10 Cool Homeschool Room Setup Ideas & Supplies You Need

Want some ideas to help set up your classroom or homeschool room? Today, we will look at some simple suggestions that inspire you to set up a colorful, fun space to educate children. A learning environment that’s conducive to learning. (Something that makes them itch to get creative!) Many supplies, furniture, and stationery items can be picked up at IKEA, Office Works, or even a second-hand shop. To complete this article, I looked at Office Works and photographed items that you might find helpful. 

Rebbecca Devitt

I hope you enjoy reading this blog post. If you want to do my course on how to homeschool, click here.

Teachers and Home educators don’t need much money to get started.

You can also source many things by doing a few DIY projects.

Throughout the article, I’ll link objects and furniture I love.

Let’s get started!

Please support me by buying through these affiliate links. I hope you love the ideas!

Contents of this article:

  1. Table and chairs
  2. Desk
  3. Modular cube bookcase
  4. Stationary
  5. Pictures and posters
  6. Blackboard or whiteboard
  7. Decorating Ideas
  8. Additions to organize your homeschool room
  9. Montessori Home Setup
  10. Setting up a small homeschool room
If you're looking for a core list of homeschool room essentials, this is a great mini-list to help you out.
If you’re looking for a core list of homeschool room essentials, this is an excellent mini-list to help you out.

1. Homeschool Table and Chairs

Getting a good homeschool table and chairs isn’t tricky.

Many are plastic or wooden (I like the wooden ones).

These can be easily sourced from IKEA or Office Works in any color, shape, or height.

For younger children, go for the child-size versions

Many second-hand shops offer cheaper table and chair options for those with a tight budget.

You can also get a more comfortable desk chair with padding for your teenagers who might be putting in a few extra hours as they study for entrepreneurial or college pursuits.

Table and Chairs for a Homeschool Room Setup.

A table and chair set can help do craft and painting projects.

They allow children to spread themselves out and get messy without spoiling your dining room table!

For little people, these miniature chairs are a great way to feel comfortable while you work and are a favorite with many small people.

These are a couple of cute ones I found at my local office supply store:

Miniature Homeschool Table and Chairs - a great option in a homeschool.

This one is just gorgeous!

Miniature Homeschool Table and Chairs. A better looking and slightly more expensive option in a home school.

If you’re short on space, you can also consider a folding table and chairs to clear them out of the way when not in use.

And some more cute chair ideas are below:

  • mini options for littlies
  • a desk chair for high schoolers sitting in a chair for many hours studying
  • a comfy chair for reading adventures!

Ask yourself which they’d use most.

Get a comfy chair for older kids, a desk chair for computer work, and miniature chairs for little kids.

Children can work at dining room tables if you don’t have a lot of money.

The downside is that your house might look permanently messy…especially if kids aren’t great at clearing up after themselves.

But, some mothers might not mind this.

Some might even like having children close to them in the main living areas as they complete other tasks.

Want a small baby fed?

Enlist 4-year-old Mary’s help!

2. Homeschool Desk Setup

Another excellent furniture item for your homeschool room is a desk.

Desks are handy for high schoolers as they can open multiple books in the same space without balancing or overlapping them.

Students can also store their stationery in drawers.

This gives them easy access and reduces interruptions from getting out of their chairs and accessing stationery elsewhere.

A conducive learning environment includes large desks for teens, communal desks for work projects (can be the dining room table), and smaller miniature versions for young children. Get more learning ideas here. Some easily distracted children might benefit from a desk facing the wall.

This means less visual stimulation than a window might offer.

Something like that would be a good option for autism, ADHD, or ADD.

A homeschool desk from IKEA or Amazon is a simple option for parents to purchase immediately.

Another option children might want to participate in is a DIY homeschool desk using reclaimed lumber from your local recycling center.

My brother did this growing up!

But you can also buy them. This is a good option:

Desk for Homeschool Room: This is a great cheap option that should serve your child's whole primary and secondary education life.

