PC desk should have a special compartment for the computer case, an elevated stand for the monitor, and a pull-out tray for the mouse and keyboard.
Decoration and accessories
After we have taken care of functionality and convenience, we could think about sprucing up the workplace. When decorating the study area, we should always have the kid’s special interests in mind. It is also good to let the child take part in personalizing their workplace with artwork and proper accessories. It is not advisable, however, to overaccessorize the desktop area or decorate with pieces that could turn out to be distracting.
Don’t forget to also check out our recent article with tips about kids bedroom design.