It’s the start of a new school year, and with it, the start of homework. While this can cause dread in many students (and parents), you can give your child a helping hand this year to show them it’s not as bad as they think. Having a dedicated workspace to do homework, projects and other academic material can be an integral part in helping your student focus. It may even excite them to have a workspace that’s just for them, and can also be used for non-school things like hobbies and art!

Here are some of our favorite ways to establish a dedicated study space for kids!

Desk to Impress

Don’t give your kids a desk that dwarfs them; find them one that’s more their style (and size!) Youth and kid desks are smaller in stature. This doesn’t mean that they’re tiny, as these desks are built in order to accommodate your growing academic. These often will tuck into smaller area and allow for your child to feel a sense of ownership for their own space!

Lofty Goals

A great location for a study space? Under a lofted bed! Often seen but rarely appreciated for its usefulness, tucking a desk underneath a lofted bed utilizes a great area that ends up feeling like a cozy study nook. Look for a loft bed with a built-in desk or find a matching desk to go with your loft bed set if it doesn’t come with one. Both options allow your child’s room to be utilized more effectively!

Get more loft bed design information and ideas.

Read about kid bedroom design trends.

Comfort Comes First

Although kids can seemingly contort themselves in ways that make your back hurt just to look at, you’ll want to provide them with optimal comfort in their study space. Not only will it encourage your student to use the space, but it will keep you from worrying about their posture as they write their papers for a few hours! Look for chairs with backs and adjustable heights, so that no matter your kid’s age or workload, they’ll be supported by you in more ways than one.

Give Them a Bright Idea

Protect from squinting and dim lights! By providing ample lighting for your kid’s workspace, you’ll make it easier to work (you’ll also have to worry about their eyes less). This is an area to have fun with, as there are many different types and styles of desk lamps. Mix it up and provide multiple sources of light, such as hanging string lights underneath a loft or around the desk, as well as a traditional lamp!

Organization Nation

Make sure that your student has all they will need to remain organized. You’ll want to try and understand their organization style. Even if your kid may seem to be a mess, you can help find organization strategies that work for them. Do they like checklists? Do they work well with separate folders for each subject or one binder with all subjects? Trial and error may be your best bet, along with chatting with your kid about what they’re interested in trying.

Generally, tabletop trays and desk organizers will be your best friend for managing flotsam and jetsam in your kid’s workspace. Have different areas dedicated to different subjects, projects or timelines to help organize their tabletop. Organizing their drawers similarly might help as well, but don’t be too overbearing in your organization zeal; your kid is likely interested in making the space feel like their own, rather than another academic place they can’t control.

Student of Style

Lastly, turn the space into something fun! Decorate with things that inspire your child, and that they like! A corkboard or a pegboard placed on the wall above your kid’s desk can allow them to change the artwork, photos and trinkets that inspire them on a regular basis. Encourage them to express their creativity with mood boards or inspiration boards! Letting them figure out who and what they admire may even spark an interest in a subject or passion they hadn’t considered before!

All in all, you’re looking to create a space that your kid will want to work, rather than be forced to work in. It will also give your child a space to work on other projects that excite them, and become a zone of creativity!

Want more back to school ideas? Read our back to school home style blog post.