Create a DIY Homework Station They’ll Really Use

In our home the end of summer ushers in back-to-school time for our three children; it also marks the beginning of crazy sports schedules, homework sessions and other school projects. Needless to say, this is the time of year when I’m always looking for new and innovative ways to make our home function better.

One recurring issue around our house is finding a place where the kids can study without disruptions. This year I decided to get proactive. I found the quietest spot in the house (a storage room), pulled together furniture pieces I already had and added a little DIY spirit to finally create a homework station that looks inviting and organized.

By repurposing old furniture I had piled away in storage and claiming a quiet, unused area in our basement, I was able to create an inspiring, kid-friendly office area. We now have an official homework station that’s ready to encourage our kids to hit the books.


Here’s the formerly empty basement area. As our children outgrew their toys and we updated our furnishings, the basement storage area had become packed with forgotten items. I removed all the clutter but kept the pieces that could be repurposed for my kids.


For example, we had an old dining table that hadn’t been used in years. It had a lot of history with our family — holiday dinners and art projects — so I didn’t want to chuck it. I also found an old, large dollhouse that my dad had built when I was a kid and that my daughter had outgrown a long time ago.


Armed with these key pieces, I got to work. Instead of adding drywall, I painted the existing basic builder-stamped concrete walls to look like aged brick. It gave the area a lot of character and made it look finished without the need to add expensive drywall. We then had high-quality carpeting and an insulated drop ceiling installed for warmth and noise control.

After the basement was finished, this corner became the perfect area for my homework station. To begin, I gave the old dining table a coat of black paint and stacked the dollhouse on top of it. Together these two pieces function like a desk with a hutch.

If you don’t have a dollhouse, you could use any bookcase or small shelving unit instead. Small- to medium-size bookcases can be purchased inexpensively at thrift shops and craft supply stores.


For seating I grabbed two extra dining chairs that had been used only during the holidays. Now they provide comfortable seating at our new homework station.

The black and white chairs work perfectly with the white dollhouse and the new black finish on the table. Using a black and white color scheme unifies the mixed and matched set. It also allows us to introduce different accent colors as we desire. For now I’m using bright, bold turquoise. I love the way it plays off the redbrick walls.

The striped lumbar pillows are our summer outdoor cushions that are brought inside at the end of the season. Instead of storing them away for the winter, we will be using them to keep the kids sitting tall during their study sessions.


To style the dollhouse hutch, I created playful art by placing an Albert Einstein photo and inspirational quote inside old frames that I updated with a fresh coat of the same black paint I used on the table.


I labeled supply-filled rattan storage baskets from a craft store with chalkboard tags purchased at an office supply store. The natural texture of the baskets softens the strongly contrasting black and white scheme. The chalkboard tags are a fun, decorative element that also make it easy for the kids to know what is inside each basket.

Our youngest isn’t tall enough to reach the top of the hutch, so I placed his supplies in a tray on the desk.


Two small lamps offer task lighting without taking up a lot of desk space. They also add a youthful splash of color.


A few whimsical decorative accents tucked in with books and supplies keep the design lighthearted. These pieces came from a local craft shop. They nod to the educational theme of our homework area.


So far the homework station is a hit with the whole family. Even though school hasn’t started yet, the kids have already been inspired to spend quiet time here. For me this project is a great example of how things we already have can be used in new, innovative ways to meet our changing needs.

More: Your Back-to-School Game Plan

Your turn: Please tell us about your great kid space in the Comments section. Photos are welcome!

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