Day #4: Create a Mini Homework Center
Welcome back to the Postbox Designs 5 Day Design Challenge!
Why 5 Days? Because five projects (some big and some small) is something do-able you can achieve to make your home a bit more beautiful and organized. But I don’t want you to feel overwhelmed. Just choose one Design Challenge that speaks to you, and will make an impact. If you missed any days, here is a quick recap of the first three Design Challenges:
DAY #1: Get a New Bedroom with Just 4 Items
DAY #2: Create a Mini Command Center (with just 24″ of space)
DAY #3: Laundry Room Makeover + FREE MOOD BOARD
And if you have been reading along, you know that every day I’m giving you sneak peeks at my BRAND NEW product being launched by Postbox Designs. Currently I have been only offering custom interior design for my clients. And all of my CUSTOM ROOM PACKAGES are still there! But I’m introducing a brand new way to get the Postbox Look for a fraction of the price:
“Choose Your Style” Pre-Designed Mood Boards
(P.S. This won’t be one of the Mood Boards I’m offering, because you can actually get this Mood Board FOR FREE in my FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY)
With this launch I’m releasing my Family Room Mood Boards in 3 Different Styles: Farmhouse, Modern, and Boho Chic.
I have hand-selected a curated group of furnishings, art, accessories, and more so you can get the look of a professionally designed room. Everything selected falls in the “mid-price” range, and with some of the larger items (such as a sofa), I even provided a couple of options.
You will get your Mood Boards + Shopping List (with 25+ items depending on the style you choose) sent directly to your inbox. All that is left to do is some shopping! Stay tuned for Day #5 where I’m giving my readers only a super intro discount that is only good for one week! Because you guys are THE BEST!
And for today’s Challenge: Day #4 Create a Mini Homework Nook
I’m a Mom to three sweet kiddos so I know a thing or two about homework time. Some kids need quiet, while others want to be in the center of the action. Some kiddos need you just around the corner to help answer questions, while others need to be alone.
And for us grown-ups, more and more of us are working flexibly so a lot of us need a “landing space” inside our homes. While I do happen to have a home office you will more than likely find me camped out on the sofa with our Labradoodle Jasper or working at our dining room table. Wherever my kids are at the moment, I’ll be nearby!
So today we are going to look at two different types of homework stations:
Option #1: If you are looking for a flexible, moveable homework station or work landing spot:
CREATE A HOMEWORK KIT CONTAINER
This should have everything your child needs for daily homework. That way you aren’t wasting time looking for a sharpened pencil (been there, done that WAY too many times!). Or being frustrated that you can’t find her math notebook. Again.
I would recommend finding a semi-permanent home for it (try inside a kitchen cabinet, a hall closet, or their mudroom lockers). Then they can grab it and go wherever they are doing homework for the day.
- Start with a bin, basket, or divided carrier. I personally love the containers that are already divided! Try the Dollar Store, Target, Wayfair, or the Container Store and look in their “organization” or “home office” departments.
- If your container isn’t divided, add in mason jars, plastic cups, or dividers within your container.
- Add in all of the school supplies they will need for their daily homework: pencils, pens, erasers, calculator, sharpener, ruler, etc. This bin can work for all of your kids as the supplies are pretty generic (but feel free to make more than one if sharing is going to be an issue!)
- Feel free to pop in an afterschool snack or little treat!
CREATE INDIVIDUAL HOMEWORK BOXES
The above “homework container” is a generic one that all of your kids can use. In addition t this, create a “homework box” for each child. Put their name on it or let them decorate it and make it their own. I like the boxes that fit a sheet of paper. Because inside this box you can stash blank paper or notebooks. In addition, this is where kids can keep their long term projects that are working on. You can stash their school library book, math workbooks, etc. in here.
Put these items in a spot that kids can reach, so all they have to do is grab their box and homework bin. Then they can go to the spot where they work on homework. When they are done, stash it back in the dedicated cabinet or closet shelf!
OPTION #2: If you are looking for a permanent homework station (or work landing area):
You don’t need a lot of space, nor a dedicated home office for this! Look for places where you can sneak in a mini desk area:
-corner of the master bedroom
-corner in your child’s bedroom
-walk-in closet
-front entry (it can double up as a foyer table)
-front hall closet (you can even keep the doors to close it up when you are done!)
-end of a run of kitchen cabinets
-double up as a sofa table in your family room
-the end of a hallway
Want to see an example of a mini homework station fit for a princess?
I created this entire BUDGET FRIENDLY girl’s desk around for just $182. The white, sleek Parsons style desk is timeless and the metal chair (which comes in dozens of colors) can work for a boy or a girl. Just swap out the accessories to make this a little more boy-ish or a little more girl-ish. Find all of the sources and more right HERE
- Start with a desk. The foundation is everything, right?! I created this Desk + Chair Mood Board Round-Up with four different styles (see below!) to help you find the perfect desk! Feel free to think outside the box and look for tables for other rooms as well!
- Station yourself near an outlet. Most homework or work these days involves electronics. Plus, it is nice to have a task lamp nearby.
- Choose a comfy desk chair. If your desk is out in the open in your home, you may not want the “traditional” office chair on wheels. You can snag a cute dining room style chair that will look more natural in your room. (Check out that Desk + Chair Round Up above! I’ll also park it in my FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY.
- Box with a lid. I would choose one that is at least letter sized. Stash loose papers, notebooks, etc. But a warning here: BE SELECTIVE! You don’t want your box to become a secondary junk drawer. (You know what I’m talking about!)
- Desk Supplies Jar. Again, be selective here! Honestly, most of what we need can fit into one jar or pencil cup. You don’t need 300 pens and 4 pairs of scissors. Grab what you or your kids use on a regular basis and stash the lesser used items in another spot.
- Choose something fun, inspirational, or whimsical. Whether it is a favorite quote, a picture of their family, a sweet postcard…find something that will make them smile when they sit down to their homework station.
- I also suggested using one of these when making your MINI COMMAND CENTER on Day #2, but I always love to have ONE SINGLE SPOT where kids can dump permission slips, homework to be signed, etc. Then Mom or Dad can check it and take care of it. Instead of finding it smushed and wet in the bottom of their backpacks. (I’m looking at you my oldest daughter) 😊
Want to see an example of a work station that’s more grown up friendly?
This modern but still feminine home office is small enough to squeeze into a spot in your home, and is pretty enough to keep out. I could see this area doubling up as Mom’s work area and a craft/homework table for the kids too (only if Mom will share!). Best part? I pulled the entire thing together for just $273. Check out the rest of the post and all of the sources to buy anything you see HERE
Don’t feel overwhelmed! Just as few as 6 items can create a Mini Homework Station or Home Office Desk for your family. Use one of the Mood Boards above as a template and copy it for your own! Or add in your own touches and use these as a guide. And just for this Challenge I created another Freebie:
A FREE Desk + Chair Round Up Mood Board
I created pairing of desk and chairs (that don’t look like office chairs) for four styles:
Cheery + Cottage + Modern +Traditional
Cheery Chair Cheery Desk Cottage Chair Cottage Desk Modern Chair Modern Desk
Traditional Chair Traditional Desk
Join me for the FINAL day of the 5 Day Design Challenge tomorrow…I’ll show you my #1 favorite way to update a kitchen (no major remodeling needed!).
And tomorrow is when I finally share all of the details about my new “Choose Your Style” Pre-Designed Mood Boards, and where you can buy one. I’ll also be giving one away for FREE…find out how!
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