mamabear2three Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 we recently moved into a new house that had a spare room on the main floor that we are going to use as a school room. The problem I am finding is that while it has windows, one is tiny and opens to the screened porch and the other is shaded by a tree with no decent light coming in... so while I have a good overhead light and it's bright, it still feels closed in and kind of like a cave. We were all excited to get a school room so that I could keep the school materials out of the dining room (read - don't have to clean everything up anytime we want to take a break/eat/etc.) but now I feel like I'm going to be claustrophobic in there when it's time to actually start school in a few weeks. Any ideas for making it seem cozy and a fun/exciting place to learn instead of feeling closed off from the house? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethel Mertz Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Mirrors? Floor lamps (with broad spectrum light bulbs) instead of the overhead light? Bare wood floors instead of carpeting? Those are all the ideas I have at the moment. Hopefully, others will have some more ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
underthebridge Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 In a dark room, multiple sources of light are better than one big bright light. How high are your ceilings? A light fixture that shines light upward as well as downward will let the light reflect off the ceiling and make the room seem much brighter than a bright light shining only downward. If you have bookcases lining the walls you can put upward lighting on top. I can't post links at the moment but I will come back later to do so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Can you swap your dining room with the school room? If not maybe add some small house plants and a floor lamp. What are the dimensions for your school room? We didn't use the overhead light as it cast shadows on my kids study tables so they have desk lamps instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodland Mist Academy Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Is it possible to do school on the screened porch? That would be my first choice. If that is not possible, I would seriously consider swapping rooms and using a different room for the school room. If that were not an option, I would use many lamps to add a cozy feel. I would also try to come up with a theme for the room that nurtures the cozy feeling. Is an outdoorsy mural on a wall or two possible? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamabear2three Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 The room is approximately 9x12 feet. Yes the shadows are a problem I didn't think of that - but I do have desk lamps that I can use. I would switch the dining room and school room in a heartbeat except the school room is on the other opposite side of the house and the dining room is right off of the kitchen, so it would be weird to bring food through the hall, past the stairs and into the dining room... also the dining room opens into the living room so when we have all our family over we can extend the table as far as we need to, so that won't work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamabear2three Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 the screened porch is not an all season room, so that won't work (ah to live in an area where we could do school outside every day!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamabear2three Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 I think I might have too many of the wrong textrues in the room and it might be too crowded - it's hardwood floor with a small area rug, a table for book work and projects and a small craft table for the little ones, plus the built-in bookshelves and all the books. Let me take a couple pictures and see if I can figure out how to upload them. That might help. It's overcrowded, I think, too. give me a few minutes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helena Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Can you trim the tree? -Fresh cut flowers or a terrarium to bring some life in -Club chair/ottoman with a small electric fireplace (embrace the cave) -a good source of solid light with warm accent lighting to give off an amber glow -flower boxes outside widows -window treatments that maximize light and make the windows look smart (not old "meh" curtains) -a warm yellow coat of paint -a nice big piece of art on the wall that conveys the feeling you wish the classroom naturally had Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamabear2three Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 Can you trim the tree? -Fresh cut flowers or a terrarium to bring some life in -Club chair/ottoman with a small electric fireplace (embrace the cave) -a good source of solid light with warm accent lighting to give off an amber glow -flower boxes outside widows -window treatments that maximize light and make the windows look smart (not old "meh" curtains) -a warm yellow coat of paint -a nice big piece of art on the wall that conveys the feeling you wish the classroom naturally had paint and curtains might definitely help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamabear2three Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 Ok here are the pictures (I think cleaning it up and getting rid of the mess would help some too - when I unpacked these boxes I just kind of got everything on a shelf as quickly as possible to get rid of the boxes... we only just moved in June). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethel Mertz Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 If you're kids are little, I'd get rid of the printer, scanner, etc (move them to a different part of the house). I'd try to organize the shelves more efficiently. If you can, whatever you are not using actively this year, store it away. I might get rid of the rug (not sure about that). I'd put a table (rectangular or square if you can) in the middle of the room. I'd also do the read alouds in the living room, thus eliminating the need for comfy, cuddle-up-type furniture in the homeschool room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodland Mist Academy Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Is it just the pictures, or is the side of the room with the shelves significantly brighter? How open are you to rearranging furniture? