Need homeschool room ideas for small spaces? These surprising homeschool room setup ideas and home study ideas for small spaces detail the must haves for the homeschool room spaces for creativity and inspiration and what you can leave out of your small space homeschool set up! Don’t miss our homeschool organization hacks, awesome spaces to inspire learning (with homeschooling room pictures!), and at home classroom ideas and tips!
AMAZING HOMESCHOOL ROOM IDEAS FOR SMALL SPACES
Finding a functional homeschooling space or setting up a homeschooling classroom can be difficult, especially if you’re living in a small apartment or dealing with limited small spaces in your house. So, what are small space homeschool setup ideas that will inspire learning and fun?
How do you set up small space for homeschooling?
How To Homeschool In A Small Space or a Small House:
- For the basics of a homeschool classroom and setting up for homeschool, use a portable homeschooling cart or utilize bins in bookshelves or closets to store homeschool supplies and books out of the way when not in use.
- Get only the homeschool supplies that you need. (Don’t fall down the perfect Pinterest homeschool room hole!)
- Look around: what are unused spaces in your home? Those can be converted to homeschool classroom spaces — even behind doors and inside of closets classrooms! (Yes, a homeschool classroom even in a super small space!)
- DIY Homeschool Room Tip: Use a canopy tent to designate a homeschool area when you don’t have an extra room.
- Hanging wall organizers look great and keep supplies organized and uncluttered.
- For a home classroom design, let go of your expectations of making a traditional classroom set up and instead observe how your kids best learn (and then create that!).
- A chalkboard wall or small hanging chalkboard is trendy, looks great, and can be used for assignments, lessons, and weekly school calendars / monthly events.
- Use dual purpose homeschool decor ideas. Cool charts and maps look great on walls as decorations, but are also functional for learning.
- You don’t necessarily need homeschooling furniture. Consider your homeschool desk setup: do you really need a desk or do your kids mostly do work on the floor, their bed or at the kitchen table?
- Think outside of the traditional classroom spacer and use homeschool corner ideas (like reading corners) to learn.
- Homeschool without a room by setting up a command center and learning throughout your home (and even outside!).
- Get creative and use stool storage, ottomans, chests, and other furniture or decorative items to store homeschool supplies when not in use.
Don’t miss the full homeschool decor ideas, homeschool organization tips / homeschool organization ideas, homeschooling in a small space and DIY homeschool room ideas, and even homeschooling without a school room ideas below!
Home school room ideas complete with homeschool room pictures to rock your homeschooling no matter the size of your space!
You’ll love these DIY homeschool ideas and fun ways to spruce up a homeschool environment!
ALSO CHECK OUT: Homeschool Room Ideas on a Budget
Let’s get to our home classroom setup ideas — whether you’re looking to redecorate your own homeschool room for the new school year or just looking for some creative storage ideas for small spaces for school books and art supply items!
You’ll be surprised how you don’t need that much space for these DIY homeschool room ideas!
(And you don’t even need to be an interior design professional!)
Amazing Small Homeschool Room Ideas You Have To See To Believe
Small Homeschool Classroom Idea #1: Closet Classroom
Almost everyone has some kind of closet space in their home.
What if I told you that one of my favorite space-saving ideas is to put a homeschool classroom in a closet and use it for a tiny homeschooling area for school time?
(I see that homeschool mom look you’re giving me right now…)
And, it doesn’t even need to be a walk-in closet (although those make great homeschool rooms!), it can be a small coat closet or linen closet in the hall.
This idea for a small space classroom gives a secluded area for your homeschoolers to complete their work, and then you can close away the homeschool classroom when it’s not in use.
(Plus, it’s fun for the kids because it’s kinda like their own secret room.)
Using the top shelf for homeschool materials is a bonus!
Another great thing about a closet classroom is that you and the kids can decorate it however you want without worrying whether or not it stays with your decorating scheme.
(So, go crazy with colors and chalkboard paint!)
Just close the door or curtain when kids are finished with their studies.
This is one of the best homeschool setup ideas for small homes and works great for younger kids / preschool / kindergarten homeschool or even homeschooling teens and high school supplies!
