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homeschoolrooms

Top 10 Tips for Maximizing Space in (Really) Tiny Homeschool Spaces

August 3, 2016 | 9 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have 10 awesome tips for maximizing space in really tiny homeschool spaces. Also, you’ll love How to Turn a House Into a Homeschool Space Part 1.

Improvising and finding inspiration when setting up a learning area in cramped quarters doesn’t mean you have to give up style too.

I have not always had such large homeschool spaces to have my boys learn in, but I’m always up for new and creative ideas to expand on what I have already used.

Does that resonate with you too?

Top 10 Tips for Maximizing Space in (Really) Tiny Homeschool Spaces @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Look at these top 10 tips for maximizing space in really tiny homeschool spaces.

Maximizing Storage

First, I love any idea which maximizes spaces and there are some creative ones here.

10 Tips for Maximizing Space in Tiny Homeschool Spaces

Creating more storage from smaller spaces is not easy to do. But I have gathered some great ideas for your homeschool area.

Photo Credit: www.hgtv.com

Short on Space? Turn a Closet Into a Homeschool Station

I love this area and whether you need a place to store your curriculum, or your teen needs a quiet place away from siblings, this is a great idea when limited on space.

Photo Credit: www.twotwentyone.net

2. Use for Laundry Bag

Store puzzle pieces, school supplies and even books in them.

Use a S hook and hang the bags on the wall. Looking at a row of clear mesh bags, it’s easy for you to take down what you need.

Your children can bring one or two bags down and put them away when not in use.

3. Height Adjustable Dining Table

Have you seen dining room tables, which lowers and raises?

When it’s lowered, it can be used for younger children or do double duty as a coffee table.

4. Crystal Clear Over The Door Hanging Shoe Organizer, Turquoise

An over-the-door organizer is one of the most versatile and inexpensive ways to add instant storage.

Sure, it can be a shoe organizer, but an over the door organizer can come with different size pockets.

Just be sure to label each pocket so that your children know what belongs in each one.

Photo Credit: www.lushome.com

5. Keep your books underfoot.

Books are always challenging to store in small spaces. Don’t forget floor spaces under furniture.

If you have the room to create a drawer, that is best.

Photo Credit: hiphomeschoolmoms.com

6. Homeschool Bookshelves on Small Wall Space

The small wall area between the bottom of a widow and the floor may seem like wasted space.

Create DIY shelves to fit the exact niche by using inexpensive repurposed wood or sturdier industrial looking pipes.

Photo Credit: lalymom.com

7. Use a baby gate as an alphabet wall or sight word wall.

Many years, I used several baby gates in my home. That too is valuable ‘wall space’ that is just waiting to be used.

I love this idea from Lalymom. Create an activity center for your preschooler by creating the wall with soft fabric.

Adding pockets for a preschooler to sort letters or numbers in makes this a great learning area.

Not only does it make for a pretty cover for your gate, it doubles as an activity center. When the baby is up, put away the small pieces, like letters or numbers that fit in the pockets.

Photo Credit: www.alwaysneverdone.com

8. Sofa Table Tutorial

Then I just couldn’t pass up sharing this next genius spacing saving hack.

Can you say, oh let me add some more books there? And the best part is that not only can you do this skinny minny table yourself, but it’s inexpensive.

I would, however, measure my books and use the one that has the largest depth to use as the width of the table.

Look at the tutorial over at Always Never Done.

9. Free up precious wall space. Use the middle of the floor.

When the boys were preteens, I bought a large oversized craft table and put it in the middle of the floor to free up valuable wall space.

Our wall space was also limited because one wall had all windows.

The added bookshelves under the table was a welcomed storage space.

Photo Credit: www.pinterest.com

10. Curtain rods are not just for curtains but for hanging storage.

Use magnetic curtain rods. And though you can put them on your walls, hang them on your refrigerator for extra storage.

In addition, you can add two or three stylish curtain rods at eye level on a wall. Add and use drapery clips to hold clear storage bags.

The storage uses for a humble curtain rod are endless. It can corral paper clutter, school supplies and even a book. The best thing is that when you hang clear bags, you can see what is inside.

