Does Your Kid Need a Home Office?
by Wendy Croix
wendy.croix@homeimprovementideas.com
Home Improvement Ideas Columnist
Remember how you studied when you were a kid? Me, I slouched in a rocking chair with my homework on my lap and, yes, the television on. I didn't just do alright. I did great. But times have changed, life is competitive, and making a "home office" that's schoolwork-friendly (and television-free) should be your number one decorating goal.
Kids home office décor no-nos
I've been out on the net, shopping for kids office furniture--or anything that would work as office décor--and I've been disappointed. Kids, like adults, need to be comfortable in order to concentrate. So, what's the deal with those hard plastic benches attached to expensive desks? No back support. No accommodation for height and weight. Just as bad, I found limited desktop area on so many desks, especially those for older children and teens. And these educational torture devices didn't come cheap. I actually found sturdy padded adjustable office chairs and flat top work tables for less than the made-for-kids versions. In fact, I've found antique school desks for less!
Budget home office décor for kids
What's the home office decorating bottom line? Get what your kids really need to create an inviting home study area, not what commercial furniture manufacturers say they need. At the very least, your home office decorating should give your kids:
- A large, flat, and roomy work space
- A chair with good back support
- A bookcase or shelf within easy reach of the work area
- Excellent task lighting
- Storage for small items like pencils, scissors, and stapler
- A corkboard or bulletin board
- A desktop calendar to keep track of assignments
- A special place to display your child's accomplishments
Minimize the clutter and crowding and you'll create a kids home office with a décor that minimizes distractions and maximizes grades.
About the Author
Wendy Croix, Ph.D. is a creative writer, freelancer, and self-confessed home improvement junkie. She's also a professor with more than twenty years’ experience in the field of education.
|