(A very small classroom can still be functional!)
Small Homeschool Classroom Idea #2: Drop Down Desk
Want a secret homeschool idea?
The drop-down desk.
The drop-down desk is a perfect way to have a homeschool study area in a small space or a small nook and — hand’s down — of of THE BEST homeschool desk ideas for small spaces and minimalist homeschool room needs.
This desk folds up and out of the way when not in use and can be put in almost any size nook, cranny, or wall space for a transitional homeschool area in a corner of a room.
If you add shelving above the desk, you have a full study area with home school supplies handy!
We love this small, wall-mounted desk with shelving for extra homeschool supplies storage.
If you’re looking for something a little larger for craft and art projects or to have enough room for multiple homeschool students, try this option (especially if you’re looking for homeschool table ideas!).
You can also get full foldup desks that can easily be stored away for easy access around the room when not homeschooling.
This gives you a maximum homeschool work area that you can fold up and slide out of the way after school work and make room for guests or play time.
Small Homeschool Classroom Idea #3: Hallway Homeschool Classroom
If you have a hallway, guess what? You probably have room for a homeschool space!
It may not be the best homeschool room choice or most convenient area, but you can put a study space in a wider hallway.
The trick for adding a study space to a hallway is to go long and lean.
Add a long (less wide) desk like this one with a stool (instead of a chair) that can be tucked away under the desk when not in use.
I also love this fold-out wall desk because it converts into a full desk with plenty of storage space for home school supplies. Then, you close it up and it just looks like a shelving unit in your hallway!
Schoolroom Ideas Tip: Although they can be pricey, if you need a white board, bulletin board, or chalkboard, you can get the ones that close with doors so they look like shelving when not in use.
Small Homeschool Classroom Idea #4: Corner Classroom
Everyone has that nook of unusable space somewhere in their house — no matter the size of your house or apartment or whatever.
Don’t be afraid to carve out that unusable corner or area and transform it to your homeschool classroom space! (You don’t need a large space for important things for homeschool!)
You may have to get creative ways and craft a DIY homeschool desk so that it fits the space (or get a flip down desk), but use your imagination!
Something as simple as a board cut to the size of the space and a couple of crates makes a great study desk area and great place for homeschooling without a separate room.
Maximize the space by adding inexpensive blackboard wallpaper (or a whiteboard) to the wall and some shelving for storage.
CLICK TO SEE MORE HOMESCHOOL ROOM TIPS AND TRICKS FOR A LITTLE HELP!
Small Homeschool Classroom Idea #5: Understair Homeschool Classroom
Do you have stairs at your place?
If so, chances are there’s a closet or space that can be converted under the stairs as your dedicated homeschool room space.
(We’re always looking for under stairs storage ideas, but what about under stairs study area of your home?)
That extra space under stairs is gold!
Check out how clever (and cool) this space is for homeschooling…
I love how they extended low bookshelves under that unusable window space and made it completely functional for storage and even plenty of room for additional study space!
Also, leaving the stairs open (instead of closing them in) was a genius move for adding additional storage in tight spaces — perfect for all those homeschooling books!
Even if your under stair space is all walled up, you still might be able to open it up and make it usable.
Or, if you have a closet under the stairs, convert it to the homeschool hideout!
We made our under the stairs closet into the VIP reading corner with fun lights and a round foldout chair and my daughter uses it for reading regularly!
TIP: If your closet doesn’t have electricity (like ours), use pull lights like these.
Small Homeschool Classroom Idea #6: Landing Space Classroom
If you have an upstairs, you may also have some kind of landing space at the top of the stairs. If so, you might be able to snag that space for a homeschool classroom area.
Simply adding a small desk to that area can make a perfect study space!
Small Homeschool Classroom Idea #7: Homeschool Space in Bedroom
Sometimes, we overlook the most obvious places to put a study area — in a child’s bedroom!
We think that we have to separate the bedroom for sleeping from a study space… and that’s just not true.
(Your child will learn as much sitting on the bed as at a desk!)