Pin by Lanell Proffitt on Back to school | Teaching organization, Classroom fun, Teaching classroom

paintaninteriordoorwithchalkboardpaintforhomeofficehomeschoolroombathroomkidsroombedroom

toy-storage

(Credit: Two Twenty One)

For younger kids, use storage folding lap desks, which can be folded and tucked away behind a sofa or in the closet.

homeschooling in tiny homeschool areas


When my boys were younger and we were limited on homeschool space, they sat on the floor and set up lap desks on the floor for our science activities.

Homeschool Learning Spaces Without Limits

under bed storage

(Credit: Lushome)

bookshelve to fix an exact niche
homeschoolbookshelves-copy

(Credit: Hip Homeschool Moms)

curtain rod

Homeschool Hacks

DIY-Baby-Gate-Cover-Alphabet-Chart-from-Lalymom

(Credit: Lalymom)

sofa-table-Always-Never-Done-23-400x600

(Credit: Always Never Done)

More Tiny Homeschool Spaces Ideas

  • Day 11: Swoonworthy Learning Spaces & Homeschool Rooms And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp
  • Dedicated Homeschool Room or Dining Room Homeschooler
  • 5 Ingredients Every Well-Organized Homeschool Space Needs
  • How to Turn a House Into a Homeschool Space Part 1
  • How to Turn a House Into a Homeschool Space Part 2
  • Homeschool Organization + {Storage, Spaces and Learning Places Part 2}
  • 17 Creative Book Storage Ideas When You Homeschool

Taking a homeschool space from drab to fab is worth it especially when you’re homeschooling because of how much time we spend in an area.

What tiny space hacks are you going to try or have used?

Don’t forget to follow BOTH of my Pinterest accounts for more AWESOME pins.

Visit Tina Robertson’s profile on Pinterest.


Visit Tinas Dynamic Homeschool ‘s profile on Pinterest.

9 CommentsFiled Under: Home, Homeschool Space, Homeschool Tools, Storage, & Accessories Tagged With: home organization, homeschool challenges, homeschoolorganization, homeschoolrooms, new homeschooler homeschool room, organizedhomeschool

10 Homeschool Staples You Won’t Regret Splurging On (a little)

June 18, 2016 | 10 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

10 Homeschool Staples You Won't Regret Splurging on (a little). Grab an idea or two from this awesome list over @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

During high school when I started working in a law office, I started as a ‘girl Friday’. The attorney’s office kept a storage room full of the most wonderful smelling office supplies. This was back in the time when we still used Mag Card IBM typewriters though our law office was ‘hip’ because we had already bought our first computer.

Because we made several copies of Wills and Deeds using carbon copy paper, it was important to scour for and buy premium paper, pens, paper clips and binders. I think that is where I discovered that I loved everything about organizing and buying office supplies.

Homeschool Must-Have Essentials

That same enthusiasm for supplies spilled over into my homeschool journey. There are some homeschool staples you won’t regret splurging on though some of these items may not seem essential to you now. However, as you school longer, your needs change.

If I had put as much emphasis on collecting some of these in the beginning of my journey as I did curriculum, my journey would have been less stressful.

Homeschooling is a lifestyle change and that means that some things become an absolutely must-have though they can be slightly different because of each family’s needs.

These are some sweet splurges I wished I would have purchased earlier than I did.

Canon printer

One. | Mobile Printer.

Canon Pixma Mobile Printer. I can’t say enough good things about this printer. When we went overseas, this was the printer I took. It is not only mobile, but sturdy and the print quality is excellent.

It is the same one I use for my planner. I used printers in the past that I paid more for because they did double-sided printing.

I found that this compact version was just as excellent and when you’re short on room or need to take it with you, it is an excellent printer.

I just print out my 7 Step Homeschool Planner only like once or twice a year, so it is a great choice for homeschool printing in between printing your planner. I print a lot of copies on it too.

I love it because it doesn’t have to have a permanent ‘home’ and I can move it around the house.

Rolling Cart

Two. | Rolling Drawer Storage. 

10-Drawer Organizer Cart.  I talk about organizing my drawers for my organizing cart and using drawers in my post, My School Area.

The best reason a tower of drawers are splurge worthy is to free up precious bookshelf space.

