15 Inspiring Homeschool Room Setup Ideas for Small Spaces (2024)

If you’re jumping into homeschooling your kids for the first time, this can come with a lot of overwhelm and stress. You don’t want the idea of designing the “perfect” homeschool classroom to add to the stress you likely already feel.

Creating an Instagram worthy homeschool space can be expensive, and is often unnecessary.

The beauty of homeschooling is that your space is unique to your home, as well as to your children. A lot of teaching and learning will take place in the homeschool area you create, but a lot of it will also happen outside those small four walls because the world becomes your child’s classroom and learning will happen all day long whether you’re in nature, sitting behind a desk, stuffed into a bean bag or counting apples while grocery shopping.

The space you create in your home for homeschool is going to be perfect no matter how you design it and the square footage you’re working with, but don’t start throwing into your cart every “must-have” the next time you’re at the store.

Take your time creating an intentional homeschool environment first with the basics, and then fill in as you go and deeply discover your child’s learning interests and needs.

You’ll find several pointers on designing a small space for homeschool, the basics to have when you gather supplies for your homeschool classroom, as well as 20 small space homeschool ideas to inspire you to setup the space you’re working with.

On the fence about homeschooling? Check out the Homeschool Pros and Cons Handbook to help you make a decision about what’ll be best for your family.

How do you design a homeschool room? How about a homeschool space in a small room?

The beauty about homeschooling is that your entire world becomes your classroom and no matter how small the space is you’re working with, this will expand when you think outside the box.

You may want to do some work in your homeschool space, but you can also do lessons and learning outside, at the park, on the go and during “field trips.”

It’s nice to have a starting place for school each day and that may be your dining table, a walk-in closet you’ve converted (yes, for real!), community table with chairs around it for teaching, or small desks for each of the kids. Then, once you get into the learning, your kids may sit on a soft chair, lay on the floor or slink into a chair on the grass for reading.

One of the most important things to do with your homeschool set up is to make sure your learning is away from devices and screens are turned off.

Don’t let the size of the space you have make you think you can’t make it work! A small space classroom gives you a secluded area for your homeschoolers to do work, and then move beyond the four walls when it’s time.

What supplies do I need for homeschooling?

Before you rush out and splurge at IKEA or Target with all the things you’ve been told will make your homeschool space look pretty and Instagram worthy… PAUSE.

You likely already have a lot of items to create an organized and positive homeschool space for learning. I recommend starting school with the basics and essentials for learning and then figure out in time what else may be helpful and will help your child explore and learn in their space.

Of course, age will also play a big factor.

For example, preschool and Kindergarten aged children learn best with play-based learning which means more blocks, toy-based items like a kid’s play-kitchen, play dough and fun learning puzzles, than an older elementary-aged child who would benefit from math manipulatives, art supplies, maps and chapter books.

Also, the layout of your homeschool space will also depend upon the style of teaching and learning you choose. Montessori style learning relies on self-choice and limited items, open and low shelving, hands-on pieces and often montessori style wooden learning tools.

Your homeschool will look however you design it and over time, discover your children learn the best. This may be with desks, or this may be soft bean bags and soft music playing in the corner, or outside on the grass.

Basics for your homeschool classroom setup:

Real talk here. You don’t need the crazy long and expensive list you get from public school. These are the real homeschool basics you’ll use often, not a set of headphones to wear once or glitter pens in 77 different colors.

• • Wall & decorative Pieces – These decorative accents completely up to you and you likely already have some things around your house. They can add color to your space and for young learners, can help with learning too. Here are some ideas:
    • Educational posters
    • World map / globe
    • ABC letters and numbers chart
    • Bulletin board
    • Encouragement or Growth Mindset art (or make your own with these positive message coloring sheets & hang them up!)
    • White board or chalk board

How many hours a day is required for homeschooling?

This is a common question most people ask about homeschooling. Homeschool hours vary for each homeschooling family based on your homeschooling method, the homeschool curriculum you use, and state requirements.