The Chaos and the Clutter

Our Classroom

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(This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosure policy.)

I am so excited about our classroom this year! When I started homeschooling, our “classroom” was the kitchen table and that worked really well for us, but a few years ago it became apparent that some of my kids needed a different, more structured environment and we converted our family room into a homeschool classroom.

Last year, it worked really well, but there were a few things that I wanted to do to maximize the space. There were also a few things that weren’t working like our huge games cupboards that were taking up so much space and were hardly able to house anything inside because the shelves were broken. So those got moved out and I put in this Ikea Expedit unit that makes good use of the space and also allows the kids to see the board games which increases the likelihood that they will pull them out more often.

The other thing that wasn’t working is the white door to the outside that we don’t use as a door, but it still takes up room and gives me less useable wall space. Last year, I put the games cupboards in front of it which at least hid it, but with those being gone this year, I wasn’t sure what to do with this big white metal door in our homeschool room. And then it came to me…chalkboard paint!

Now, the door blends in better because of the colour and it is USEABLE space. Instead of a door, I now have a magnetic (because the door is metal) chalkboard!

I changed the configuration as far as where the desks, workboxes and table are and got a new whiteboard as ours was broken. I made sure to get one that I could also use to hang pocket charts on as that is what I’m going to use as a chore chart system this year and I got one with bins so that I can make our weekly sensory bin right in there and have it in the classroom with us. (Last year I had the sensory bins in the next room and it was a bit awkward.)

I changed a lot of my organization methods for this year (there will be a post on my homeschool organization next week) and therefore some of my systems for organization are in the room such as a shoe organizer to hold the craft supplies and file boxes to hold larger items such as puzzles, science experiments, craft items, board games, and activities for our theme units.

kids craft diy organizer using a shoe holder

Here are a few views of our classroom. The lighting is really bad because I took the pictures tonight after dark, but these give the general idea.

workboxes area

reading corner

we converted a fireplace into a corkboard last year and it continues to work really well

The kids are pretty excited about the new look of the room. It’s a bit more “classroomy” than I would like, but I think it’s going to be extremely functional for us. Now the biggest question I hear is “please can we start school today?”!!!

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Sarah says

    Wow! I LOVE it! I really would like to get workboxes like those…
    That’s awesome that your kids are asking to start school. Mine are like, Really mom? Already? Haha!

    • Sharla says

      The workboxes are from Michael’s and they still have them this year (we bought ours last year). They occasionally go on sale or you can print off one of their coupons online for 40 or 50% off one item that comes around every few weeks.

      I hope my kids still feel this enthusiastic after the first week is over!

    • Sharla says

      Thanks Dawn! The clocks are the time in Ethiopia, Nova Scotia (where friends of ours live), and Alberta (where we live).

    • Sharla says

      Thanks Sam! I love the owls too…there’s something about them that makes me think about reading so I wanted them in the reading corner.

  5. Ashleigh says

    Looks very inviting and conducive to fun, effective learning Sharla. Your kids are blessed!
    And yes, isn’t Peel Monkey amazing!!!
    A

    • Sharla says

      Thanks Ashleigh. Yes, Peel Monkey is awesome! I just put the Zebra Love one in my bedroom and most of the kids have it in some forms in their rooms too.

  7. Gwen says

    I’m in LOVE with your classroom! We no longer homeschool, but I generally spend August and September wishing that we did, just so I could plan lessons and organize our learning space. Great job Sharla! 🙂

  8. Rachel says

    Oh I LOVE it, Sharla!!!! I am trying to decide what to do this year for our homeschool room and am a bit at a loss! So if you have time for coffee one day (and if it would be a break for you and not another thing on your to do list – I do NOT want to add to your workload) I’d love your opinion! It looks fantastic.

  11. Mary-Lynne says

    Hi Sharla,

    It is an amazing transformation and a great start for your home schooling year. You have worked to hard and it will pay off in great learning!!

  13. Ruth says

    The room looks awesome Sharla. I’m in the middle of re-organizing my classroom and it’s a ton of work…and I have ‘only’ three kids to organize for.

    I wish I could be there in person to examine it in detail! Miss you.

    Ruth

  14. Kim says

    I love everything about it – the colors, organization, set up. The tree & owls (and map) are fabulous. I also love how you used the shoe organizer. We have 4 of them in our house and none of them hold shoes. LOL Thanks for sharing your space! Have a blessed year!

    • Sharla says

      Thanks Kim! I’m curious about what you’re using your shoe organizers for. I have an empty one right now up in one of the kids’ closets and now that this one has worked so well for our art supplies, I’m trying to think of how to use it!

      • Kim says

        Sure! I have one in my laundry room (which is upstairs) on the back of the linen closet door, as well as one on the back of our coat closet just inside the entry way on the main floor. They both hold cleaning supplies and things we typically misplace. 🙂 (Dusting supplies, extra soap, carpet stain remover, air freshener refills, hammer & nails, batteries, wet wipes, etc.) Also, each girl has one on the back of their bedroom door. My oldest daughter LOVES all things Barbie, so hers is used as Barbie storage. 🙂 http://lovinglosingliving.blogspot.com/search/label/Organization

  15. marcy says

    I am continually impressed with what you can do, Sharla! Wow! I love your room. Seeing as I only have one homeschooling, and half time at that, I don’t need a classroom yet. I also have NO room to do that except downstairs where it’s cold and ugly. I would need to do some major stuff down there to make it workable. I’m hoping for a bigger house before I homeschool all of them.

    I LOVE the Peel Monkey decals and definitely have to get some for myself.

    Thanks for sharing…oh, and I LOVE that color too. I am in love with green. Sigh!

    • Sharla says

      Thanks Marcia! I’m excited for you for your homeschool adventure this year. We started out homeschooling at the kitchen table for years so no need to make a whole classroom especially not for one student!

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