This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure statement. Thanks for visiting!
If you’re looking for some homeschool room ideas for small spaces, you're in the right place.
Check out these tips and resources for homeschooling in small spaces. From organizing hacks to design ideas, you'll find what you need to make the most of the space you have for your homeschool.
What You Need to Set Up a Small Homeschool Room
The key to success for homeschooling with limited space is using and storing only what you need.
It can be so tempting to feel like you need more for your homeschool. Doesn't more mean better?
Absolutely not!
More homeschool supplies and resources often lead to clutter. And make it very hard to find what you need.
The struggle to add more to your homeschool can only get worse when you're on social media (especially Instagram) and see homeschools with tons of shelves crammed full of books, games, and supplies. Comparison syndrome is tough!
You may start to think you need all of that - and if you don't, are you even homeschooling the "right" way?
Let me reassure you that you do NOT need stacks of supplies or heaps of games.
In fact, these 3 must-haves for a homeschool room are really all you need:
1. You Need a Space for Children to Sit and Write
Obviously, your kids need room to do their work. You can get creative (see ideas below) and make your space work for you.
2. You Need a Way to Store Books
Unless you choose to use only online resources (ebooks and programs), you'll need a place to keep books.
3. You Need Basic School Supplies & A Way to Organize Them
When you have your essential homeschool supplies ready, you'll then need a place to store and access them.
What You Don't Need for a Homeschool Room
It's just as important to look at what you do NOT need for your homeschool room. These considerations will help you keep your resources to a minimum and make the most of your space.
1. You Don’t Need to Replicate a Public School Classroom
Learning at home can look a lot different than public school. In fact, it really should!
If you're struggling with this idea, check out our deschooling resources to help you learn about how to break free from public school mentality and embrace the freedoms of homeschooling.
2. You Don’t Need All the Expensive Bells and Whistles
You also don't have to spend a ton of money on fancy shelves or decor.
Your kids don't care if you have the latest shelving unit or rug. They want to be comfortable while they're learning!
DIY homeschool room ideas help you save money and customizable. And are fantastic ways to recycle!
Instead of throwing out a basket or box, think about how you can reuse it in your homeschool workspace. Get your kids involved in the process and they'll love your DIY homeschool room decor.
3. You Don’t Have to Have a Traditional Desk Setup
You have so many options when it comes to providing your kids with homeschool work space.
A kitchen or dining room table is a wonderful place to gather. (My boys and I always start our homeschool day at our dining room table.)
You can also move your learning area to a couch or comfy chair by using clipboards or lap desks.
One of my friends placed a large piece of sturdy cardboard across an armchair for her daughter to use as a temporary desk.
Let's take a look at some super cool tips for homeschool room ideas for small spaces!
10 Tips for Homeschool Room Ideas in Small Spaces
1. Store Only What You’ll Use
You only need to find space for things you’ll use on a daily and weekly basis. Accessibility is key when it comes to homeschool storage.
Go through your homeschool supplies considering how many kids you'll be homeschooling this year, their ages and stages, and what subjects they'll be studying.
Make a pile or section with all of the essential supplies for those considerations.
Everything else can be stored in a plastic bin in a closet, attic, or other storage place.
2. Paint a Section of Wall in Chalkboard Paint
One of my favorite homeschool classroom decorating ideas!
This creative option helps you save space AND have a place to teach lessons and put reminders. You can use the pain or the super-simple chalkboard paper.
You can section it off with a DIY frame or leave as-is for a smart homeschool room hack.
PRESTIGE Exterior Paint and Primer in One, Chalkboard, Flat, 1 Gallon
Chalkboard Contact Paper, 2 Rolls Self Adhesive Black Chalk Board Paper, Chalk Board Paint Alternative Wallpaper, Chalk Wall Sticker with 12 Colorful Chalks for Home School Office (17.7 x 78.7 Inch)
3. Set Up a Command Center
A command center for your homeschool area is another smart hack.
This type of center is a visual organizational system that you can refer to whenever you need a reminder or planning something special.
