Making a teen's room a study, too
A bedroom devoted to study doesn't have to be dour or lack flair. Use punchy colors and sophisticated design to help your young scholar feel both smart and hip. Credit: www.getdecorating.com/
In many youngsters' bedrooms, the emphasis is clearly on succeeding in sports, technology or fashion. However, a room designed around making education and learning cool might help make a teen more school-focused -- and a stronger student to boot.
Emphasize learning
A room that encourages a child to be more creative, inquisitive and studious stimulates those qualities. Start by setting aside a dedicated study space. A desk is a natural choice; make sure there's plenty of room for an open book and space to spread out papers. If the desk is only big enough for a computer, study time could give way to playing computer games. The computer itself should be carefully chosen. Opt for an all-in-one unit that takes up little space, a netbook or laptop that's compact, yet still provides good computing power. Many compact printers are small enough to fit in a desk file drawer.
A room focused on education also needs a spot to post accomplishments, further reinforcing schoolwork. An oversized bulletin board works perfectly -- and gives your child a spot to tack up pictures, notes or certificates instead of puncturing bedroom walls. Accessories with an accent on learning are another nice touch. Maps, globes and schedules are all good choices. To make the room even more fun, invite your young student to go shopping for coordinated accessories to make his or her desk area more grown-up and less haphazard.
Arrange studiously
One of the most common traits among successful students is a love of reading. To encourage this activity, create a reading nook complete with area rug, comfy chair, bookcase and reading light. This may encourage your budding scholar to crack open a classic, or at the least provide a comfortable spot for assigned reading. If there's room and you're handy, build a window seat out of stock cabinets to encourage leisure reading. Install, paint and top with comfortable cushions.
Think organization and style
It's always a good idea to buy organizers for cabinets, drawers or under desks to keep all the desk flotsam and jetsam tidy and easy to find. And don't forget style. A room devoted to study doesn't have to be dour or lack flair. In fact, a flat, humorless room is likely to turn off your budding Einstein. Try a play on education themes, such as book classics, the sciences, or historical figures in the decor. Add some punchy colors and sophistication into the mix and your student will feel both smart and hip.
