The modern classroom is very different from even 20 years ago. It has tablets, dry-erase walls, and also couches. Not only do classes have these fun improvements, but they’re also getting students more involved and collaborative. It’s essential to buy the right kind of furniture for your classroom so learners can be set up for success in academics and relationships. We’ve written a guide on purchasing classroom furniture and flexible seating so that you can create a thriving learning environment.
What Classroom Furniture Do You Need?
Grade school classrooms are places to learn, build relationships, and create. You might be asking where to start in building this type of atmosphere. Basic pieces are the best place to start when you have an empty classroom and then fill with flexible seating and accessories.
Desks
Any great learning environment has desks to write and create on. Mix up the layout of traditional desks to keep students interested or use alternative methods like tables or mobile desks. Use a variety of desk types to create stations in your room.
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Occasional Group Work:
Frequent Group Work:
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Class of 15
Class of 20+
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Using Instead of Desks:
Use for Group Work:
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Chairs
A functional place to sit is essential to engagement in the classroom. Whether you choose traditional chairs or flexible seating options like bean bags, be sure to have a variety of places to sit and collaborate.
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For Collaboration:
Alternative to Chairs:
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Accessories
Make your area feel more like home with accessories for your classroom. Rugs can create a flexible space for students, and mobile storage can offer options for learning stations. Set up flexible learning areas with the use of classroom accessories.
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Technology Essentials
Schools utilize technology in classrooms with tablets and laptops to further the impact of their lesson plans. Furniture to charge and store technology is essential to a modern classroom.
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Designing Flexible Spaces
The key to successful students is a well-designed classroom. A collaborative space allows children to work together on projects, create as a group, and solve problems together. Creating areas like this in your room will foster these types of interactions and encourage attentive participation. There are several benefits to utilizing flexible seating in your class.
Benefits to Open Spaces in the Classroom
- Increase Focus – According to the Journal of Learning Spaces; “Space has a causal impact on instructor behavior, classroom activities, and the levels at which students are on-task”. This means that a flexible classroom can help increase productivity and work produced by students.
- Encourage Movement – Sitting all day can be difficult for anyone, especially younger children. Flexible seating and collaborative spaces can reduce the amount of sitting in one place or in one type of chair all day.
- Build Relationships – Students can build relationships by working in groups on projects and tasks. This type of collaboration can also assist in building stronger teacher-student relationships by allowing teachers to work with smaller groups at a time.
- Empower with Choices – Children appreciate being offered choices when it comes to their learning. Adding different kinds of seating gives students different options for doing work and projects.
Ideas for Flexible Seating
Cushions
Add cushions to the floor in a corner of your room. They become a great space to read, spend quiet time, and have conversations. Or add cushions next to a low table for a different type of workspace.
Cluster Desks
Cluster desks facing each other in groups of 6-8. This creates a “board room” type of table to work together and converse.
Reading/Conversation Nook
Add comfortable furniture and pillows to create a homey area for reading and conversation. This area is great for breaks, reading time, and group activities.
Floor Space
Get some rugs and add pillows for a comfortable floor workspace. Utilize the floor as an option for reading and doing quiet work.
More Ideas on Schools
Looking for more information on equipping your school and cafeteria? Read about School Cafeteria Nutrition and School Cafeteria Supplies in our Resource Center.
Kelsey Moriarty is a Content Specialist at Central Restaurant Products. Her focus at Central is in the Food Prep and Furniture areas. Kelsey’s background is in technology and marketing with particular experience in SEO and E-Commerce. She enjoys helping customers make better decisions as well as working on her copywriting skills!
