Each of the homeschool spaces below earns an A-plus for challenging work. Not only are they soothing, beautiful and clutter-free, but they also provide intellectual stimulation — not a simple task for even the very experienced designer or DIY-er. Here’s a look at four houses that do not just aid their owners teach their kids, but help to teach us also.
Julie Ranee Photography
1. Industrial Farmhouse in Ohio
This family’s homeschool is located in a loft above the kitchen. Homeowner and photographer Julie Ranee purchased the hammock on a trip to Ecuador 22 years ago. “I’ve been carting the hammock around for so long and now I’ve finally put it to good use. The kids love using a relaxing and new reading nook,” states Ranee.
Julie Ranee Photography
A farmer’s table and four blue chairs from Target compose the major gathering room for Ranee’s three kids.
Hint: if you’re able to, carve out a dedicated space for homeschooling. The physical and visual separation between the learning region and the remainder of the house helps kids mentally prepare for a day’s work if they enter the school distance.
Julie Ranee Photography
Ranee, an enthusiastic DIY-er, salvaged an old wooden electric spool left from her house’s construction. She uses it as a shelf for textbooks and other reading material.
Julie Ranee Photography
This old barn torso, bought for $10 in an auction, is a homeschooler’s dream. Ranee spray painted the drawers metallic silver and black; every drawer is large enough to store documents and papers.
Julie Ranee Photography
Hint: Sprinkle inspiring and inviting messages throughout your school region to lift the kids’ spirits.
Amy Renea
2. Conventional house in Pennsylvania
Interior designer Darlene Weir is about flexible seating options. Though her boys use a conventional chair and desk set up for writing assignments, they perform virtually all of their reading, researching and memorizing together on a beanbag, preferring to break away from the heirloom table handed down from Weir’s husband’s family.
Says Weir,”My boys love drawing and doing math on the floor. Flexibility is a perk of homeschooling, so why not work on the floor once in a while?”
Hint: If you opt for a conventional chalkboard, try to find one that is antique — the chalk won’t squeak as you write.
Amy Renea
Homeschooling calls for several tiny things: glue sticks, tape, crayons, pipe cleaners and more. Weir finds storage and storage clutter-control comfort in baskets. “Baskets leave things readily accessible, but they conceal the distinct miniature parts from perspective,” she states.
Weir additionally uses the workbox system, where all her kids has his own workbox that has his individual assignments for the day. Each child returns all things to the box when finished. “The machine keeps the daily newspapers manageable,” says Weir.
Hint: Although it’s great to have a designated homeschool area like this, Weir likes to break up the monotony of daily education by changing to a different place in the house occasionally. “Sometimes we’do school’ from the kitchen because it divides the speed; the new setting reinvigorates us,” says Weir.
Natasha Barrault Design
3. ‘Gentle Modern’ Home School in Malibu
Interior designer Natasha Barrault and architect-designer Hervé Daridan made this family house with education in your mind.
“We utilized the present rooms of the house and enabled each space to change to the demands of the school. In essence, the chambers could actually shape-shift [into ] a homeschool in the morning and then return to being a normal living room or dining room for the remainder of the moment,” states Barrault.
This picture shows a part of the living space, used as the language arts room when school is in session.
Hint: Don’t underestimate the ability of slipcovers and furniture protections. Barrault added specially designed and elegantly shielded decor and furnishings so that every piece can survive the wear and tear of school days.
Natasha Barrault Design
Barrault and Daridan custom made fabric-covered boxes with metal frames to fit from the bookcases. Each box is full of letters, numbers, toys and other educational products.
Natasha Barrault Design
“The customer did not need to sacrifice the beauty of every room. I think we proved that practicality and prioritizing kid-related activities in the house aren’t detrimental to good home layout,” states Barrault.
Hint: Homeschools don’t necessarily need to be full of dispensable furniture. Beautiful, elegant interiors can serve these requirements; you just need to find the most flexible, flexible pieces.
Amy’s Affordable Interiors
4. Homeschool Remodel in Florida
Interior designer Amy Steenson’s homeschool works really difficult for her loved ones. The efficient space does triple duty as a school, a home office and a guest room for friends and loved ones.
Hint: Maximize your distance by aligning furniture from the walls, freeing up the center of the space for reading and creative group activities.
Amy’s Affordable Interiors
Steenson enjoys versatile storage options, such as table legs with storage room and wall-hung shelves and cups. “Locate storage boxes that can fit under desks, sofas and tables, and elastic furniture options like end tables that twice as filing cabinets,” she states.
Hint: Source furniture from other Areas of the house. A futon, sleeper or daybed sofa may be a good addition to a homeschool. “This sofa is a place where my kids and I will read together during the school day, but also doubles as a full-size bed we could use for seeing guests,” states Steenson.
ers, do you own a homeschool? Tell us about your style challenges and reveal images from the Remarks section below.
More:
Children’ Study Spaces Make High Marks
Get Your House Back-to-School Ready