• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • DIY Home Projects
  • Recipes
  • Spring
  • About

Craving Some Creativity logo

menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • DIY Home Projects
  • Home Tour
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Free Email Series
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Home Decorating » Bedroom Decorating Ideas

    Published: Aug 5, 2021 · Modified: Aug 28, 2021 by Rachel

    30+ Homework Station Ideas for Kids and Teens

    This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.
    5914 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet

    Ready to make your family’s after-school or home school routine a bit less stressful? An organized homework station is the answer! I’ve included easy tips for small spaces and multiple kids so everyone can have a quiet, supervised space to study.

    Collage of multiple homework station ideas for kids.
    Contents show
    1 How To Setup a Homework Station
    2 Homework Station Supplies
    3 Homework Station Setup Ideas
    4 Nooks & Crannies
    5 Homework Stations that Foster Creativity
    6 On-the-Go
    7 Room for Two (or more)
    8 Space Saving Solutions

    It’s back to school time again and along with that comes a flood of emotion. While its sad to see our babies growing up, my inner organizing dork gets a boost of excitement. Create a cheerful space with these homework station ideas to inspire learning, even if you’re short on space!

    A homework station is an inviting area that is dedicated to learning, homework, and informal learning like arts and crafts project. Although the kitchen table will suffice for a quick review or a worksheet, we’ve found it’s nice to have a homework zone where school supplies, books, and school calendars can have a dedicated place of their own. This cuts back on clutter and distractions.

    I was inspired to write this post because of what I’ve learned from our frustrations with my son’s severe ADHD. At first, homework hour was a stressful experience full of tears (mine), yelling and every possible distraction under the sun. No exaggeration – 20 minutes of homework regularly took almost 2 hours. The material was never the issue. Home school moms, you have my admiration!

    That’s where a dedicated space and equitable ground rules saved the day (and my sanity!)

    How To Setup a Homework Station

    I’ve learned a lot over several incarnations of our homework space. Creating a basic homework station area is simple and effective with these tips below:

    1. Choose a quiet area. The biggest chance of success is to limit distractions. Preferably with a handy outlet for a laptop, or charging accessories like headphones. For my son, I find that headphones with music (on loop) works wonders.
    2. Stock it with necessities. My son is the king of wasting time looking for misplaced items. Before official homework time, I ask if he has everything he needs to minimize the chances of him getting up from the desk.
    3. Set a routine. Same time + Same space = Success. I personally give my son a short break after school before we get down to business.
    4. Keep ’em close. While we must balance distractions, young children especially need supervision and usually help.
    5. Minimize your own distractions. When my son was in elementary school, I couldn’t continue working from home during homework time. It wasn’t fair to ask him to stay focused, when I myself wasn’t focused on his questions. So I placed a tiny desk in our kitchen. That way I had both eyes on him while I washed dishes or prepped dinner. I was available, yet still productive.

    Homework Station Supplies

    Below is a handy list of supplies that are sometimes useful.

    • Pens and pencils
    • Loose leaf paper for scratch paper or notes
    • A timer or clock
    • A folder with pockets
    • Calculator
    • 1 box of color pencils or crayons
    • Computer and charger
    • Calculator
    • A planner (checklists are the lifeblood of this house!)
    • Craft supplies as necessary – glue sticks and scissors are examples
    • A comfy chair
    dotted line page divider.

    Homework Station Setup Ideas

    Finding the right space is often the most challenging part! I’ve included some inspirational ideas below to get focused. You don’t need to have an elaborate space, but these are great jumping off points to inspire your creativity.

    Nooks & Crannies

    White desk area in an alcove.

    While most of us don’t have room for a dedicated office, there’s usually space to spare like under the staircase, an unused closet, or an awkward alcove. These centrally located spaces are often quiet and can be quite magical.

    Children's desk in a closet with two chairs.

    A small closet can be transformed into a useful desk space. Source: This Old House.

    Black and white homework station under a staircase.