Another reason that is equally important is that each child can have a tower with their books organized. If your children are young, they may all be able to share one tower of drawers. For the littlest homeschool learner, labeling their drawers with their name sneaks a bit of learning into the day too.

boardThree. | Dry Erase & Magnetic Board.

Dry Erase Magnetic Board – I would have swooned to have this when the kids were little. Some homeschoolers told me I would not use a board like this, but I did.

I learned since then that each homeschool teacher has her own teaching style and learning style. Not only did a dry erase board allow me to put things like word lists on it when I several budding readers, but it was also a place that encouraged my new writers.

There is something about writing on it or the wall that made learning to write a lot more engaging.

Choosing the Right Item for the Task

school table and chairsFour. | Activity table in the early years.

Activity Table Set instead of individual desks. There are some things I did right and one I did was to buy a table and chairs for us to spread out our books on instead of individual desks.

Homeschool Room for Younger Children @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Though I bought a kidney shaped table because I was worried about my toddler pulling up on a corner of a table, the activity table was so much better when the boys were little.

It allowed all of us to sit down together and most importantly, it was height appropriate.

There was no way I was going to teach them writing on our dining room table, it was just too big. Some may consider this a non-essential, but because I homeschool from the beginning, it made all the difference in teaching my sons how to write.

Five. | Bigger desks in the elementary years.

If I had it to do over, I would certainly pick this chalkboard desk and chair like the one below because as your kids get older, they do want their own learning space. It gives them a space to not only organize their belongings, but to keep them separate from their siblings.

Mr. Senior 2013 was more clutter conscience that my other two kids and he wanted a separate learning area sooner than my other boys.

I could see these desks working for older elementary kids to help teach them organization before I moved everybody to the dining room table.

chalkdesk and chair

Six. | Safe removable storage.

Safe removable storage. I guess I could have covered cereal boxes with pretty fabric when the kids were little, but they probably wouldn’t have lasted long as they sat on them and pulled on them.

Buying a 3 tier storage unit when the kids were little and I had many different kinds of manipulatives was a sanity-saver. It kept them at the kids height and the baskets could be taken to the floor, but had a place to be returned.

3 tier storageChic & Functional Options

Seven. | Sturdy art easel.

An art easel is something I wished I have purchased sooner. No, you know I am not the artsy person, but I knew it was valuable to stir my boys’ imagination and instill a love for beautiful things.

At the time, an art easel seemed unimportant compared to a math program, but then again, I failed to see that when starting homeschool from the beginning, I would get several years of fun and learning through one purchase.

art easelEight. | Education for YOU.

Because I wish that there was a program to help new or struggling homeschoolers when I first started, Kelley and I created the New Bee Homeschooler program.

Educating yourself first before you begin to help your kids will fast forward you with several years worth of experience. You won’t ever regret spending money on your homeschool education.

Free 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers (on my blog) and resources when you don't know where to begin - let us help you @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Nine. | Kid Owned Storage.

Homeschooling little ones flashes quickly by and you are left with kids who want their own storage that is not babyish.

Shelves do just fine, but I fell in love with these relatively inexpensive mini lockers. Not only are they fun, but they come in a variety of hot colors, which I love.

Did I mention, they are so adorable the kids will want them in their own rooms? What a great way to free up storage in the rest of the house.

MinilockerTen. | Table or Desk Top Organizer.

Like I mentioned before, I wish I hadn’t fixated just on the needs of my children, but purchased one or two things that made my job easier too.

This desk top organizer is one of them. I  would have purchased a table top organizer for my supplies earlier than I did.

table top desk

I love that  I continue my obsession with supplies as I homeschool. What are some things you don’t regret splurging spending one dime on?

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Hugs and love ya,

Signature T

Grab some tips from these other articles.

Get Organized – Rev Up for the New Homeschool Year
Homeschool Organization – Preschool/Kindergarten Free Morning Routine Flip Cards
5 Ingredients Every Well-Organized Homeschool Space Needs

Don’t forget to follow BOTH of my Pinterest accounts for more AWESOME pins.

Visit Tina Robertson’s profile on Pinterest.

Visit Tinas Dynamic Homeschool ‘s profile on Pinterest.

