I have teamed up with Staples Canada to bring you some fun ideas for creating a functional homework station or home office. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.
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A couple of years ago I created an Art Station in Matthew’s room for the boys. It has been well used but it needed a little updating to make it more functional space since the boys are now more into the “homework stage”.
If you have been around here for a while, you know how much I love the Martha Stewart line at Staples. I have used it to for our kitchen command center, to update our home office, and to create my daily To Do list binder. So, of course, when it was time to get something for the kids homework station, I knew exactly where I would be going!
I decided to try something new and purchased a couple of the stack and fit desk accessories for each of the boys. Matthew can be especially distractable when he does his homework and is the king at finding any excuse possible to put off getting his work done. Now that everything he needs is easily accessible to him in one place, he has no reason to get up from doing his work! 🙂 I love that these can easily be changed up and customized to fit whatever we need.
I used the drawer unit to hold all of their current library and reading book and placed file folders above it to hold loose homework sheets as well as art projects that they were working on, their reading charts, and other loose papers that they may have.
The top organizer holds a notebook, sticky notes {Matthew’s favorite!}, pens, pencils and a few other small office supplies. It also worked nicely as a little charging station for Matthew’s ipad.
I attached one of the cute chalkboard labels to each of the organizers and also used them on our little supply holder. I can’t seem to get enough of those labels!
If you love anything chalkboard related as much as I do, you will also love these chalk holders. They make it much easier to write clearer and really cut down on the chalky mess.
I also used some Martha Stewart bookplate labels for the drawers in the storage unit . They just stick right on and the labels can easily be changed up if we switch things around in the future.
In a few of the drawers I added inexpensive bins from the dollar store to hold smaller supplies and to make it easier for the kids to take them in and out of the drawers. It also makes clean up a lot easier too!
One of my favorite tools when organizing any space is a label maker. I have been using a super old one and finally upgraded to this more digital model! They are great for labeling folders, binders, bins, and pretty much anything else you can think of! The kids actually thought that it was pretty fun to use too and labelled their folders for me.
All of the kids’ prized artwork gets displayed up on our art display or burlap covered bulletin boards and the rest can get stored in their file folders until they are no longer wanted.
If you are looking for a few other projects from the Martha Stewart line, check out our Kitchen Command Center.
And my Daily Planner.
And for more Homework Station Ideas, check out this post…
Happy Organizing!!
Crystal K says
Are the desk and drawers from IKEA?
Jenn says
Yep! All Ikea! 🙂
Lindsay says
I was just wondering where u got the actual desk with the middle drawer section? Love your style!
Jenn says
Thanks! The table top, desk legs, and drawer unit are all from Ikea.
Myra Downey says
Hi, I love this set up, did you do the desk come together or the pieces were purchased seperately from ikea?
Jenn Lifford says
Yes, the pieces were purchased separately – the desk top, legs and drawer unit. All were from Ikea though! 🙂
Krista says
What a fabulous set up Jen! I love how organized it all is – and the clipboards for display are so cute!
Krista says
That should say Jenn!
Amy @ Homey Oh My! says
Lucky boys! I’d want this work station for myself :P.
Where did you get the desk lamp?
Tammy says
Amazing homework station!!! Where are the blue bucket organizers from?? And how can I create or where can I find the burlap tack boards? Many thanks, cheers, Tammy
Jenn says
The blue buckets were purchased from a local store called Spruce Collectibles {sorry – I know that’s not much help!} You can find the tutorial for the burlap boards here: https://www.cleanandscentsible.com/2011/06/burlap-bulletin-boards.html They are super easy!
Summer Womack says
I was curious where you got the cute little stools. I like how they fit so well underneath. Also, do you happen to have the table top/leg names for the “Ikea items. I think I figured out the drawers. I want to do this!!!
Jenn Lifford says
Sorry I haven’t replied! The stools were just from Ikea as well. I’m not sure of the table top/leg names as I purchased them in store rather than online. Good luck with yours!
Summer Womack says
I managed to find everything and LOVE the results! I have no idea how to send a pic, but I LOVE IT!!! Such a useful space for our family. Thank you.
Marita says
I was wondering if you could provide the measurements of the tabletop. Your’s looks like the perfect size and I want to make sure there is enough room for the stools. Thanks! 🙂
Jenn Lifford says
Sorry it took me so long to get back to you! The table is 79 inches long and almost 2 feet in depth.
sally beaty says
I want to do something like this for my kids . . . I think I found the desk at IKEA. The 79″ one is LINNMON / ADILS but it says it requires a 5th leg in the middle. Is this like yours? If so did you opt not to use the 5th leg and instead use the drawers in the middle? This is what I was thinking of doing but wanted to make sure it would work! Love the idea!!!
Jenn Lifford says
Yes, exactly. The drawers provide the support in the middle. It has stood up great to all of their abuse! 😉
Nikki says
It’s been a few years since this post. I just came across it on Pinterest. Love it! Is it still workimg out pretty well? How long is the table top?
Jenn Lifford says
Yep! We are still using it daily and it has held up really well! The table is 79 inches long with a depth of almost 2 feet.
Stephanie says
I have been doing quite a bit of research on craft/homework stations, and yours is my favorite! However, I can’t find the Martha Stewart line at Staples in the US, so I’d like to try to recreate this from another source. What are the dimensions of the table, and the drawer unit? Thanks!
Jenn Lifford says
Thanks! The Martha Stewart line has unfortunately been discontinued from Staples, but the desk and drawer unit is actually from Ikea and still available. 🙂
MelANIE says
I love this! I am such a believer of homework/art stations; it has made a huge difference for us! Thanks for sharing these great ideas!
Cristina at Ava's Alphabet says
Great tips! I love my label maker. And those stick on metal tag holders are the coolest! Thank you for sharing on Family Joy Blog Link-Up Party. Hope you are having a great week!
Tyshia says
What a great homework area! My oldest is heading to middle school and we need to update his room in the next couple of weeks. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Jenn Lifford says
My oldest is heading off to middle school this year too. Yikes!! Have fun with the room update!
Theresa @DearCreatives says
My daughter has a desk in her room but, I would of loved making a homework station when her siblings lived at home. Love all the ideas. Thanks for sharing at the #InspirationSpotlight Party. Pinned & shared.
Retno says
great ideas… i have three childreen so i’ll choose the blue wall for them, cute
Ellen says
I would love to know where you found the desk itself- it’s exactly what I’m looking for! Thanks so much.
Jenn Lifford says
It’s from Ikea. 🙂 All of the pieces are purchased separately – drawer unit, desk top, legs, etc. so you can configure it however you would like.
creativejewishmom/sara says
Looks amazing! thanks so much for sharing on craft schooling Sunday a whole month ago. I am back now after a month unplugged, and the party will be resuming this sunday as well, hope to see you there!
Emily says
I love how everything is easily accessible and at arm’s reach! I could use a workspace like this for myself 😛 Thanks for linking up with Merry Monday this week; I’ll be featuring your homework station at our upcoming party!
Kathleen Rupp says
Just pinned! Thank you so much for such great ideas! Wow…..I need this. The art center in our house is taking over and needs some organization:) Glad I saw it at the handmade hangout party!
Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Someday when the kids are beyond having a playroom, we’ll make an awesome homework station like this. Great room that I know gets them motivated to finish those worksheets and spelling lists! Visiting from Home Matters party.
Jenn Lifford says
Yes! This set up worked great transitioning my kids from a creative art station to more of a homework station as they got older.