Some ideas for your command center are:
- Calendar
- Cork board (great place to pin up appointment cards, growth mindset quotes, and spelling lists)
- Dry erase board (magnetized is a bonus!)
- Chalk board
- Small shelf or two
- Hooks (for keys or loose-leaf rings of sight words or vocabulary)
2021-2022 Calendar - 18 Monthly Wall Calendar 2021-2022 with Twin-Wire Binding, July 2021 - December 2022, 12 Different Patterns, 15
Academic Wall Calendar 2021-2022, AT-A-GLANCE, Monthly, 15-½
KITLIFE Jumbo Wet or Dry Erase Monthly Wall Calendar – Undated Office Wall Planner – Erasable Whiteboard with Calendar Month and Notes – Easy Mount Adhesive Foam Strips Included, 24 x 36”
ORIENTOOLS 36 x 24 Inch Cork Board with 10 Color Pins, Bulletin Board with Black Frame for Home, Office, School, Cubicle, etc.
Cork Board and Dry Erase Board Combo (18 x 24
XBoard Double-Sided 36 x 24 Inch Magnetic Dry Erase Board Set - Wall Mounted 3' x 2' Reversible Whiteboard with 1 Dry Eraser & 3 Dry Erase Markers & 4 Push Pin Magnets
Lockways Magnetic Chalk Board Blackboard, Bulletin Black Board 48 X 36 Inch, Silver Aluminium Frame
SRIWATANA Rustic Floating Shelves, Wood Wall Shelves Set of 3, Wall Mounted Hanging Shelves for Bedroom, Living Room, Kitchen, Bathroom, Carbonized Black
Homemaxs Corner Floating Shelves Wall Mounted, Rustic Wood Wall Shelves Set of 2 for Bedroom, Bathroom, Living Room, Kitchen Storage & Decoration Hanging Corner Shelf, Rustic Brown
Wall Hooks 8 Pcs,Coat Hooks, Stainless Steel Hook, Garage, Luggage Key Hook, Bathroom Kitchen Dining Room,Heavy Duty, Indoor and Outdoor Hooks (Black Bent Hooks)
Wood Hooks Wall Mounted, Coat Hooks Vintage Single Wall Hooks Organizer Heavy Duty for Towel Hat Hanging 4 Pack Oak
Adhesive Hooks Kitchen Wall Hooks- 24 Packs Heavy Duty 13.2lb(Max) Nail Free Sticky Hangers with Stainless Hooks Reusable Utility Towel Bath Ceiling Hooks
4. Vertically Organize with Stackable Storage Containers
A brilliant homeschool classroom setup uses storage containers that you can stack and wisely use your vertical space.
You can either have containers that close with a lid or open storage shelves to easily access materials.
IRIS USA, Inc. TB Clear Plastic Storage Bin Tote Organizing Container with Durable Lid and Secure Latching Buckles, 32 Qt, 6 Count
3 Drawer Organizer Cart Black Plastic Craft Storage Container Rolling Bin Set 2
10 Pack Shoe Storage Boxes, Clear Plastic Stackable Shoe Organizer Bins, Drawer Type Front Opening Sneaker Shoe Holder Containers
5. Use Wall Space as Much as Possible
Look at the wall area you have for your small homeschool space. Could you add shelves, a white board, bulletin board, or hooks?
If you need help visualizing what to hang on your homeschool walls, use painters tape or washi tape to measure off those areas to "see" what it would look like.
Using wall space is so important for organizing a small homeschool room.
ScotchBlue Original Multi-Surface Painter's Tape, .70 inches x 60 yards, 2090, 1 Roll
YI LIN Washi Tape Set,Colored Decorative Masking Tapes,40 Rolls Painters Tape,Art Supplies for Kids Children and Gifts Warpping
6. Find Educational Pieces That Double as Decor
What can you use that's both educational and pleasant to look at?
A world or local map. A flag from your country or maybe from where your ancestors hail.
An artistic version of a periodic table or scientific drawing of a flower.
You can also hang a frame that allows you to easily rotate pieces. You could use this space to place artwork for picture study or enjoy your kids' art.