Tips for homeschooling in a bedroom:
- Downsize the bed in order to make room for a desk or the furniture for homeschool.
- Use a convertible bed (like a futon, pull out bed, etc.) to add space for a desk or study area.
- Select bunk beds with storage stairs.
- Use ample wall shelves for storage.
- Switch to a loft bed in order to have space underneath for a study desk or learning area.
- Consider if you really need a desk. A couple of reading cushions and bins for storage may work well for you!
- Use different colors to make homeschooling in a bedroom fun!
Want more classroom bedroom ideas?
DON’T MISS THE FULL HOMESCHOOL BLOG POST:
How To Put a Homeschool Space in Bedroom
Small Homeschool Classroom Idea #8: Kitchen Homeschool Classroom or Homeschooling in Dining Room
A kitchen classroom or dining room homeschool room is a great idea because the kids can be working on their studies or crafts while you are cooking or doing other things in the kitchen, but you are still near and available for questions and assistance.
And, you don’t need a huge amount of space for a kitchen classroom!
(Your dining room table that only gets used a few times a year makes a great home school space!)
In the picture, they went for function over everything else and added convertible shelving to the end of the small dining room area at the end of the kitchen.
(Don’t forget that shelving above desks adds good vertical space for storage and is out of the way!)
They also added a rolling cabinet that can hold file folders, construction paper, notebooks, books, math manipulatives, and pens, colored pencils, pencils (Ticonderoga *wink*), crayons, cutting scissors, erasers, etc.
It can even be moved over to the round table when extra study space is needed!
I love the movable shelving idea where you can adjust them based on size and type of books and supplies for a functional designated space for school!
How do I organize my homeschool dining room?
- Use low shelves with pull out bins to store books and homeschool supplies when not in use. The shorter shelves allow kids to get the bins in and out alone.
- Upgrade your lighting (or add table lamps) for an optimal study space homeschool design.
- Use functional wall art that looks good in the dining room, but also teaches something. (Think: cool, framed world map.)
- Add a storage cabinet with doors and shelves (we like this one for a homeschool storage cabinet) to hide away all different kinds of homeschooling supplies, but it still looks nice when you use your dining for dining.
Functional homeschool dining room ideas will also depend a lot on whether you need your dining room for dual purpose (eating and home schooling) or you can convert it completely to small homeschool classrooms.
Small Homeschool Classroom Idea #9: Unusable Spaces
We all have those unusable spaces in our homes: in front of doors, under slanted ceilings that you can’t walk under, or even behind doors.
Every single one of these areas can be converted to some form of a homeschooling room or study space!
Remember: You don’t need a lot of room. You just need to use creative ideas to create a functional learning space!
One of the biggest mistakes we make in creating a homeschool spaces is that we think we need an entire room for homeschooling, when we may just need a corner in a small room or a little room for homeschooling supplies.
In most cases, kids just want to feel like they have their own space to hang out!
Unconventional Homeschool Space Ideas:
- Create reading nooks with fun floor pillows instead of desks for a great way to give kids their own space at minimal extra cost for them to snuggle down with a good book
LEARN MORE ABOUT SETTING UP A READING NOOK
- Use a foldable desk (with lift up storage area like this) that can be stored away when not in use
- Use a reading tent (that can be easily taken down as needed) as a homeschool designated room (makes for unique and super cozy homeschool rooms!) Another of my favorite at home learning space ideas!
- Hang a pod chair (from ceiling) in a corner for private reading and study time to make learning fun or use a comfy chair in a corner with a basket that holds supplies and books
- Putting a fold down desk in a laundry room can provide a ton of privacy (one of my favorite creative ideas!)
- Do you work from home? Place a separate space for learning in your home office!
Have low slanted ceilings that makes space against the walls unusable?
Push desks as far as they go against the wall or put low shelf cubbies like this for storage, craft supplies, and books.
(It will give you plenty of space, trust me!)
Is there a utility closet or a door to a space that is rarely used?
Don’t be afraid to put a desk in front of it / by it and use it for
It can easily be slid out of the way when you need access to that door.
