It’s back-to-school time again, time for new backpacks and sharpened pencils. Whether you are a student in grade school, college or simply interested in mastering a new subject, a good homework space can make all the difference in your final grade. Keep in mind, study spaces do not need to be large to be effective. With a little imagination, you can turn even a small unused space into a usable, fabulous area for refuge, reflection and, yes, even hard-core studying.
With this in mind, there are a few details to consider when designing your new study space.
I start every design project the same way, by evaluating the functional requirements. Make a list of the functions needed in the space. Will you be laying out several journals or books to do research, or is a small desk space sufficient for your work? With laptops, tablets and the Internet, it often is no longer necessary to have a lot of space for a study area. Do you need an area to store text books or files, or is the information mostly accessed online?
Location: Desks can be tucked into an under-used closet, under a staircase or in the corner of another room. Although bedrooms often are used for study spaces, it is sometimes a better idea to separate the study area from the bedroom for a couple of reasons. First, it may be difficult to study when your bed is so close by and relaxing often wins this battle. Second, studies show that it is good to separate any stressful activity from your bedroom, which should be an area for reflection and relaxation.
It’s also important to note that depending on the student, a more enclosed, quiet area may be more appropriate with minimal audible and visual distractions. Otherwise, a hallway nook could be the perfect fit.
Style: The style of this space should reflect both the user and the space in which it is located. If it is placed within another room, be sure to consider the elements and style of the space. Then consider adding a bit of color to draw in the user. Study spaces do not have to be boring. Just be careful, if the student is easily distracted, you need to keep it simple. If a closet is the chosen location, consider removing the doors and painting the interior a contrasting color, or wallpapering the interior for a bit of visual interest.
OrganizersSupplies: There are many great organizers on the market to interject a bit of personality. Try to keep all the necessary supplies close to the desk for convenience; that should include paper, pencils and pens, paper clips, files and, perhaps, a printer. Organize in an orderly way to keep things convenient and less distracting. Any local office-supply store should have some interesting options. IKEA also can be an affordable source. Don’t forget to use the vertical space by adding overhead shelves or storage cabinets.
Color: Why not interject a bit of color or pattern. Ideally, create a calm environment with soothing colors. Bright and bold colors may work for some students, but soothing colors often are more inviting and less distracting for an area designed for quiet activity. Save the bright action colors, like red and yellow, for the high-movement activities. Textured wallpaper, such as a grass cloth, is a great way to add some personality without overwhelming a space. They also create a cozy environment, which is a big plus in an area where you will spend concentrated time.
Lighting: Task lighting is vital to keep eye fatigue at a minimum. Lamp light is always good to focus the lighting and alter the brightness if needed. Keep in mind that long hours at a computer screen can be tiring for the eyes; after all, you are staring at a light source, so encourage breaks whenever possible.
Seating: Seating often is an under-appreciated furniture item. However, the right chair can make all the difference in the world as far as comfort and body support. I would suggest investing in a good chair with adjustable height, arm and back support. This is especially important if more than one person will use the same desk area.
The Desk: The size of the desk will depend on both the amount of space you have to work with and the amount of papers and books needed to complete the tasks. If the area is designed for co-users, a partners desk is a good fit. This simply is a wider desk that can be accessed from both sides. It could be arranged to fit perpendicularly to a wall or bookcase.
Now that you have all your tools in place, get to work and make good grades!
Sarah Cain is a state licensed interior designer and the owner of Sarah Cain Design, a Gainesville-based interior design firm. She earned her Master of Interior Design degree from the University of Florida, an undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and also studied design at the Vicenza Institute of Architecture in Vicenza, Italy. Sarah also keeps a weekly design blog at www.sarahcaindesign.blogspot.com. You may contact her staff at
www.sarahcaindesign.com or (352) 284.8299.