Or you could make it fancier like this one, with a storage bookshelf:

This is another option for a desk in your homeschool room. It can house all books or curricula on the top hutch and all the stationary in the draws. Consider setting up an L-shaped desk for homeschooling rooms that accommodate more than one child.

This can fit more than one child in a small space.

Like this one:

A larger desk option for high school aged homeschoolers. Or for two children who can study together.

You can add other furniture and storage supplies to your small homeschool room space.

Or you will just have more freedom to move around in larger areas.

This is another desk option but only fits one child.

A great desk for a homeschool room that will fit in a compact area.

3. Modular Cube Bookcase for a Homeschool Room

Bookcases are excellent homeschool furniture ideas as most home-educated students are avid readers.

So, most homeschools contain LOADS of books.

And, of course, these books need good bookshelves.

Either modular or horizontal bookcases.

If they’re on top of the desk, ensure they are secured appropriately and are not a falling risk.

(I’ve seen this happen to my little children when we moved house!)

Modular cube bookcases (see below) are trendy nowadays.

This is what every homeschool room needs. A modular bookcase. I found this one at Officeworks but I also think you can do an IKEA homeschool room and get something comparable. #homeschool room. #howdoihomeschool

They can double as a bookcase or a loose item holder (if you get the modular insert boxes).

These inserts are specially made plastic or fabric boxes (see below).

Modular bookshelf inserts are wonderful for storing all those nick-nacks! Check out more classroom and home learning ideas here. https://howdoihomeschool.com/homeschool-room-ideas-2/They usually come in two sizes, small and large.

They fit into these spaces to house small homeschool room supplies like available stationery.

The modular bookcases below are from Office Works, and IKEA and Amazon have similar options:

This is what every homeschool room needs. A modular bookcase. I found this one at Officeworks but I also think you can do an IKEA homeschool room and get something comparable. #homeschool room. #howdoihomeschool

But, a bookshelf is all well and good – but what about the good books?

I’ve got you covered with this FREE complete homeschool booklist.

Only good books.

No twaddle.

Check it out here.

4. Stationary for your Homeschool Room

Neatly contained homeschooling room supplies inspire learners and educators alike.

Without good storage options, stationery supplies can get messy and disorganized. 

And you can’t find stuff when you need it!

Arghh!!!

An excellent way to get around this is to purchase mess and space-minimizing stationary holders for loose:

  • pens,
  • pencils, and
  • papers.

Pencil cases are a perfect option for escaping pens and pencils:

Pencil cases. I always think fun stationary make one want to study even more as your environment is improved.

Document holders will hold curriculum workbooks and extra paper for writing or craft purposes.

Here are a few options for document holders:

Document holders to keep papers you're using semi-regularly in your homeschool room. Different options for storing documents or curricula notes in your homeschool room. Minimalistic document holders for your homeschool room. These might get messy though.

Don’t forget to get some clipboards too.

These will be useful when you go on nature walks or experimental trips.

Clipboard stationary to keep nature walk documents or other papers neatly in your homeschool room. Organization in a homeschool room is essential.

Otherwise, things get frustrating, not to mention messy.

Sarah from FrugalFun4Boys said:

Make sure everything has a place. Otherwise, it will not be put away. This has taken me a long time to learn! Scissors, tape, glue, pencils – they all need designated homes in your school space.

So make sure your room is organized neatly.

Stationary for Your Homeschool Room

You’ll only need some simple stationery in your learning space.

These can be normal, cheap ‘back-to-school’ items most teachers and parents purchase.

These include:

  • pens,
  • paper,
  • a stapler with staples,
  • a box or two of printer paper,
  • blank paper books to do drawings,
  • lined paper books for essay writing,
  • texters, pencils, markers, crayons,
  • sharpeners,
  • scissors, and
  • post-it-notes

There’s a lot more, but these are most of the basics.