(NOTE: Don’t block entrance and exit doors or emergency escapes!)
Use fun shelving to hold homeschool curriculum books, and supplies.
Small Homeschool Classroom Idea #10: Homeschooling Without A Room
I’m going to let you in on a little secret (especially if you’re new to homeschooling / this is your first time): you really don’t need a designated homeschool room or a dedicated space for home schooling for your child’s education at home, especially if you’re short on space in your home.
(YES! You really can homeschool without a room!)
Your kids will learn wherever they land: the floor, the kitchen table, their bed, out on the porch or balcony… and many more places!
So, don’t stress too much about homeschool workspace ideas!
However, if you’re homeschooling without a room, here are the things that will make your homeschool classroom setup in a dining room, at the dining table, or in a kitchen easier…
Tips For Homeschooling Without A School Room:
- Create a command station with a rolling supply cart like this to hold art supplies, school supplies, books and more. You (or the kids) can move the rolling cart wherever they are in the house and it can be tucked away in a corner or closet when not in use.
- Use disguised home decor as learning tools. (Yep! This tip again!) Maps, charts, and diagrams all make great art for your home and double as learning tools.
- Have a centralized location for all chargers and make a rule that they cannot be removed. (This saves so much time when you don’t have a designated homeschool classroom!) At the end of the day, all tablets, laptops, and phones need to be plugged so they are charged and ready for the next day. (We love charging stations like this for multi-device families!)
- Use bins and baskets for each child. Tuck away the week’s learning (or a month of homeschooling lessons) in each basket or bin. When they child is doing home school, they can take the basket or bin from a shelf and then put it back when they’re finished.
- Let go of thinking you need to print every assignment and free printable because stacks of homeschool assignments will quickly overtake your home. Do as much online as you can!
- Make it a rule that all homeschool items must be cleaned away and organized at the end of each home school day. This is one of the most important homeschool organization ideas for small spaces!
- Declutter, organize, and get rid of things every single week. This is the only way that homeschooling lessons and supplies won’t takeover your house!
- Use places like Facebook Marketplace and free groups on Facebook to find free and super cheap school organizers, desks, shelving units and more to make a budget-friendly homeschool setup for small spaces!
(These tips work for family room / homeschool living room ideas, too!)
So, to recap…
How do I set up a small homeschool room?
Homeschooling Without A Dedicated School Room:
- You can homeschool in a limited amount of space (we show you how!).
- Understand where you will teach, what you will teach and how you will teach.
- Stick with only essential tools, books, and supplies. (Nothing more so that you’re only storing what you use!)
- Use baskets that fit in with your decorating style to house home school supplies, books, folders, and educational aids and learning toys.
- Flip down wall desks can save room and provide an essential learning space.
- Add homeschooling supplies and equipment as a functional part of your home decor.
- Set up a command center with a rolling supplies cart that can be moved to whatever is your homeschool room for the day. (Great homeschool ideas room supplies tip!)
- Reading nooks can be a comfortable, casual space that makes kids feel like they have their own learning area. (TIP: Clip-on lighting can provide extra light no matter where kids study!)
- Always clean and organize as you go! After each lesson or project, the rule should be to store everything away before moving on to something else. One of the most important rules for a small homeschool environment!
The biggest thing to remember is to tailor your homeschool area setup to your family’s homeschooling needs (not what you see on Pinterest homeschool boards!).
I hope some of these ideas make you realize that your homeschool space can work! Have fun with your small spaces DIY homeschool project and setting up homeschool classroom!
My wife gave our two sons a home education.
The practice of home education has been rapidly increasing for over the last decade. And in light of digital technology and now mandates, a broader demographic has been exposed to remote education.
Most families however do not have well-designed multifunctional educational spaces in their homes. It is my belief that “tiny schools” in the backyard are a positive solution to many home education challenges. Thank you for this terrific resource!
The ideas are spot on and creative. Loved all the homeschooling ideas. Innovative classroom furniture and school infrastructure will help provide a great learning environment that will help students like their studies. It is a great way to make children take education seriously. Creative and innovative accessories, and furniture will help a lot.