Help your students achieve higher grades…
The space where we learn significantly impacts how well we learn and remember information. Unfortunately, most study spaces aren’t designed with learning in mind.
Desks are randomly placed. Chairs are…well…thrown in where they fit. Lighting isn’t considered at all.
And it affects students’ ability to learn.
The fact is, setting up an optimal learning environment is easy. When you know how to shop for educational furniture and what to look for in a classroom layout, ANY learning environment can be configured to promote focus and retention.
In this guide you’ll learn:
- Why study space design is important
- The elements that make a study space work
- How to shop for educational furniture
- Easy fixes to make a big impact
Why Should You Care About Study Space Design?
Did you know that the design of a study space can influence learning progress by up to 16% in just one year? University of Salford
That’s according to a study that analysed data from 3,766 pupils in 153 classrooms. The results highlighted just how much a physical learning environment impacts progress. Factors like air quality, colour and lighting were all taken into consideration.
Imagine increasing the capabilities of an average student by moving them into an optimised learning environment. And we’re not talking about changing the curriculum or teaching methods. Just the space where they learn.
One of the biggest factors in creating a good learning environment is educational furniture. By working with quality school furniture suppliers, you can ensure that desks, chairs, storage solutions and more fit the ergonomic needs of your students. A quality educational furniture supplier knows that design matters.
Elements of a Well-Designed Study Space
So what makes a study space actually beneficial to students? What are the things you should consider when designing a space? Or rearranging your living room furniture to create a study space at home?
A few key components work together to create a space that allow students to focus on the task at hand. Let’s take a closer look at what they are.
Natural Light & Air Quality
Combined, these two elements make up approximately 50% of a students learning environment. That means windows should be free of clutter. And rooms should be well ventilated. As air becomes stale, students become distracted.
Natural light keeps minds alert. It also helps reduce eye strain. If you don’t have access to natural light, make sure you can adjust artificial lighting as needed.
Temperature
Is the room too hot? Students become lethargic.
Is the room too cold? They’ll spend their time wishing they were anywhere but there.
Try to give individual classrooms (or zones if your students study in a shared space) their own thermostat if possible. Also, keep in mind that temperatures may feel different throughout the day.
What feels cool in the morning might feel chilly by afternoon.
Educational Furniture
We already touched on this, but it’s worth diving into a little more. Students spend a lot of time sitting at their desk. That desk needs to fit their body.
If the furniture doesn’t fit, students will become uncomfortable. They’ll lose focus. They might even develop poor posture (or hurt their backs).
Organisation
Messy classrooms lead to cluttered minds. When a room is cleaned up and everything has its place, students are subconsciously reminded that it’s time to work.
This goes for physical classrooms and virtual study spaces. Make sure materials are easy to access. Store supplies so that they’re out of the way, but organised.
Shop for Educational Furniture Like a Pro
Believe it or not, there is a right and wrong way to shop for desks, chairs, bookcases and more.
While your instinct may be to look for the cheapest price, that won’t always result in the best value. Here are some tips to keep in mind when it comes time to shop for educational furniture.
Look for Adjustability
Not all students are the same size. You can’t realistically buy furniture that adjusts to each student’s specific needs. But you can look for desks and chairs that adjust.
Chairs shouldn’t sink down to someone’s knees. Look for desk options that have height adjustment capabilities.
Durability is Key
Educational furniture gets a lot of use. One desk may be used by multiple students each day. That desk has to be able to hold up against daily wear and tear.
Opting for the absolute cheapest furniture may save you money now. But those desks will likely need to be replaced multiple times over the course of your students educational career.
Deal with a reputable furniture supplier who has been in the business for years. Their furniture will be built to last.
Flexibility
Schools are moving away from students sitting in rows and listening to a teacher at the front of the classroom. Group work, individual study, collaboration…these are all things that modern classrooms focus on.
When looking for furniture, try to find pieces that can be moved around and serve multiple purposes. Lighter weight tables on casters allow you to adapt a space to your needs. Stackable chairs and modular seating options create flexibility.
Storage
Students have things. Books. Supplies. Pencils. Lunch. Homework. Personal items.
If these things don’t have a home they will distract from learning. Invest in some good storage options. Built in storage keeps materials accessible, but out of sight.
Small Changes, Big Impact
You don’t have to remodel your classroom or spend thousands of dollars to create a better learning environment. Sometimes the smallest adjustments can make the biggest impact.
Declutter Walls
Research shows that when too much of your wall is covered, it can actually be overwhelming to your brain. The optimal amount of posters/display boards vary from 20-50% of your wall being covered.
Lighting
Nobody likes fluorescent lighting. But if that’s your only option, try to position desks so that students aren’t facing the bulbs directly. Replace bulbs with a warmer option. Add in some task lighting where needed.
Zones
Not all learning is done at a desk. Reading corners, group work areas and quiet study zones are all examples of differentiated spaces within a classroom.
By creating these zones, you allow students to mentally prepare for the type of learning they’ll be doing in that space.
Noise
Have you ever tried to concentrate with somebody else’s conversation happening in the background? It’s difficult and distracting.
Make sure your space has plenty of soft furnishings. Carpet, soft seating, and even acoustic panels help absorb noise.
Personalisation
When students feel like they have a connection to the space they’re in, they tend to care more about it. Allowing students to personalise their space or classroom can lead to better mental investment.
Creating a Study Space at Home
You don’t have to be a teacher to care about creating a good study space. Students who study at home can benefit from these tips, too!
Whether it’s the kitchen table or a desk in your child’s bedroom. Having a designated spot for homework and studying lets your brain know that it’s time to focus.
Good lighting is important here as well. Students sitting at the kitchen table are likely doing homework into the evening. Make sure there is ample lighting to prevent eye strain.
As for chairs, kids will fidget if they’re uncomfortable. Make sure there is a comfy seat for them to sit in.
You don’t need to spend tons of money on your child’s study space. The biggest thing is to be intentional with your setup. Designate a spot. Remove distractions. Make sure lighting and ventilation is adequate.
You can even DIY some of these tips. Corner spaces can easily be transformed into a student study command center with little effort.
Conclusion
There’s no magic formula for designing the perfect study space.
But what we do know is that lighting, temperature and air quality have the biggest impact on a students ability to focus. After that, ergonomic furniture and an organised layout do the heavy lifting.
Make small changes where you can. Before you know it, you’ll have created an environment where your students will be able to focus on learning instead of distractions.