Get creative when adding a classroom to your home

Many people who work from home have had to create workspaces from scratch. And now, those with children are converting any bit of unused space into tiny classrooms.

Some may be ahead of the game. A dedicated home offices or a spare room can turn into a custom workspace. But others are literally creating something out of nothing to help facilitate virtual learning.

A natural first plan of attack would be to rearrange furniture in a child’s bedroom. If space allows, adding a desk to the bedroom might be a great way to create a workspace without altering any other living space in the home.

A desk doesn’t have to become a major investment. In most cases, a folding table could be a perfect work platform. It’s just big enough for technology, a project space and storage for school supplies. Chairs from the dining room, table lamps from throughout the residence, and baskets, containers and vases that aren’t regularly used can all be perfect furnishings and accessories when it comes to creating a workspace. Think about what you have before heading out to the stores.

Living rooms

Traditionally, living rooms were thought of as fancy spaces for entertaining guests. My grandmother had white crocheted doilies on her sofa back, and her collection of ceramic Lladros on every tabletop were never meant to be touched, only looked at, and preferably from a distance.

Even today, living rooms are somewhat of a shrine: perfectly fluffed pillows, window treatments drawn just so and everything in its place.

This could be a great space to set up as many folding tables as you have children and create tiny classrooms for everyone. Sticking with the fancy theme, you could drape the folding tables with tablecloths and add acrylic tabletop liners and cardboard divisions between each desk space so each child can have a private learning space.

A much more elaborate plan for a home-based classroom would be to turn an existing exterior shed, she-shed or greenhouse into a school workspace. As long as the exterior structures have plenty of functional space, natural light, and power for lighting and technology, these areas could be a great option for the much-needed extra space.

Fun with furnishings

And just think of the fun you could have with the furnishings. Using a reclaimed door as a desk paired with a modern, ergonomic rolling desk chair. A floor lamp in every corner and an entire wall covered in a roll of cork to hang assignments, artwork and anything else the students may require. A sturdy indoor-outdoor area rug, terracotta pots to store school supplies and even a hammock for naptime. Well, maybe the hammock is more for the parents for a midday nap.

Either way, exterior structures could be fantastic options for students, or for your work from home needs.

Jennifer Leischer is the owner of J. Designs Interior Design based in Clayton. Contact her with questions, comments and suggestions at jenna@j-designs.com.