With the current coronavirus pandemic, schools around the world have closed their doors in favor of online learning. But, most of our homes aren't set up to provide a good educational environment for our children. Up next, we'll offer some top tips for transforming a space into a multi-functional room where your kids can learn, grow, and play, all from the comfort of home.
What Is A Multi-Functional Room?
Simply put, a multi-functional room is one where you can comfortably do a variety of activities, from reading and watching TV to completing school assignments. Multi-functional rooms have become all the more important since our homes now double as both living and working spaces.
How To Create A Multi-Functional Room For Remote Learning
Turning your living room into a remote learning environment for your kids that's also a nice place to relax at the end of the day might sound a bit challenging. But, with a bit of ingenuity, anything is possible. Here are some tips for getting it done:
1. Have Reasonable Expectations
Remote learning is not the same as being in a classroom, so don't worry too much about turning your space into a school. It's more important that you have a room that's functional and comfortable for everyone in your household. Additionally, while aesthetics are important, functionality is your number one priority with a multi-purpose room.
2. Determine What You Need
Before you start rearranging your room and potentially buying new furniture, consider what your needs actually are. For most home learning situations, you'll need:
- A flat surface for writing, drawing, and creating
- Comfortable all-day seating
- Storage options for organizing your supplies
- Outlets or powerstrips nearby for charging electronics
3. Find A Suitable Space
Not every room in your house is an ideal multi-functional room. Some spaces will lend themselves better to this task than others. Potential options for a multi-purpose home learning room include your living room or finished basement.
When choosing a space for a multi-functional room, you'll want one that's not too cluttered. While it's okay - and often beneficial - to have some wall hangings, too much can be distracting for kids that are trying to focus. You might want to also consider a space with a window since natural light can help boost learning.
4. Choose Multi-Purpose Furniture
Unless you have a large room to work with, you probably won't have space for a lot of furniture. Fold-away desks and an assortment of storage fixtures can help you quickly transition a room from a learning space to a living space.
5. Make It Personal
Any good learning area should be designed with the student in mind. Ask your children what helps them learn best and what you can do to support their studies. Consider adding personal touches, like family photos or posters from their favorite shows to make them feel more comfortable learning at home.
Don't Stress
Juggling the demands of remote learning and working from home can be challenging, to say the least. But, don't focus too much on creating the "perfect" space. Instead, try to use what you have to create a space that's comfortable and functional for everyone to enjoy.