Swiftmaps World Premier Wall Map Poster Mural 24h x 36w
2021 Swiftmaps 24
International Flags, G2PLUS 164 Feet 8.2'' x 5.5'' World Flags, 200 Countries Olympic Flags Pennant Banner for Bar, Party Decorations, Sports Clubs, Grand Opening, Festival Events Celebration
Periodic Table Poster 2021 Version - Large 31x23 Inch PVC Vinyl Chart of Scientific Elements, Hanging Decorations & Teaching Supplies for Science Chemistry Middle, High School Homeschooling Classroom
Periodic Table Poster, 2021 Chemistry Periodic Table With Real Elements, HD Canvas Printing Poster for Classroom, Laboratory, Home Decor, School
Eeypy Mushroom Poster Chart Education Fungus Botany Metal Tin Sign Different Breeds Retro Vintage Farm Courtyard Garden Animal Tin Signs Plate Plaque Novelty Restaurant Kitchen Wall 8x12 Inch
Cavallini & Co. Botany Leaves Decorative Paper Sheet
Ink Inc Botanical Prints Wildflower Prints Floral Wall Art - Set of 6 - 8x10 - Unframed
Golden State Art, 10x12.5 Kids Art Frames, Front-Opening, Great for Kids Drawings, Artworks, Children Art Projects, Schoolwork, Home or Office(Black, Set of 2)
Americanflat 10x12.5 Kids Artwork Picture Frame in Mahogany - Displays 8.5x11 With Mat and 10x12.5 Without Mat - Composite Wood with Shatter Resistant Glass - Horizontal and Vertical Formats
7. Use a Hanging File Folder to Organize Assignments and Papers
Keep your homeschool paperwork organized with a hanging file system or accordion file. Make sure to label so you can easily find what you need!
Amazon Basics Hanging Organizer File Folders - Letter Size, Assorted Colors, 25-Pack
Easepres File Organizer Mesh 5-Tier Black Hanging File Organizer Vertical Holder Rack for Office Home
2-Pack SimpleHouseware Mesh Hanging File Organizer, Black
SimpleHouseware Stackable Mesh Hanging File Organizer with Wheels, Black
File Storage Organizer, Collapsible Office File Boxes with Lid, Linen Filing Hanging Folder Document Organizers for Letter/Legal Size with 4 Slide Rails
Accordion File Organizer 12 Pockets Desktop Expanding Folder with Cover Plastic Document Receipt Organizer School Office Supplies(A4/Letter Size)
8. Need Portable? Organize with a Wheeled Caddy or Rolling Cart
If your small homeschool space will also be used for other functions, a rolling cart is an incredible option for storage space.
Place your homeschool art supplies, morning time materials, or all of your resources (great challenge that helps you reduce!) in a rolling cart.
My boys and I have three carts - art cart, morning time, and enrichment. I LOVE being able to easily roll the carts out of our homeschool area (a.k.a. dining room) when we have company over or just need more space.
You can use jars to store pencils, crayons, and glue sticks. You can also place binders, workbooks, even math manipulatives!
SONGMICS Rolling Cart, 3-Tier Storage Cart, Storage Trolley with Handle 2 Small Organizers, Steel Frame, Plastic Baskets, Utility Cart, Easy Assembly, for Bathroom Laundry Room, Black UBSC067B01
SAYZH 3 Tier Rolling Cart Metal Craft Storage Organizer with wheels Green
MOOACE Rustic Kitchen Cart on Wheels, 3-Tier Wire Storage Rolling Cart, Wood Look Top and Metal Frame, Silver
9. Dedicate a Kitchen Cabinet to School Supplies
Take a close look at your kitchen storage areas.
Do you have an extra kitchen cabinet or drawer? Or maybe a junk drawer that has a bunch of useless bits that can be pitched? Use that space for homeschool supplies!
You can use this space to store writing utensils, paper (lined and construction), playdough, and so much more.
10. Get Creative with Desk Options
You have several alternatives when it comes to homeschool desk options. A few ideas include:
- Clipboards
- Lap desks
- TV trays
- Dining room table
- Coffee table
- Wall-mounted fold-down desks
Any of these options are awesome homeschool room ideas for small spaces!