Faber-Castell is excellent for connector pens (fun BUT mainly fabulous because you don’t lose them as often):

Faber Castell is one of my favorite texter options for homeschoolers.

And then get some neat pencils. I also like this brand becasue they’re quality.

You don’t get dud pencils that only give you a whiff of color with Faber-CastellL.

Good stationary pencils makes home educated students want to be artists! None of those second rate pencils that don't work properly.

And then you want all your sticky tape and glue.

It’s cheap stuff for the little tackers because they’re wasteful.

It’s more premium for oldies because they’re pretty responsible.

Stationary for a Homeschool Room

And then just some fun stuff to ignite their creative juices:

Fun decoration options for your homeschool room setup.

You can also go to a craft store for a broader range of crafting materials…or a dollar store.

These have lots of crafty options.

Technology for your Homeschool Room

Laptop and a Laptop Bag

In this day and age, it’s wise to buy your kids a computer.

When they’re older, they’ll need to be doing research on it for various homeschooling projects.

A laptop is an excellent way to record things on excursions and field trips.

A laptop has the advantage of portability, but a desktop will last longer as children won’t ruin the unit by moving its hard drive while it’s operating.

A Warning about Technology in the Bedrooms: I would think twice about allowing your children to take technology in their room alone. Keep the laptop in communal areas. It’s easier to get tempted to look at things you shouldn’t be looking at if you’re alone in your room than if you have a computer in a communal space.

If you can afford it, a good computer will last you a long time and you won't regret its purchase. Beware if you're doing a course that requires a fast processor as these cheap computers might not be able to do the job.

If you can afford it, a good computer will last a long time, and you won’t regret its purchase.

Laptops for your homeschool room don’t have to break the budget.

Be aware if you’ve purchased a homeschool curriculum that requires a fast processor – like Monarch.

Cheap computers might not be able to do the job.

Check the technology requirements in the details section before purchasing.

Some cheaper laptops only cost a couple of hundred dollars.

The pricier laptops can set you back almost $2,000.

You want something in the middle for longevity and ease of use.

If you’re a homeschool family that likes to go places, you should consider purchasing a decent bag to carry your notebook, Kindle, or iPad.

iPad or Galaxy Tablet

An iPad is a good compromise if you don’t want to buy a big, expensive laptop.

Taking them on excursions and nature walks can be a great idea.

Unlike a laptop, an iPad or tablet can be kept clean easily.

Some even come with waterproof cases if your child is prone to minor accidents.

A Kindle

If you have a small homeschool space like a dining room, a Kindle is a great way to reduce the clutter of books.

You can buy a Kindle for every child or buy just one.

One limitation of buying a single Kindle is that you might struggle if you have multiple kids who want to read simultaneously (i.e., during independent reading time).

A Printer

If you’re home-educating, keeping a color printer in your homeschool room is a great idea.

I would call a printer an essential.

Especially if you’re using a more eclectic homeschooling style.

A printing unit allows parents to print notes to save their children from looking at screens constantly.

Some parents purchase curricula that can be printed online.

Easy Peasy and SchoolhouseTeachers.com are good examples of this.

You’ll need a good color printer to print out curricula in their intended glory.

A great color printer is useful, especially if you're doing a curriculum that has many printables.

Many printers come with built-in scanners.

If yours doesn’t, make sure you purchase one of these too.

They come in handy when children reference a page they found in a library book.

Laminators are optional for parents who wish to preserve certain art items in their original glory.

Another optional purchase is a mobile document scanner like the one below.

Many printers come with scanners, but you can also get scanners to print things straight off your mobile phone.
Many printers come with scanners, but you can also get scanners to print things straight off your mobile phone.

These allow students to print their images from their mobile devices directly.

Have a think about what you want your homeschool room to look like...

5. Homeschool Classroom Pictures

Hanging pictures and putting artwork graphics up on the walls can be a great way to make your classroom bright and inviting.

But why not make it educational, too?

Putting bright mathematics graphics on the wall can help motivate your homeschoolers.

