Brantley Photography
As kids attend school virtually, it’s important for them to have a dedicated space where they can learn undistracted and have all the essentials at their fingertips.
But what if you don’t have enough room or don’t know which space works best? We spoke to interior designer Susan Lachance, of Susan Lachance Interior Design in Boca Raton, about how to best create a functional, comfortable and personalized workstation for online learning.
Establish The Basics
“When creating an at-home workstation, it is best to think about the room’s overall purpose and what activities and work will be done in the space,” Lachance says. Chances are your child won’t have an entire room to themselves, but they do need to be able to focus, so try to find a quiet corner. At the very least, having ample desktop space for writing, working on the computer, etc., is a must. “Another important aspect is to have comfortable, ergonomic seating and task lighting, as posture and lighting are very important for kids doing their best in their assignments,” she notes.
Stay Supplied
Nothing will stop a lesson in its tracks quicker than realizing your child doesn’t have the proper supplies. Incorporate drawer and shelf storage into the space, she suggests, and group everything by category. Just as kids have separate spaces for different kinds of supplies in the classroom, replicate that at home to stay organized and recreate part of the classroom experience. For example, dedicate a drawer to art supplies, another to writing supplies, etc.
Get Creative
Visuals can make a big difference in whether a child wants to be at their workstation in the first place. “To create comfort and interest, kids’ workstations should not be distracting but not too monochromatic,” Lachance says. “Views to nature, daylight and carpet flooring can provide comfort to the room, while pops of fun colors add variety.” Don’t forget to personalize the space, too, she says: “To make it enjoyable, add vibrant comfy throw pillows, display awards and furnish artwork the kid’s created to add encouragement.”