How To Create A Study Space At Home

This post was created in partnership with Wayfair. If you buy something using a link on this page, Forbes may also receive a small share of that sale.

We’ve partnered with Wayfair, the go-to destination for all things home décor- and appliance-related, to bring you smart tips for creating a study space that’s both stylish and conducive to learning. From practical work tables to trendy task lamps and décor, Wayfair’s massive collection of home goods can help you incorporate these tips into your child’s homework habitat.

Motivating your kids to get their homework done may sometimes feel like an uphill battle—but an inviting and quiet dedicated workspace can help minimize distractions and encourage productivity. To help you set them up for success this school year, we’ve matched expert-approved interior design tips with complementary products from Wayfair. And thanks to the mega retailer’s Back to School Sale, you can score these items and many more at discounts of up to 60%.

During Wayfair's Back to School Sale, you can take up to 60% off a range of items for your dorm room ... [+] or apartment.

Kerri Page, the design director of Brownstone Boys and owner of Kerri Page Designs, is the mind behind some of the chicest apartment interiors in Brooklyn. And as a mother of two, Page is no stranger to work-friendly décor: She says the key to a successful study sanctuary is carving out a specific work area so that hangout time and homework time feel distinct from one another, even if they happen in the same room. Here are Page’s 10 expert tips on how to create a study spot that kids will look forward to using.

One study suggests that blue may be the best color for a study nook.

One way to differentiate a study location from the rest of your living quarters is to add a different color to the wall in that area. “I’m seeing a lot of bold graphics and colors in kids’ rooms,” says Page. “More dark, bold colors and less of that vibrant [color]

Wayfair

This patterned vinyl wallpaper features the youthful energy of watercolor paint in focus-friendly blue stripes. The wallpaper is peel-and-stick, making it both rental appropriate and compatible with surfaces that you may want to alter more frequently, like bookcases or desktops. Each adhesive-backed roll is 2 feet wide and 18 feet long, covering a total of 36 square feet of wall area.

Rugs can help to establish a visual border around a workspace.

Page suggests adding a rug or a runner to the designated study area as another way to differentiate it from the rest of the room. It’s an element that can add a pop of personality without introducing distractions, and it creates a clutter-free visual border around the workspace.

Wayfair

This colorful rug from Andover Mills features wide geometric lines and comes in 18 different size and shape combinations, including octagons, rectangles and runners. Its 0.75-inch-high pile height is designed to provide comfort underfoot. And it’s made of stain-resistant yarn that helps protect the rug from drops and spills.

Caring for plants can be a rewarding and enjoyable chore for kids.

Research shows that indoor plants may not only improve concentration and memory, but also reduce stress in school-aged children. “There’s something to be said about nurturing a plant and watching it grow, especially in a space where one is nurturing their mind,” says Page. Caring for plants can teach children about responsibility and may be a more rewarding chore than doing the dishes.

Wayfair

Add some greenery and a dash of whimsy to any study sanctuary with this set of small ceramic animal planters. Each critter-inspired planter is approximately 3 inches in diameter and can contain seedlings or low-maintenance plants like these small succulents.

Lofted beds can help to distinguish spaces for work and rest.

Page emphasizes the importance of keeping potential distractions, like beds or gaming systems, out of sight in the study area. “Lofted beds are really great for that because [they’re] right under your sleeping area, so you can’t even see the temptation,” she says.

Wayfair

This solid-wood lofted bed comes with a built-in desk below, creating a distraction-free study zone without sacrificing square footage. While the desk is an ample 62 inches wide and takes up the bulk of the lower area, the frame also contains a built-in display shelf and a four- or six-drawer chest, depending on whether you opt for the twin or full size. It also comes in either an all-white or a dark-wood finish.

Task boards and calendars became popular with the rise of online learning to help kids stay focused ... [+] and organized.

Take a note from the teacher’s book and post assignments and schedules on the wall for easy reference. “We saw this a lot when the pandemic started,” says Page. “As people adapted to online learning, task boards and calendars—which are great for organization—became popular in kids’ rooms.”

Wayfair

This 20 x 16-inch black dry-erase board has the look of a vintage schoolhouse chalkboard, but without the mess. It’s neatly broken up into three segments: a weekly calendar, a spot for general notes and a to-do list to keep priorities at eye level. Chalk-like white dry-erase markers are included, but wall-mounting equipment must be purchased separately. And cleanup is a breeze: Just wipe it down with a damp cloth and start fresh whenever necessary.

A timer or hourglass can help your kid stay off their phone and other devices while they work.

While screen time can work as a reward after your kid has finished their homework, it’s important to limit phone usage during study hours. Page suggests setting a timer for phone breaks—and ideally not the timer on a smartphone. Find a cute timer or hourglass to help them commit to tech-free study time.