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10 CommentsFiled Under: Begin Homeschooling, Organization Tagged With: homeschool, homeschool lifestyle, homeschool supplies, homeschoolgiftideas, homeschoolrooms, homeschoolstorage, organizedhomeschool, schoolsupplies

5 Days of Clever DIY Hacks for Your Homeschool Spaces Day 5 Things the Teacher Luvs

July 26, 2014 | 5 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Homeschooling is not all about the kids.  Okay, well maybe it is.  Today though it’s all about you and in 5 Days of Clever DIY Hacks for your Homeschool Spaces, Day 5. Things the Teacher Luvs,  I rounded up some things to keep the teacher happy.

Whether it’s eye candy, a cute printable or how to make a diy magazine holder (swoon), I have to be excited about the new school year too.  Besides creating my 7 Step Homeschool Planner, I try to create a teacher space that I want to be at each day too.

Sometimes it’s a small thing like a new pen or a new chair.  One year, I got tired of looking at my lamp shade and knowing that a little coral color loving doesn’t hurt anything, I painted my lampshade.  Adding a little chic to your homeschool spaces will keep you excited about the new school year too.

Look at some of these things I rounded up. So swoonworthy! Just click the image to find out how to DIY each project.

15 DIY Hacks | Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus
Easy Labeling & Storage Containers
15 DIY Hacks | Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus
Art Print Quotes to Display on your Walls
15 DIY Hacks | Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus
Paper Storage & Folder System
15 DIY Hacks | Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus
DIY Chalkboard Window Calendar
15 DIY Hacks | Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus
DIY Ombre Pen Pots
15 DIY Hacks | Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus
Easy DIY Message Center to Keep it All Organized
15 DIY Hacks | Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus
Easy DIY Zipper Pouch
15 DIY Hacks | Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus
Comb Binding Machine Luv
15 DIY Hacks | Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus
DIY Decorated Magazine Holders
15 DIY Hacks | Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus
DIY Geometric Drawers
15 DIY Hacks | Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus
School Paperwork Storage
15 DIY Hacks | Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus
DIY Fabric Covered Storage Boxes
15 DIY Hacks | Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus
DIY Floating Book Shelves
15 DIY Hacks | Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus
DIY Teacher Clipboard with Washi Tape Luv
15 DIY Hacks | Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus
DIY Personalizd Pencil Cases

Do you have any favorite things you luv as the teacher?

Hugs and love ya,

2012Tinasignature 5 Days of Clever DIY Hacks for Your Homeschool Spaces Day 4 Just Plain Clever Storage

Did you miss any days in this series?

5 Days of Clever DIY Hacks for Your Homeschool Spaces Day 1 Small Spaces

5 Days of Clever DIY Hacks for Your Homeschool Spaces Day 2 Repurpose and Reimagine

5 Days of Clever DIY Hacks for Your Homeschool Spaces Day 3 Eazy Peazy Learning Tools

5 Days of Clever DIY Hacks for Your Homeschool Spaces Day 4 Just Plain Clever Storage

Look at some of these other creative ideas!

Creative Storage Solutions for Homeschool

Streamlined Record Keeping

Baskets, Bins and Buckets For Homeschool Storage

 

 

5 CommentsFiled Under: Clever DIY Hacks for Your Homeschool Spaces, Homeschool Space, Homeschool Tools, Storage, & Accessories Tagged With: diy, homeschoolrooms

5 Days of Clever DIY Hacks for Your Homeschool Spaces Day 4 Just Plain Clever Storage

July 25, 2014 | 4 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Another way to combat clutter in your homeschool spaces is to make diy storage containers.  So today, on 5 Days of Clever DIY Hacks for Your Homeschool Spaces Day 4 Just Plain Clever  Storage, I rounded up some fun ways to use every day simple things to make a space fabulous.

5 Days of Clever DIY Hacks for Your Homeschool Spaces Day 4 Just Plain Clever  Storage

You know part of the reason I have wanted to do this series is because I have been itching to do more DIY projects.  I don’t know, maybe it’s the move too that has me dreaming of the possibilities of new spaces.

Whether it’s a clothes hanger turned file organizer or a pvc pipe turned cubby hold storage and glammed up with washi tape, it gets me giddy for the possibilities.

The salvaged drawers turned vertical storage is just plain genius too.  For me, though I love to save money, clever storage is not always about not having to spend money.  It is about making that one specific item that is unique to my space or to the way my children learn.