    The unused space underneath a staircase like this desk is also perfect for using as a small homework station. This design utilizes fun lines and strokes to make it visually interesting.

    Homework Stations that Foster Creativity

    I honestly believe that adding a little creativity to the space fosters the desire to learn and leads to great ideas. Classrooms are full of stimulating decorations for a reason.

    Here’s a few creative concepts to enhance your learning environment:

    Homework station with colorful hanging buckets with coloring supplies with white desk against black background with inspirational quotes.
    Source: Dawn Nicole Homework Desk

    Inspirational quotes on a paintable chalkboard from Dawn Nicole add a touch of whimsy and keep students motivated during tough assignments.

    DIY wooden planks attached to white wall for hanging pictures at homework station in office.

    A simple wall Children’s art display like the desk above allows kids to hang their accomplishments and past artwork.

    Colorful kids room with desk area for homework and built in shelves.

    Add a splash of color or maybe some wall flash cards.

    On-the-Go

    While these beautiful spaces are awesome, sometimes we just need a simple option like this portable homework station.

    Portable homework station with school supplies inside.

    More portable homework station ideas:

    • Use a bath caddy to hold supplies so you can grab and go.
    • A tiny desk and rolling cart makes it easy to move supplies where you need them, when you need them.
    • I love my car seat organizer for homework on-the-go. It’s a lifesaver when I have to run errands.
    • This fold away desk vault in a box is brilliant!

    Room for Two (or more)

    If you have more than one child, figure out how they learn best. Do they prefer to study together? Try setting up the desk so it can accommodate everyone. A collaborative study area is less isolating.

    Office for 3 kids with photos above the desks.
    Clamp Style Photo Holders

    I’m a big fan of this option. Everyone has dedicated space and no one is encroaching on the other’s turf.

    Double sided desk with two chairs and a bookshelf between them.

    This desk utilizes a stacking bookshelf to create two separate work areas and provide ample storage for each user. To save space, you could also have the desks face each other with the bookshelf between them.

    White playroom area with plenty of storage and desk space for completing homework with cute world map mural on wall.
    Source: Pottery Barn kids

    This study zone melds learning and fun. It’s an especially fantastic space for large families. The multi-functional area can accommodate everything from homework, to art projects, and amazing Lego builds.

    Colorful craft room with white walls and white cabinets with craft supplies on the wall and a pegboard.
    Craft Room Reveal

    During my own work hours, I share a space with my son. Our craft room makeover project had to include key elements like tandem workspaces, ample organization elements and creative ways to display our greatest hits!

    dotted line page divider.

    PRO TIP: Peg Boards are excellent additions to any Homework Station. They allow you to customize your storage and wall display without limits. Here’s how we built a DIY pegboard organizer.

    Desk area with large pegboard for craft and office supplies.
    dotted line page divider.

    Space Saving Solutions

    House a homework nook in even the tiniest space. These space saving desks are brilliant!

    Wall Mounted Desk
    A wall mounted desk takes up so little space and is sturdy.
    Get It Here
    Wall Mounted Folding desk laid out with supplies on it.
    Ladder Shelf
    A ladder shelf desk is a nice option to pull double duty as a bedside table and study station in a small dorm room.
    Get it at Amazon
    Leaning ladder desk next to a bed in a dorm room.
    Wall mounted
    This super convenient wall mounted floating desk closes up easily for a dorm room or tiny space.
    Get it on Amazon
    Wall mounted secretary desk that saves space.
    Space Saving Shelf Desk
    If you just need a small space to set a laptop near an outlet, this shelf desk is very convenient and affordable.
    $80 on Amazon
    Ladder style space saving desk mounted on the wall.

    Do you have a dedicated studying area in your home? What’s your top tip for handling the daily homework assignments?

    Weekend DIY project. A pegboard organizer in the craft room above the desk workspace.

    Grab our free series "Weekend Home Projects that will Transform Your Life"

    Sign up below to receive updates including free printables, organization tips, home improvement projects, recipes and more!

