Just sent your little one toddling off to school for the first time? You might be surprised to see him toddling back with homework in tow.
For many kids, the daily drudgery of homework can start as early as kindergarten. And it’s not just the kids who dread those daily assignments. Homework can be a stressful affair for parents too, leaving them as tired and frustrated as their kids as they scramble to make room and find supplies.
But while homework is a fact of life, the daily chaos that all too often results doesn’t have to be.
Want to make your family’s after-school routine a little less stressful? A dedicated homework station is a must!
Homework stations keep supplies on hand and distractions to a minimum, providing kids with a quiet, supervised, place to study. When your kids are older and the workload becomes heavier, a centrally located workspace can help reduce feelings of isolation, allowing them to spend time with the family as they work. A shared workspace can also go a long way toward keeping your teen safe as they begin to spend more and more time on the computer.
Of course, not everyone has a dedicated home office, but that doesn’t mean you can't create an attractive and well-organized study zone for your family. Have a large living room? Consider dedicating a wall to a row of mini workstations. Tight on space? Why not convert an upstairs landing or hallway into a homework zone? You’ll be surprised what you can pull together when you think outside of the box!
Ready to find the answer to your family’s homework problem? Take notes! These clever and stylish homework stations pass every test!
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Family-Friendly Workstation
Be True
This family-friendly office space, spotted on Be True, helps busy families transform “work time” into family time.
Having an adult study buddy makes after-school assignments more fun, and by sharing a workspace with the kids, parents can stay on top of their own to-do list while being on hand to offer all the help and encouragement their kiddos need.
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In-House Computer Lab
By the time your child reaches middle school, a computer will likely become a necessary tool. But providing each of your children with their own computer may not be practical—or safe.
A family computer lab, like this clean and contemporary space created and photographed by Erika Bierman, ensures computer access for all while allowing for adequate parental supervision. The slender, bench-like table offers multiple workstations in a relatively small space and could easily be tucked against any unused wall.
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Homework Nook
This built-in homework nook, spotted on DecorPad, proves that there’s no such thing as wasted space!
By installing a floating desk, these clever homeowners have turned an otherwise unused space into a cozy hallway workstation. A bold blueprint paired with sunny yellow accents adds a pop of color, turning this small addition into an eye-catching showstopper!
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Landing Space
This simple, space-saving desk design, seen on Sand and Sisal, transforms an open landing into a comfortable homework station, making the most of this small and otherwise unused space.
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Simple Shelf Desk
This simple space-saving desk design, created by Amy Baesler of Remodalholic, is perfect for anyone hoping to make use of a small space, such as a hallway or landing.
Want to make your own? Check out Amy’s detailed plans and step-by-step tutorial.
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Corner Homework Station
Project Girl
Tucked neatly into a living room corner, this attractive homework station, seen along the Utah Valley Parade of Homes, is the perfect way to keep an eye on the kids as they do their daily assignments. When homework is done, the schoolroom-inspired blackboard and wire art display lets the kids play teacher.
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No-Fuss Work Bench
Herman Miller, Inc. / Pinterest
Paired with a few stylish stools, this simple low-mounted shelf, spotted on Pinterest, doubles as a no-fuss workspace for the whole family.
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Closet Homework Station
Once full of toys, the closet in this former playroom turned teen hang out now holds a clever, built-in workspace. This creative cubby, created by Kathy Corbet Interiors, offers a supervised environment where siblings can study together under the watchful eye of a parent and can be easily closed off and tidied away when friends come over.
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Homework Club
Want to make your kiddo’s homework more fun? A one-of-a-kind homework suite, like this former closet space reimagined by Rebecca Propes just might do the trick.
This colorful little clubhouse is a kid’s dream come true. A pint-sized workstation offers the perfect place for doing homework or arts and crafts, and book rails, art displays, and a large chalkboard make great use of the closet’s narrow walls. Just around the corner? A cozy little reading nook. Too cute!
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Under-the-Bed Workspace
Want to create a spacious study zone without sacrificing too much floor space? Think vertically! This built-in loft bed, designed by Lauren Rubin Architecture, combines two essential spaces, leaving your child or teen with plenty of room to play or entertain friends.
Can’t afford a built-in bed? Consider buying a space-saving loft bed with a built-in desk.
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Fold-Down Workstation
Think you don’t have room for a dedicated homework station? Think again! This cleverly designed, fold-down workstation, complete with storage for paper and supplies, may be exactly what you’re looking for.
When homework is done, simply fold the desk back up into the attractive wall cabinet. You can even decorate the included chalkboard!
Working with a tight budget? Check out this amazing DIY version from Shanty 2 Chic.
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Floating Desk
Want to add a dedicated workstation to your child’s room? With simple lines and geometric appeal, this floating desk, spotted on the Boo and the Boy, gives this bright, red and white bedroom a clean and contemporary feel. It’s also a great space-saver, leaving plenty of room for play.
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Four-Person Homework Station
This beautiful family workspace, designed by Ellen Grasso Inc, features individual study stations as well as a custom four-station worktable for crafting and working on school projects.
Love this look? Create your own four-station worktable with these detailed plans from Ana White.
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Reclaimed Attic Space
Are you using all of your space? Houses often have negative space—large areas of unfinished and unused space boxed in by the existing walls. This bright and airy workspace, created by House of Jade Interiors, used to be a dark, unfinished attic crawl space!
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Kitchen Workstation
@Farmhouseforfour / Instagram
Have a spacious kitchen? Consider adding a built-in study station!
Central to every home, a kitchen is a perfect place for younger kids to work while Mom starts dinner. It’s also a great place to put the family computer, giving Mom and Dad a chance to keep an eye on their teen’s online activities.
This built-in desk, designed by Lauren of Farmhouse for Four, blends seamlessly into this rustic farmhouse kitchen.
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Under-the-Stairs Study Zone
This built-in beauty, spotted on CDN and the City, replaced a traditional under-the-stairs storage closet, creating a centralized workspace for the entire family to use.
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Rolling Homework Caddy
Prefer to keep things simple? There’s nothing wrong with a good, old-fashioned homework session around the kitchen table.
A portable homework caddy, like this attractive and inexpensive IKEA cart put together by Maggie of Smashed Peas and Carrots, is perfect for keeping everything you need within arm’s reach. When it’s time for dinner, simply roll it away.