Sometimes all it takes to get motivated is a cute new space to create and work in!! Who’s with me?
Last Spring when I made a desk space for my girls, they spent countless hours there coloring, writing notes and being creative! So worth the small investment of time and money it took to create it for them. Sometimes you just need a dedicated space! Especially when the task isn’t one you are looking forward to (homework, bills, etc).
Today I have three desk looks to inspire you to create or revamp a work space in your home, too! Whether you have a lot of space, or feel like you don’t have a space to spare, setting a designated spot for your kids to do homework (or for you to work) makes it much easier to get into good habits.
Thank you Walmart for sponsoring this post
Family Room/Home Office-
Let’s start here. Long time readers will note that I have had a desk in this space almost since the beginning. A desk behind a couch is a great way to add some function without taking up too much real estate in the room. The desk that was here wasn’t performing like we needed, and I found myself usually just working from the kitchen table. I browsed the desks on Walmart.com and I was so impressed by the options! I love the desk I chose because the drawers are sturdy and it has a small footprint (perfect for this smaller space).
TIP: I need to have hundreds of pencils (maybe not HUNDREDS, but PLENTY) in our work areas. I Like them to be sharpened and have an eraser. Nothing kills productivity like not having a tool to complete homework!
Some of the ways that I made this space more functional was by adding this inexpensive wireless printer (that link is updated to the newest version) to the gold shelf. I made sure that our phones and computers are all connected to it to make printing easy! I also added a tray with paper and other supplies that I often need while working.
TIP: Make sure that everyone has easy access to a wireless printer and keep paper close by.
I found most of my back-to-school items, like the writing desk, the desk calendar, my planner, printer all from Walmart.com by searching their Back To School Section on their website, HERE. That made it super simple to shop all things to get us organized for the new school year!
Kids Room Desks-
I was on a roll upstairs so I went into the girls’ desk areas. You may recall when we added a work space for each of them using inexpensive desks from Walmart. This is still an area that they use often so it really didn’t need any revamping, but it did need a little bit of de-cluttering. So often kids’ art and creations begin to take over.
I always say to give your kids a drawer! What stops fitting needs to be decluttered. I like to have containers in the drawer and stand everyone up (like photo above). So what they keep in their desk cubby is “active” items- things they are currently taking action on.
TIP: Get into the habit of clearing out excess papers in kid spaces by routinely sifting through. Do this with them and have them pick pieces to archive and pieces to recycle. I have written about other paper organization and kids art in this post.
Dedicated Homework Station-
Remember this family room makeover? Such a BIG space and I didn’t even show you the other side of the room! Even after we finished the bulk of the makeover, my friend still had a lot of unused space behind her sofa. We considered doing a ping pong table, or some other gaming table, but she has that in the basement, and it would have felt a little tight. Sometimes you don’t know what a room needs until you see it!
TIP: Are there spaces in your home that could be used in a different or more functional way?
Rachel sent me her plan to make a gathering spot for homework and I loved it! She used a solid core wood door she salvaged for $30 for the shelf AND the desk top (She ripped 11 inches off of the length of the door to create the shelf). We used these chairs and these lamps from Walmart along with a lot of what she already had by shopping her house to create this fun work space. The grand total was under $100 for the whole look. She used a black peg board she had in her shed and hooks to keep supplies organized and close at hand.
TIP: One way to create any new space on a budget is to SHOP YOUR HOME first!! What do you have that would work?
We also added THESE task lamps by each desk so everyone can have the right lighting.
Even before school started, she found her kids up there writing books, coloring and using Play-Do.
I rounded up similar products from Walmart to help you “get this look.” You can shop Walmart.com or in store and get so many cute back to school necessities inexpensively! It is so convenient to pickup or order school supplies at the same place you get a desk a plant and a printer. I love the options online and how quickly everything showed up!
Alright–are you ready to create a space of your own? Along with the TIPS from above, I have a list of 10 MUST HAVES for a Homework or Work Space. Comment below if I missed something that YOU must have in a work space for you or the kids?
10 Must-Haves for a Homework Desk or Work Space
- Have supplies already gathered there. Simple vases for pencils or boxes of blank paper is a good way for kids to know where to find the supplies they need.
- Keep it organized (have a place for everything).
- If possible, leave room for an adult to sit and help- Kids will want to be there if you spend time with them there too. Homework is often a group activity.
- Add a plant– having something that is alive brings energy to the space. It can also help purify the air.
- A diffuser is another way to purify the air and create intention with the area you are creating.
- Have a recycle bin and garbage can in the space.
- Lighting- Good lighting is so important for homework and study time! Not only will it reduce eye strain, but can keep your mind alert.
- Timer/Clock. Having a way to time yourself in an activity makes managing the clock so much easier. Often kids need to do reflex math for 1 minute, or timed reading activities. But having a clock (separate from your phone) is useful for adults as well. I have been learning about Time-Blocking and I love the concept. The basic idea is to give yourself a specific window of time to complete certain tasks. i.e”I am going to review this mail for the next twenty mins… etc.” Keeping the clock separate from a phone is helfpul in keeping you on-task.
- Desk Calendar-Having the month at a glance keeps you on track for deadlines.
- Personal Calendar that can be carried with you. I love a paper planner that I can update throughout the day and week. Something about physically writing something down really cements the task or event into my brain. This one is the one I have.
Lamp // Clock // Monthly Calendar // Desk // Printer // Planner // Writing Desk // Black Pencils // Salt Lamp // Gold Bookcase
Nana Diana says
Oh- I am happy to see this post today!! I am setting up a new working office in my place over the holiday weekend and there are several great ideas here. I hope you have a great Labor Day.
Alyson says
I know this wasn’t the focus of the post, but where is your couch from? It’s just what I’ve been looking for!
[email protected] says
It was from Lee Industries! I bought it about 5 years ago