How to Create a Functional Homework Space in an Already Small Space...The Welcome Back to School Edition.

The Commodore officially starts Kindergarten this year and both kids are registered for FLVS Flex. If you are not aware of what this is and you are not living in Florida, it is Florida's version of public school, but it is remote. There are two versions of this and the Flex that my kids are under is just as it sounds. It gives the students the flexibility to do other things, such as signing them up for afterschool activities that may not be part of the regular curriculum, doing your own field trips when you want to do them, etc. I hesitate writing this out because I know how this can go sideways from Sunday, however, this has nothing to do with religion or wanting to introduce religious studies and I have no problem with those that do, this is just something that for now we have decided to do with the kids. The comfort in this is knowing that it follows the state's curriculum, so if we decide to have them in a physical classroom, they will not be behind their classmates. Okay, enough about that!

Anywhoo, finding space in an already populated area is already hard, so I had to re-evaluate some of the space to ensure that they would each have a designated space to work. EV already had a 'school/homework' area since she was in first grade FLVS Flex last year, but the Commodore's room was smaller and did not have the same amount of wall space. Creating a comfy 'school/homework' area took a little more finagling and thought. I really loved his current space, so I did a deep dive into desks to find something small, but with enough room to fit the area I had in mind, enough desk space for his laptop, and space to write. I did get a little emotional removing some of the Jurassic Park storage boxes (with padded lids for sitting) that he had in his room as I had to allocate space elsewhere for the items that were in it and removing them altogether when I loved them so much was a lot. One, I was able to put it into the closet, another I put it next to his desk and I did end up having to put the third in the garage as having it beneath the desk did not make any sense (it looked really busy too).

Are they not the cutest storage cubes ever?!

I ended up buying another one of THESE that I put next to the desk (it is a steal for $30 as most of them throughout Amazon are closer to $75-100). Several of the 'drawers/pull-downs' I used for the toys that were in the Jurassic Park storage containers and the top drawer I used for his laptop, mouse, writing materials, etc. With a padded laptop case, it does fit, but you need to be careful taking it out, which I am grateful for. We have another area in the house allocated for supplies and such, so we did not need to worry about putting everything into their rooms.

Prior to realizing his laptop could fit in here

I love the faux leather drawer tabs that pull these magnetic enclosures open. Super easy for smaller kids to open and close, everything stays securely in and it makes it look a little more higher end with the frosted plastic glass front.

Get yourself some really cute desk building labor...I am telling you, no one loves putting furniture together than my kids. EV has been this way since she was bout two lol.

I ended up getting the Commodore THIS desk. Full transparency, I love the fabric drawers, I am not smitten with the desk. It is on the cheaper side, but for $50 or something of the like, it was hard to argue. I did not want to commit to a nicer desk as they were bigger and were not really toddler conducive. Plus, I needed it to fit in a specific area and it could not be taller than a specific height either so overall it does what I need it too even though aesthetically I would love for it to be a little more pleasing. I do love how much space there is on top and the hook on the side for the Commodore's headphones (which is currently holding his Indiana Jones adventure bag). Side note, our desk has white drawer pulls and not the black ones pictured in the description which are slightly disappointing as I would have preferred the black just for aesthetic reasons. Now as I am writing this I realize I can just spray paint them. Problem solved....

This picture alone shows you why the size of the desk was super important. I may have compromised on the dinosaur storage, but I was not about too with those dinosaur hooks. I did have his backpacks hanging off that too which I obviously also had to relocate, but the hats were able to stay. I bought those white car storage holders forever ago at Target's Bullseye and they never returned. Takes a little finagling, but I love them and just put his special cars up there.

The Commodore was more excited about getting a spinny chair like his sister and he picked out THIS one. It is a really cute lilac color as he is digging purple right now. EV has a turquoise one, so I figure if their color choices swap, it will work itself out. The chair comes in a lot of great colors and is quite comfy.

I also bought him THIS desk lamp as well. I like that it is a touch bottom with an LED light. It also has a series of light brightness (bright, warm, etc.). It has a nice large round top so I feel that it will cover a good amount of his schoolwork (not that he doesn't have other forms of light in his room) and it is easy to turn off. Plus the pencil/pen cup holder attached is a nice touch and I am nothing if not a lover of maximizing space and having more places to put things.

I probably should have put everything out that he would need for school to make sure that the area would be conducive to him. He is the only one in our immediate family that is left handed, so sometimes I set things up and then have to rearrange the area to best suit the Commodore. I am most excited to see him work in the space, take in his whole new learning environment (the kids is a sponge and loves learning new things and then sharing said new things) and just to see the interactions between he and his classmates as yes, some of his course are live.

Anyone want to start taking bets now how how quickly this area is going to evolve during the school year? An organizing mama's work is never done ;)