DIY Homework Area

Back to School Tip #1: how to make a super-cheap homework station. When I set out to make a homework space, I had two big goals. First, I wanted it to be big enough for multiple kids. Second, I wanted to be able to see it from my kitchen (so I could keep tabs on things while I cook).
In my case, it was easiest to use this weird nook by our garage door entrance. I could have designed some awesome mudroom-style lockers in that space but I decided I'd rather have a dedicated place for kids to work, rather than a fancy spot to hold kid junk. 👍🏻
I created the desk from an IKEA remnant that I bought for $5 in the 'as-is' section. I didn't paint it or cover the holes on the underside. I just used my table saw to rip the back and side so it would fit the space. I didn't even nail it down, it's just floating on top of some wall boards I attached to the studs (see pic). I like it better than a traditional desk because it's easy to clean under it and it can fit two or three kids at a time.
I knew I wanted a big screen for the kid computer (so I could see it from the kitchen) so I bought a cheap one on Amazon and then installed a pegboard to cover all the cords and make it look more flush on the wall. #shortcut I really love the pegboard approach for school stuff. I can corral all kinds of office supplies and tech gear in buckets/baskets while still allowing for easy kid access. 👍🏻 I bought the pegboard in a big sheet at @homedepot, trimmed it, painted it blue, and the framed it with leftover 2" boards.
I have completely loved this space. It definitely gets messy and cluttered at times but so does every other well-loved space in our house! It saves me time because it creates a 'home' for so many random objects and papers that would otherwise clutter up my kitchen table. (I'll share more about how it handles paper next).
Ours is in a nook but you could easily do this same approach on any open wall. Just use jumbo shelf brackets on the wall instead of support boards.
I know it looks like a lot of work, but trust me, having a dedicated homework spot will save you tons of hassle and fights in the long run. More tips to come... 😊#organization #momhacks #backtoschool