Amazon Basics Hardboard Office Clipboard - 6-Pack
Dexas Slimcase 2 Storage Clipboard with Side Opening, Pink Glitter with White Binding (3517-217G)
Officemate Slim Clipboard Storage Box, Charcoal (83303)
Tersework Bamboo Laptop Desk,Adjustable Portable Breakfast Serving Bed Tray Table with Drawer for Eating and Reading Ipad Computer Lap Desk
LapGear Designer Lap Desk with Phone Holder and Device Ledge - Aqua Trellis - Fits up to 15.6 Inch Laptops - Style No. 45422,Medium - Fits up to 15.6
Foldable Bed Tray Lap Desk - 2pc Portable Lap Desk with Phone Slots Notebook Table Dorm Desk, Perfect for Watching Movie on Bed Or As Personal Dining Table (Black & Khaki)
Amazon Basics Classic TV Dinner Folding Trays with Storage Rack, Espresso - Set of 4
NDGDGA Wall Mounted Table, Multi-Function Wall Mount Laptop Desk, Writing Computer Desk with Large Storage Area, Floating Dining Desk Home Office for Small Spaces (White, 42.1 x 39.4 x 19.7 inches)
Walker Edison Modern Wood and Metal Wall Mounted Writing Desk Home Office Workstation Small, 24 Inch, English Oak
Homeschooling Without a School Room: Yes, It's Totally Possible!
Maybe instead of a small space homeschool, you have a zero space homeschool?
If you don't have a dedicated homeschool room, no worries!
You truly do NOT need to have a dedicated homeschool room. Learning can happen anywhere - it doesn't require fancy-schmancy or anything special.
You can absolutely successfully homeschool without a dedicated room. It may feel overwhelming (especially when you see all those picture-perfect homeschool rooms on Instagram) but you can find a system that works for your family.
Not sure how to get started? Or need a bit of inspiration for homeschool room ideas for small spaces?
Take a look at these smart homeschool set-ups!
10 Motivating Homeschool Rooms That Are Rockin' It in Small Spaces
1. The Homeschool Room in a Bedroom Hack
Here's a creative idea is for setting up a homeschool space in a bedroom. This loft bed option with desk and storage areas would be an amazing way to use this idea.
2. The Homeschool Closet
Super cool ideas for turning a bedroom closet into a small homeschool space that's customized for your kid. You'll find inspiration for reusing/recycling objects around your home, too.
3. The Kitchen Command Center
If you need an all-in-one center in a tight space for your homeschool materials, you've got to check out these ideas for maximizing storage and organization. And it looks pretty, too!
4. The Dining Room + Homeschool Room Combo
Simple yet beautiful suggestions for how to organize your homeschool dining room. Lovely ideas for making the most of your space with attractive educational materials.
5. The Corner Classroom
Marvelous ideas and inspiration for minimalist homeschool room decor and organization.
6. The “Built-Ins” Room
Terrific tips for using built-in shelves and cabinets. Also, awesome ideas for adding a pop of color to your homeschool area, without overdoing it.
7. The Converted Laundry Closet
Do you have a larger closet (laundry or clothes) that could be transformed into a homeschool space? If so, check this out for inspiration!
8. The Homeschool Nook
Got a nook or other smaller space that you could change into a homeschool space? Here's a neat way to make that happen!
9. The Bookshelf School Hub
Take this small office space idea and go with it! Turn a bookshelf into two desks + storage.
10. The Desk Only Space
If you can really only fit in one desk for your child, that's cool! Use these ideas for inspiration on how to set it up.
Which of These Homeschool Room Ideas for Small Spaces Will You Use?
Now that you've had a chance to check out all of these ideas and tips, what do you think will match your family and it needs?
I encourage you to take your time and think about all the possibilities of where you can successfully homeschool - no matter what space you're working with!
I truly hope that these homeschool room ideas in small spaces give you the confidence to go forward and rock your homeschool!
Do you have any questions about these small space homeschooling ideas? Or have you tried something different and want others to know? Please share in the comments area below!