Wayfair

This old-fashioned hourglass functions as a 60-minute timer that can help visually pace work and play intervals. It’s roughly 17 inches tall and features an iron frame that is designed for bold looks and to protect the glass from accidents.

Having furniture that doubles as storage can help keep dedicated workspaces free from clutter.

Page advises that it’s important to have furniture and accessories that double as storage. “Shelving on the wall is great for books and miscellaneous décor items,” she says. It also helps keep the work surface open and clear of clutter.

Wayfair

Each wood shelf on this wall-mounted bookcase is 8 inches deep and 23 inches long, creating sufficient storage for books, a pencil cup, trophies or any other items that would otherwise clutter a desktop. The black and white contemporary design suits an array of décor styles and provides a storage solution that doesn’t eat up any floor area. Hardware is included, but you will also need a drill to mount the brackets to the wall. (Pro tip: Use these anti-tip straps when installing to keep the piece from falling over.)

The perfect study chair combines comfort and style.

Finding the perfect chair for a study sanctuary is all about prioritizing comfort without sacrificing style. “Pairing a brightly colored chair with a simple wood desk for a pop of color is fun,” says Page. “And adding a decorative throw pillow for some lumbar support is a great idea.”

Wayfair

This vinyl-upholstered and tufted task chair is cushioned with 2 inches of foam and has a lever to easily adjust the seat height. It can support up to 250 pounds, and the wheels are designed to roll over both carpet and hard floors with ease. Let your student choose to add armrests or not, and select which color they prefer from the seven different options, including black and bright yellow. You can also add a throw pillow for extra comfort and personality.

Task lighting is shown to help with eye pain, perception of job content and even posture.

Task lighting (i.e., a desk lamp) is a “must-have,” says Page. According to a randomized controlled trial, in fact, task lighting in offices led to statistically significant improvement in test subjects’ eye pain, perception of job content and even posture.

Wayfair

This desk lamp is both multifunctional and a great way to save precious desk real estate. It doubles as an organizer that can store school supplies, and it has a handy USB charging port. The lamp also comes in seven different color options, all but ensuring there’s something to fit your student’s personal preference.

Consolidating essentials like paper, pencils and rulers can keep your child focused on their work.

An essential part of creating a study sanctuary is making sure your teen or tween doesn’t have to leave their nook once they get some momentum. “If they have to walk across the room to go get a pencil, then they’re going to see their games and get distracted,” says Page. “But if everything is right there within reach, there’s a better chance that they’ll stay put and get their work done.”

Wayfair

This 12-drawer storage chest with over 1,300 five-star reviews features both 2-inch-deep and 5-inch-deep drawers designed to store everything from study guides and worksheets to craft supplies and other larger items. The semi-transparent drawers aim to make it easy to quickly find whatever you need and put things away in the right place. It also has locking wheels, which provide stability when needed but also offer mobility for reconfiguring the work zone.

Wayfair

This wooden L-shaped desk offers 55 inches of adjustable work surface. The desk swivels off of the three-drawer cabinet, which allows any homework station to be customized again and again. It comes in five different colors, including a sleek all-white version or an oak desktop with white cabinets for a Scandinavian look. This desk features soft-close drawers to minimize noise and protect the contents of your cabinets from jostling around.

Wayfair

At about 71 inches tall, this freestanding six-shelf bookcase can hold up to 450 pounds, so even the heaviest of textbooks can be put away neatly. It is easy to assemble, with all necessary hardware and an anti-tip safety kit included. The 31.5 x 11.8-inch shelves come in your choice of two wood finishes and are supported by a sturdy steel frame.

Wayfair

With an adjustable neck and pivoting head, this modern clip-on task lamp makes for a super-portable reading light. Clip this light onto a shelf or headboard for an instantly illuminated reading area. This lamp features a simple touch switch to help toggle between three levels of brightness.

Wayfair

This diamond-patterned cork board is a great place to display assignments and artwork for inspiration while working. It comes in two different size options (20 x 16 inches and 35 x 23 inches) with a black frame, and all mounting hardware is included for easy installation.

Wayfair

This six-piece desk organizer set includes a wastebasket, dual-section filer, sticky-pad holder, card tray, pencil cup and paperclip holder. The hatched metal set comes in two simple color options, silver and black, and is a hassle-free way to keep all workstation essentials together.

Wayfair

When your kid is reading or completing an assignment on a tablet, this stand helps keep screens at eye level. It rotates a full 360 degrees and has a non-slip base to offer stability. The stand fits most popular tablet models, including iPads, Samsung Galaxy Tabs and Microsoft Surface Pros, and it won’t clutter the desktop. Stash the tablet and a Bluetooth keyboard in a nearby drawer to help with research or writing work when necessary.

Wayfair

Encourage your kid to keep clutter at bay with this three-piece set of magazine file boxes. They’re about 4 inches wide and have metal label frames to help easily organize everything from worksheets to permission slips.