It will inspire them to learn their arithmetic or whatever they’re studying.

I found multiplication graphics from my local store:

These multiplication tables provide colorful decoration for your homeschool room.

 

Or this is a Times Table poster:
These times table posters provide colorful decorations for your homeschool room. They almost make you want to learn your mathematics!

It’s also an idea to include a world map or a map of your local country. I found this one in Australia in our local store.

Homeschool geography isn't complete without a map of your country on the wall.

Given phonics is the best way to learn grammar, a phonics graphic like the one below might be appropriate in your homeschool room.

A phonics graphic is helpful as homeschooled children learn how to read.

A human body poster might inspire home learners to learn anatomy and physiology.

A colorful portrayal of the human body inspires anatomy and physiology study in your homeschool room.

Many options are available, as you can see in the pictures below.

Write the names of various people here:

Other poster options for your homeschool room.

Play shops with a poster like this:

Other poster options for your homeschool room.

And don’t forget to learn about money with a poster like this.

Other poster options for your homeschool room. This is Australian money ❤️

Bible Verses on the Walls

As a Christian, I love being surrounded by encouraging words of hope and love.

Bible verses remind me of my purpose in life and inspire me to live the way Jesus wants me to.

For this reason, I’ll be putting a few Bible verses on the walls of my homeschool room.

These are some of the ones I did myself:

Bible verses for Homeschool Classroom Pictures

You could also put up some quirky artwork.

This is one I put up, and I love (though my husband isn’t a fan…[writing years later, and it is gone now]):

The layers of stone in the New Jerusalem. Jasper, Sapphire, Agate, Emerald, Onyx, Carnelian, Chrysalite, Beryl, Topaz, Lapis Lazuli, Amethyst. This is a fun homeschool project.

6. Blackboard or Whiteboard

You’ll want either a blackboard or a whiteboard if you love organization.

Whiteboards illustrate your points and store information in visually prominent places (such as the daily tasks or memory verses).

I was surprised that you could purchase these at pretty low prices.

A whiteboard for your learning room. There are lots of options.
My son advised me on the best whiteboard.

Another idea is to get some chalkboard paint and paint a whole wall!

Kids love this, and if you like the idea (and the sight), do it!

Kids love drawing on the walls. So why not facilitate it with some chalkboard paint. This is a great idea for a fun learning environment at home or in a school!Homeschool planners also help parents organize their time effectively.

I found the annual calendar below and thought marking when assignments are due would be helpful.

Or you could put in tasks that need to be completed.

Annual Calendar for a Homeschool Room

But, if you don’t want to have your plans on the board for everyone to see, you might prefer a paper-based journal planner:

Paper-based journal planner for curriculum planning. 7. Homeschool Room Decorating Ideas

Besides classroom pictures and wall hangings, how can you decorate your homeschool room?

Lamps make a great addition to the schoolroom as they can help make a cozy and enticing spot to study at night.

This is especially relevant to high-school-aged students who study more at night when their brains are still active.

Lamps for use at night. Many teenagers will study at night so a lamp may be helpful in those situations.

A book nook almost makes your homeschoolers want to read piles of books.

It’s an excellent place for home learners to retire as they do independent family reading time or read a History textbook chapter.

Pick a nice spot by the window and add some fluffy cushions.

If you don’t have the proper setup for a book nook, a beanbag under the window can make a comfy, warm spot for homeschoolers to park themselves.

A moveable pull-along cabinet on wheels lets you follow the sun around the house.

Overly hot or cold environments can make concentration hard.

So, having the option to take advantage of the sun facilitates learning and increases motivation.

Store all your bits and bobs in your moveable cabinet and enjoy the sun wherever you sit.

If your children love pets, an aquarium or mouse cage might be just the thing for your homeschool room.

Put an aquarium or mouse cage in the corner to keep your homeschoolers company while they study.

8. Additions to Organize Your Homeschool Room

Storage containers are essential if you want to maintain order in the room.