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodland Mist Academy Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 What are the age ranges of your children? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lang Syne Boardie Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I suggest using the room a different way. You have soooo much homeschool stuff, and it's only going to grow as your dc grow. What if you create a homeschool resource room and plan to do your actual lessons out in the living rooms? Keep your bookshelves there. Set up deliberate areas to store things by category: Math, science, art, school supplies, whatever, possibly in closed cupboards for neatness. Buy a large rolling cart and make a place in your resource room to keep it. Add a milk crate or tote for each of your students and one for yourself. Every morning, go into the resource room and get what you need for the day and roll it out to the kitchen/dining room/living room and do your school in the brighter, more open spaces. At 3:30 collect everything, put it on the cart, and roll it back. Spend a few minutes putting things away and you're done. (Leave the things that are carried to the next day in their totes.) So other than school times, the rest of your house does not look like a schoolroom. You have a place for everything, and you have an easy-peasy system for transporting what you need AND cleaning up at the end of the school day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodland Mist Academy Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Another option would be to move some of the supplies out of the room. We choose to have a dedicated study with storage elsewhere. Is there a closet, basement, armoire, or some other storage place you could use? A study is important to us, but I think Tibbie has made a great suggestion if you don't have your heart set on a dedicated school room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawthorne44 Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I think it looks happy. But, then perfection gives me the hives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamabear2three Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 lol, I wish perfection gave me hives!!! I went from living in a tiny space to a large space but inherited a lot of stuff in the move...and books are my weakness. My kids are young - oldest going into 1st but with scattered high skills up through 5th grade level. Middle is 3 and teaching herself letters, youngest is 18 months. I love the idea of using a rolling cart and making the room a resource room though, I'll have to think on that! Oh and yes, I'm up to rearranging, the problem is the bookshelves are all bolted together and to the wall so removing them is a really big chore. I've already rearranged the tables and other stuff twice. Edited to add: Some of the supplies are for older grades that I have received from my mom or other sources... so I can pare down on what is in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaughingCat Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Is that door by the desk the door into the room or a closet? If there is no door by the little kids table I would move the bigger table over there so that it could be pulled out into the middle of the room or pushed back against the wall - so books etc are easily reached and leaves a nice big open space and wall area by the door. Or if the door is actually over by the kiddie table I would get rid of the rubbermaid drawers and move the big table over there with the same idea. You could also consider turning it so that the short end was against the wall if you didn't want to be pulling it in and out (or just leave it in the middle as Ethel Mertz suggests) --- The important part is that it would open up space in the corner that is pretty blocked right now. Also, I have a much bigger room than that (although not solely dedicated) and I have never been able to find a really useable place for my easel style chalkboard/whiteboard - it is currently in the garage. I would also possibly get rid of the kids table and get some seats the little ones can use to sit at the big table. Or maybe have a little table that could be folded up or pushed under the big table (that would be harder with your relatively small 'big' table). This one depends on how much they use the little table - my older loved her little table but my younger wanted to be with us at the big table. If they are not using it every day I would get rid of it and have more of a Montessori style play area on the rug (by montesorri style I mean bins they can take out and play with on a little rug and then and put away and get another one) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamabear2three Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 the door is by the little kid table... I am going to play around with where the table goes, that might work. I will say that I love the idea of the montessori play area, I will have to think on that and see if I can make that work instead of the little table... Yay for thoughts in a positive direction! I felt so stuck, I am terrible at interior decorating! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodland Mist Academy Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Given the ages of the children, I would try to make as much floor space as possible. My daughter used a little lap desk like the one pictured for years. We would sit on the floor to do her some of her written work. I don't see much use for a table or desk at those ages. I like the idea of stations and comfy floor seating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodland Mist Academy Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I haven't read the other posts carefully, so this might be a repeat. I would move all the books and supplies to upper shelves (or store elsewhere) and keep kid friendly books and activities on the lower book shelves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nature girl Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 If you're interested in Montessori bins, here's a great example of how they can be set up and used. (She has a series of posts describing what she's put in each bin throughout the year.) Great for your younger kids, but could also probably be modified with fun activities for your oldest. http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.net/2013/08/all-by-myself-preschool-boxes/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nature girl Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Also meant to add, if you really want to make the room seem more fun and exciting for children, I'd add more color. If you take out a lot of the clutter on the bookshelves (yes I'm calling books clutter! :ohmy: ) you could add colorful paper to the backs of the shelves (just with double sided Scotch tape so it's removable) and/or add some fun/funky decorations. Your wall space is limited, but I'd consider adding flags or something similar that's more colorful, as well as a brighter rug and bright, friendly curtains. Right now because everything is so neutral, there's nothing to distract your eyes from the clutter so it just feels overwhelming and a little stressful... