I’m bursting at the seams to take you on a tour of one of my favorite room makeovers, an organized IKEA homeschool room I created this past year for a client!
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As a rule, professional organizers tend to have a love affair with Ikea – and I am no exception!
You’d be hard-pressed to find a better “one-stop-shop” for value-priced organizing and storage products anywhere. Spend a few moments on Pinterest searching for organizing ideas, and you will invariably come across countless illustrations of Ikea products creating organized bliss in homes all across the globe.
And for those of you who don’t live close to an Ikea store, no worries! Most of their product line can be purchased via Ikea’s website.
Recently, I came across a blog post that showed some great examples of how Ikea products can help you to organize just about any area of your home. It prompted me to think about the multitude of times that Ikea has come to my rescue when tackling various client organizing projects.
Perhaps the best example of this is an Ikea homeschool room that I designed last year.
An Organized Homeschool Room Makeover With Ikea Storage Products
My client home schools her four children in an 11′ x 11′ room on the second floor of their home. Here’s what the homeschool room looked like when we started:
Our journey began with a decorating overhaul. Here’s what that phase of the project included:
- changing up the wall and trim paint color
- replacing the window treatment
- beefing up the lighting.
Once that foundation was put in place, we turned our attention to organization and storage needs for the homeschool room.
Given the small size of the space, I needed to use every trick in the book to meet all of my client’s objectives for this redesign. One trick that I definitely needed to implement was to “go vertical” in order to maximize storage space.
What better way to do it than with the tried and true storage powerhouse Kallax cube storage units!
The shelving units provided much-needed additional storage for:
- teacher manuals
- classroom manipulatives
- student books/workbooks
- general teaching tools.
We used Drona storage cubes in various colors to provide closed storage, and Fjalla magazine files to serve as a home for teaching manuals and student workbooks.
The larger unit was used to store teacher materials, manipulatives, and tools, while this smaller unit was designated strictly for student books and workbooks. The candy-apple red color of this Kallax unit really adds a fun element to the learning environment. You’ll notice that this accent color is repeated throughout the room.
I love the fact that each child has their very own set of cubbies:
My client had her heart set on a reading nook in the new homeschool room. We created one in the corner using a Besta storage bench, which we topped with a cozy homemade cushion and pillow set.
The kids’ library books were stored in the cubbies beneath the bench, as well as on wall shelves that we created using inexpensive Bekvam spice racks (that were eventually painted red).
I love how the colorful picture books do double duty as wall art, adding a cheerful touch to the room!
Mom also requested that I create a designated place for the children to put their completed school assignments. That’s where the Kvissle wall magazine holder came in. With five slots, there’s was a place for each child’s work, as well as a bonus slot for Mom to tuck away her important papers.
Turning our attention to the other side of the room, we used this wall primarily for display space. We used one of my favorite solutions for displaying children’s artwork – a series of Dignitet curtain wires in conjunction with Riktig clips along the top portion of the wall.
The lower portion of the wall was used to hang a fabric map and classroom calendar. A wall pocket served as a handy organizer for all of the various magnets and felt accessories that go with the map and calendar.
Last, but not least, let me show you where the kids spend a significant part of their school day – at this awesome “table” in the center of the room, which is actually comprised of four Micke desks. This space-saving desk configuration allowed each student to have their own individual storage space within their desk, even though it feels as if they are working together at a large table.
The swivel chairs in this homeschool room are not only super cute; they provide a way for the kiddos to burn off a bit of energy by competing in chair twirling contests between lessons!
So…what did all of this organized Ikea homeschool room cost my client? Roughly $900.
Money well-spent, don’t you agree?
Organized Ikea Homeschool Room Source List:
- Wall paint – Sherwin Williams Shagreen, eggshell finish
- Cube storage wall units (small & large)
- Kids’ desks
- Kids’ chairs
- Corner desk
- Mom’s chair
- Storage bench
- Wall book storage
- Storage cubes
- Magazine files
- Vertical paper storage
- Lamp
- Wall pocket (discontinued)
- Square cork board pieces
- Art display: clips & wire set
If you’re on the hunt for homeschool room ideas on a budget, I hope this example of an inexpensive homeschool classroom spurred some ideas. It’s such a great example of homeschool organization for small spaces!
I hope this makeover convinces you that you don’t need a huge space to create a functional and effective space for your homeschool. Oh, and for all you seasoned homeschool parents, I’d LOVE it if you would share your favorite homeschool organization hack below in the comments 🙂
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Anne Marie Johnson says
Where did the computers go
Natalie Gallagher says
They were replaced with ipads 🙂
Donna @ Modern on Monticello says
It looks so much better. You did a fabulous job of making over a very dated room. I’m sure your clients are loving it. Thanks for sharing. #HomeMattersParty
Natalie Gallagher says
Thanks Donna! It was such a fun project
Joanne says
What a bright and cheery room!
Natalie Gallagher says
Yep, just what the client wanted! So fun for the kiddos
Allyson says
What an amazing room transformation! It looks so much more cheerful and bright now. Putting four tables together was an excellent idea and I love the desk chairs you chose.
Natalie Gallagher says
Thanks Allyson! It was such a fun project!
Tiffany Daumueller says
Beautiful job!
Natalie Gallagher says
Thanks Tiffany!