Three Design Tips For Kicking Off The School Year
Well I can’t believe it is happening again, the summer is winding down and it is already time for the kids to go back to school. It seems like summer just started! In any case the kiddos have to get back to school and it’s time to get our lives re-adjusted to schedules for school, homework and all of the activities that school brings around. Here are three tips to consider for getting our organizing skills back to work for a successful school year.
1. Start With Organization
Let’s start with a little organization. We all have busy lives and they become especially busy when we have after school activities to figure into our kids schedules as well. Actually, to figure them into Mom and Dad’s schedules too. I remember those days of band, softball and swim practice, oh my goodness the flashbacks! It was always chaos trying to find a space to fit all of the equipment and extra clothing that needed to be at the ready when the kids went in and out for the day. I mean seriously, how many softball bats does one really need? If you have the space, a mudroom is a great space to house all of those necessary items for everyday without making the kids bedrooms a catch all. Even if you do not have a dedicated room in your home for a mudroom, a small corner can suffice. Let’s take a look at how we can achieve this for your family.
Try to maximize the vertical space in your home. If you don’t necessarily have the space to “spread out” look at the space going up the wall. Lockers are a great way to use the wall space effectively. Cabinets or lockers conceal the clutter and create a more streamlined look and is great for organization. You can add shelving as well. Open shelving can be used for quick and easy everyday items. Mom and Dad can have a locker too! Decorative cubbies, bins or baskets can be used for shoes, gloves or hats and to create personalization, decorative labels can be affixed with each person’s name for easy identification. Closed shelving can be used for things that are bulky like jackets and bags or backpacks.
Our wonderful client in the Heights needed some additional storage for their family, so lockers in the new mudroom/laundry room addition was a perfect solution. We designed them to have closed storage and installed extra hooks in side for bags, equipment and back packs. Small cubbies below are great for storing shoes and we even added a bit of designer touch with a decorative cut out for ventilation. 
Sometimes we have the opportunity to add a bench in a mudroom area. We did this for a previous client of ours as we helped them with their renovation. We added a small mudroom area to their back entry and added a decorative bench with a cushion to provide a place to sit and take your shoes on and off. The cushion was covered in a durable fabric with nice texture and color, and the bench had a secret lid underneath for extra storage!
2. Lean Into Family Calendars
Another item to consider for a mudroom is a calendar, chalkboard or white board that is both stylish and functional. Family schedules can be noted so everyone knows who is supposed to be where at a particular time and everyone can see it when they leave for the day. You can even make your own by painting a board with magnetic chalkboard paint and framing it in a decorative frame. Hooks could also be added to the bottom for extra storage, and magnets or chalk could be held in a cute box for easy access.
3. Create Homework Stations
After all of the activities for the day have taken place, we now have to talk about what happens when we get home and hopefully eat dinner. I’m sure dinner sometimes is in shifts depending on who’s home. But the dreaded homework needs to be done. Ahhhh, my favorite part of the day, NOT. Our kids today have so much to deal with and they need a quiet place to think and get their homework done before it starts all over again the next day. Creating a homework station is an ideal way for them to sit down in their designated space to focus on the work that needs to be done.
Creating a functional workspace involves a combination of things. First we want to make sure the area designated for your workspace is away from distractions, we have so many to deal with already. If possible it should be located away from high traffic areas. If it is in a bedroom, like our client in West U, it is nice to just shut the door and be in your own space. While she and her husband had their own offices in the home, she decided that each additional bedroom room would have one nightstand and one small desk flanking the bed. We thought that was very thoughtful and useful for both her family and houseguests.
Sometimes we carve out a workspace for our clients. We did this for our client with their Mid Century modern home renovation. We placed the desk underneath the stairs and behind a decorative millwork slat design that hides the desk when not in use. You can see how well it turned out in the photo at the beginning of the blog. This little study carrel was a big hit with both the parents and the kids!
Good lighting is very important to minimize eye strain. Especially when we are staring at our computer screens for what seems like longer and longer everyday. A desk lamp is ideal to help with this. Of course a good work/study space needs a good chair. There are many selections that are ergonomical and fit the user rather than the user fitting the chair for optimal comfort. They are available with so many options, from tilting headrests, lumbar support and adjustable arms for maximum comfort.
You can personalize your space as well. Color Psychology uses colors that enhance your focus and mood. For instance, green helps with focus and orange helps boost your mood. We love to add wallpaper too. We’ve even used two different wallpapers in a very tiny office because the client wanted to love her walls, small as they were. Adding a piece of art and shelves to hold your favorite things will also help you feel happy and productive in your work area.
When you are ready to design a mudroom or desk area make sure you always add a little bit of your personality as well. And if you need a little direction, give us a call!
We are off to our next design opportunity.
Fondly,
Danna Smith and Pamela Hope Designs
MEET PAMELA, A LUXURY INTERIOR DESIGNER IN HOUSTON
Pamela O’Brien is the founder of Pamela Hope Designs in Houston, Texas. Pamela is an award-winning luxury interior designer, writer, and speaker. Prior to founding Pamela Hope Designs, Pamela served as a spokesperson in media and public affairs, working with media outlets like Dateline NBC and 48 Hours. This experience allowed her to travel the world and furthered her love for travel, culture, and interior design. After attending an executive course at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, Pamela launched her own interior design firm full-time. Pamela is known for building strong relationships with her clients, who later become friends and collaborators. She is highly influential in the Houston interior design space and shows no signs of slowing down.