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamabear2three Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 I'm going to declutter the shelves for sure, there's a lot in there that I just don't need out right now and what is out could be organized better. I like the table because it give me the chance to do messy crafts without my youngest getting into it, but removing the kid table and letting the bigger table stick out into the room actually made a lot of sense. Ok give me some time to decluttter and take some stuff out and then I'll post a new picture to see what you guys think. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2OandE Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Your lighting lookso fine. Reduce the amount of things so the light can flow through the room. Anything you aren't going to use this year purge or store elsewhere. Our school room is 10x10 and I found limiting ourselves made it more inviting. I keep a basket under my desk and when we are done with a book in it goes. By end of the year the room is ready to be restocked for following year. Here are a few pics of our small space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
underthebridge Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I agree- if you would like to use this room as a work room, the move out some of the bookcases and keep only the essential there. That will give you wall space for a whiteboard and more room in general. I would also pare down the chairs and surfaces in the room. One big work surface and slimmer lighter chairs will help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrairieSong Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Yes, move out the stuff you're not using now and paint the walls a pale yellow color. I might even consider painting the shelves white or maybe getting some bins in white or cheery colors to brighten up the shelves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coco_Clark Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I would use this room as a resource room, like mentioned. Although I'd call it a library. Always wanted a library ;). I'd also go through everything with a fine tooth comb. Is it useful? Is it beautiful? By useful I mean will YOU actually use it? By beautiful I mean do you want to stare at it everyday. I know many women that keep many years worth of curricula they never end up using. Just because its free doesnt mean you need to let it clutter your space. Just my two cents. I'm also noticing that your top shelves are all stuffed full while the bottom ones look emptier. Visually, your eyes will fall on the upper shelves more, so I'd switch that. I'd also get some bookends. Having all the books upright will help more than you think. How often do you use the printer/scanner/laminator? Can they go away in a closet or do they need to stay in arms reach? Is your husband handy? Could he add doors to the bottom shelves? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamabear2three Posted August 1, 2014 Author Share Posted August 1, 2014 Your lighting lookso fine. Reduce the amount of things so the light can flow through the room. Anything you aren't going to use this year purge or store elsewhere. Our school room is 10x10 and I found limiting ourselves made it more inviting. I keep a basket under my desk and when we are done with a book in it goes. By end of the year the room is ready to be restocked for following year. Here are a few pics of our small space. I love your pictures! They are so inspirational! I'm going to go through everything and see what I want to do... I have some other storage areas I can utilize, so we'll see. I do tend to use a lot of different resources during the school year because I put my own curriculum together for some stuff and tend to stray from other curricula, but I know I can pare down a lot! I also need to clean/polish the hardwood, it feels gritty even when vacuumed clean. I would use this room as a resource room, like mentioned. Although I'd call it a library. Always wanted a library ;). I'd also go through everything with a fine tooth comb. Is it useful? Is it beautiful? By useful I mean will YOU actually use it? By beautiful I mean do you want to stare at it everyday. I know many women that keep many years worth of curricula they never end up using. Just because its free doesnt mean you need to let it clutter your space. Just my two cents. I'm also noticing that your top shelves are all stuffed full while the bottom ones look emptier. Visually, your eyes will fall on the upper shelves more, so I'd switch that. I'd also get some bookends. Having all the books upright will help more than you think. How often do you use the printer/scanner/laminator? Can they go away in a closet or do they need to stay in arms reach? Is your husband handy? Could he add doors to the bottom shelves? The idea of a library does appeal... I've always wanted one too! Although what I want is wall to wall bookshelves in a deep mahogany and one of those rolling ladders to get books and a window seat to read in, full of pillows and lovely natural light! But yes, I will cut the clutter down a lot. I also love the idea of doors on the bottom shelves. My husband is quite handy... he's not gonna be thrilled about a new project added to his list (new house always comes with a lot of DIY projects) but he tends to jump on stuff for me pretty quick when I ask nice :Angel_anim: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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