    More Ideas You May Enjoy

    Colorful craft room with white walls and white cabinets with craft supplies on the wall and a pegboard.
    Craft Room Reveal
    Kid's chore chart with chores on the right side and days on the top row.
    Kid’s Chore Chart
    Collage of outdoor games for kids and adults.
    Outdoor Games
    Masculine gray office with antique desk and black office chair. World clocks on the wall.
    Office Reveal

    PS I love seeing your creations! Be sure to take a photo and tag #cravingcreative on Instagram! You can also stay in touch with me through following me on Instagram, Pinterest, and subscribing to the newsletter!

    « Chicken Thighs Marinade
    Chopped Chickpea Salad »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Bren says

      August 31, 2015 at 11:36 pm

      5 stars
      Love, love, love this collection of ideas. I’m now itching to redecorate/reconfigure!

      Reply
    2. Meredith @ The Palette Muse says

      August 31, 2015 at 10:42 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve got to get our homework station figured out! We can never find pencils, paper, or even the homework! Thanks for the inspiration…

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Headshot of Rachel Beach, the author of Craving Some Creativity.

    Hi, I'm Rachel!

    Creativity makes me energized and fearless. My husband and I have been renovating homes for over a decade and love to share our passion for all things home. Follow along for remodeling tutorials, recipes, and entertaining ideas sure to inspire!

    More about me →


    Popular Projects

    • Midnight blue vanity with brass handles in a grey and white bathroom.
      How to Paint a Bathroom Cabinet the Easy Way
    • Man holding up baseboards for a corner.
      How To Caulk Baseboards like a Pro
    • Behr Midnight blue painted cabinets in a classic old world kitchen with modern white accents and backsplash. Wicker chairs, copper light fixtures, and wood floors add warmth.
      The Best Blue and Navy Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors
    • Organized linen closet with white towels and grey bins on wire shelves.
      How To Beautifully Organize Your Linen Closet
    • White painted kitchen cabinets with stainless drawer pulls.
      How To Paint Cabinets with a Sprayer
    • Completed oak painted stair railing with black handrail and white balusters.
      How to Paint Stair Railings that Last

    Featured On

    Collection of Expert Features including Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, Apartment Therapy, Angie's List, This Old House Magazine, The Huffington Post, Delish, Wayfair, and Real Simple Magazine.

    Most Popular Recipes

    • Restaurant style Mexican white Cheese Dip with pico de gallo topping in wooden bowl on dish cloth with chips.
      Mexican White Cheese Dip {Queso Blanco}
    • Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Sausage makes an easy italian meal for the whole family!
      The BEST Sausage Stuffed Shells
    • Strawberry Poppyseed salad on a platter with blueberries, mandarin oranges, pecans, red onions, and grilled chicken.
      Strawberry Poppyseed Salad (Panera Copycat)
    • Closeup of blueberry muffins on a table.
      Ultimate Lemon Blueberry Muffins
    • Shrimp etouffee in a bowl on a table.
      Shrimp Etouffee {My Louisiana Family Recipe}
    • Two glasses of blackberry sangria with straws on a wood background.
      Blackberry Sangria – Amazing Summer Cocktail Recipe

    Sweet Spring Recipes

    • Stack of lemon bars on parchment paper with top lemon shortbread having a bite removed.
      Lemon Bars
    • Slice of homemade carrot cake on a plate with walnuts sprinkled on top
      Carrot Cake with Pineapple
    • Top down view of Southern Punch Bowl Cake in a trifle bowl.
      Southern Punch Bowl Cake (Potluck Dessert)
    • Key lime pie on blue plate with a slice cut out to show texture.
      Key Lime Pie
    • Strawberries on top of cheesecake layer and rice krispies crust.
      Cheesecake Rice Krispies Bars
    • Banana Chocolate chip muffins in a muffin tin with one muffin broken open to show texture.
      Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy

    Favorites

    • Blog
    • Shop
    • Our Home

    Contact

    • Contact

    Copyright © 2022 Craving Some Creativity