Part of the reason that organizing turns off a lot of people is because containers are not always unique, flexible or blend into our homes.  So instead of making storage containers useful for our home or homeschool spaces, we try to adjust our needs to a rigid container.  I know perfect containers do not equal perfect homeschooling, but it feels good when you know that you have one or two pieces that are perfect, special and clever for your crew.

Check out the possibilities.

Shoebox Supply Organizer
Shoebox and Toilet Paper Roll Organizer
Tin Can School Supply Holders
Tin Can Organizers
Supply Divider Drawer
DIY Drawer Dividers
Storage Dresser
Storage Dresser
Spice Rack Bookshelves
Spice Rack Bookshelves
Soda Can Caddy
Soda Can School Supply Caddy
DIY Crate Storage
Dresser and Chalkboard
Rolling Storage Drawers
Rolling Under Bed Drawers
Hanging Storage Containers
Hanging Storage Containers
Rolling Storage Organizer
Rolling Storage Cart
DIY Storage Ottoman
DIY Storage Ottoman
Hanging Book Holder
Hanging Book Shelves
DIY File Storage
DIY Hanging File Holders
DIY Art Wall
Hanging Art Wall
Crate Book Holders
Crate Bookshelves

What about you? Do you have a piece that you love and that is unique to your family?

Hugs and love ya,

Did you miss any days in this series?

5 Days of Clever DIY Hacks for Your Homeschool Spaces Day 1 Small Spaces

5 Days of Clever DIY Hacks for Your Homeschool Spaces Day 2 Repurpose and Reimagine

5 Days of Clever DIY Hacks for Your Homeschool Spaces Day 3 Eazy Peazy Learning Tools

Look at some of these other creative ideas!

Creative Storage Solutions for Homeschool

Streamlined Record Keeping

Baskets, Bins and Buckets For Homeschool Storage

4 CommentsFiled Under: Clever DIY Hacks for Your Homeschool Spaces, Homeschool Space, Homeschool Tools, Storage, & Accessories Tagged With: diy, homeschoolrooms

5 Days of Clever DIY Hacks for Your Homeschool Spaces Day 3 Eazy Peazy Learning Tools

July 24, 2014 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, on 5 Days of Clever DIY Hacks for Your Homeschool Spaces Day 3 Eazy Peazy Learning Tools, I get excited thinking about all the ways to use our creative spark as the teacher in building learning tools for our kids.

Sometimes store bought just doesn’t beat daddy built tools.  I remember when I started homeschooling how excited I was to be able to design our built in bookshelves to the exact height of my books.

On top of that some of that pretty nifty stuff at the store costs a pretty nifty penny and it just doesn’t make sense to pay a high price for something you may need a year or less.

Gathering up a few ideas that sparked my excitement like the ladder turned art board and all the possibilities of using a humble muffin tin or cookie sheet, I hope you can use an idea or two this year.

I am loving the divider too because it’s a great way to separate the kids’ learning spaces.

Monogrammed Zippered Pouch
Vinyl Album Notebooks
Knotted Pencil Pouch
DIY Glam Notebooks
DIY Dry Erase Calendar
DIY Ruler Basket
DIY Mini Notebooks
DIY Magnetic Calendar
DIY Lap Desk
Washi Tape Pencils
Washi Tape Clipboard
Soda Box Pencil Case
Rattan Pencil Case
DIY Mudcloth Notebooks
DIY Geometric Backpack

Have you used any of these ideas?

Hugs and love ya,

Did you miss the first day in this series?

5 Days of Clever DIY Hacks for Your Homeschool Spaces Day 1 Small Spaces

5 Days of Clever DIY Hacks for Your Homeschool Spaces Day 2 Repurpose and Reimagine

Look at some of these other creative ideas!

Inspired yet?

DIY Homeschool Organizing With Duct Tape

Baskets, Bins and Buckets for Homeschool Storage

17 Creative Book Storage Ideas When You Homeschool

Creative Storage Solutions for Homeschool

7 Favorite Organization Tools

2 CommentsFiled Under: Clever DIY Hacks for Your Homeschool Spaces, Homeschool Space, Homeschool Tools, Storage, & Accessories Tagged With: diy, home organization, homeschoolrooms, organize, organizedhomeschool

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