They don’t have to be housed in your homeschool room.

But this is useful so you can drop your child’s homework in the box after they finish.

Sort it out another day!

  Storage containers for a variety of items.

Or a cuter option are these:

Storage containers for a variety of items.

9. Montessori Home Setup

If you love the Montessori method, you’ll want to incorporate a Montessori-style homeschool room.

You want to make the area visually attractive and sturdy, using ‘real’ materials where you can (no plastic items).

The American Montessori Society says:

Throughout the room, children will be sorting, stacking, and manipulating all sorts of beautiful objects made of a range of materials and textures. Many of these objects will be made of smooth polished wood. Others are made of enameled metal, wicker, and fabric. Also available to explore are items from nature, such as seashells and birds’ nests.

Don’t cram shelves until they’re overflowing.

Make things sparse so children can easily focus on specific objects.

It’s okay to get breakable items in a Montessori homeschool room as children learn from their mistakes and value what can be broken.

What materials are in a Montessori Classroom?

While you need to be age-sensitive, these are some of the things in a Montessori classroom:

There are many things you could get for a Montessori classroom.

You’ll have to pick your or your children’s favorites or choose age-appropriate items you think they will learn best using.

You can see this link for a complete list of Montessori materials.

10. Setup a Small Homeschool Room

If you’re about to start homeschooling in a small space and have limited options, you can easily make it work.

For example, dining room tables make great substitutes for homeschooling rooms.

Many parents don’t even have schoolrooms, and instead, home learners do all their work on the floor, sofa, or balcony.

Some ideas for small homeschooling rooms or small educational spaces include:

  • instead of wall-to-wall bookcases, consider getting a Kindle for your books. As your kids age and devour more books, you might be grateful you don’t have 100 books for fifth graders when your teenager graduates.
  • instead of keeping and storing…why not chuck? The freedom of living with no clutter is exhilarating. Google ‘stuff I should throw out in my house’ for ideas where you can minimize your ‘stuff.’
  • Look at a store specializing in small areas for some homeschool organization ideas for small spaces. Even if you can’t afford to buy the stuff, you can DIY some solutions for a small homeschool space. Use the great outdoors as your classroom. Spending a lot of time outdoors is a great idea anyway, and you have all the more reason to do it if you have a small homeschool space! When you think about how small your homeschool room is, think about the fact that you’re probably incredibly wealthy compared to most people in the world (if you’re in a Western country, you’re probably in the top 2% of rich people!). Showing your kids that you are happy with less is also a way of modeling humility to your homeschoolers.

Check out these cool homeschool room set-up ideas. Get an idea of the cost of homeschooling setup and how much you can save using cheaper methods. We kit out the schoolroom with a desk, stationary, chairs, computers and other materials to make you and your child more comfortable in their study space. #costofhomeschooling #homeschoolroomsetupideas

Conclusion

An excellent homeschool room setup will help you organize your thoughts and put you ahead of the game by having the material, resources, and supplies you need ready for your family’s educational journey. Many parents can see more clearly when they have things organized and in their correct spot. This article helps you stay organized and adds a bit of fun to your day when creating your schoolroom at home.

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Rebecca Devitt

Most adults don't particularly want to relive their schooling experience on a daily basis. They would gladly move on to a new life devoid of homework and teachers. Very, very few adults will passionately blog about their schooling some 15 years after graduating. This makes Rebecca Devitt somewhat unique. As it happens, she was homeschooled. And she loved it. Still does. And she wishes every kid could get a taste of homeschooling at its very best. Her website How Do I Homeschool, is a springboard for parents to see what a life of homeschooling could be for both them & their children. When she's not blogging Rebecca is still homeschooling her-adult-self by learning Latin, growing weird vegetables and most importantly looking after her two children Luke & Penny. She has a husband Tristan and is a participant at Wollongong Baptist Church. She's also written a book about why parents should homeschool called 'Why on Earth Homeschool'.

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