If you have a school or college student living in your home, you know that they need plenty of rest after many hours of daily study, not to mention other activities and jobs they’re trying to fit in. They also need a place to concentrate, somewhere to store all their gear and a personal place just for them.
Setting your student up with the perfect bedroom will help them to succeed. In a year like 2020, with a global pandemic, civil unrest, and many other subjects top of mind and causing stress, they could probably do with all the help they can get. Here are some tips for designing a useful space.
Invest in a Good Bed
For your student to study and perform at their best, they need to be well-rested. One of the most essential things in their room will be their bed setup. Invest in a quality bed frame that will provide the right support for a base. It’s likely time to update their mattress, too, especially if they’ve had the same small single bed since they were a kid.
Choose something that suits their body shape and sleeping preferences, and opt for a quality, natural latex mattress or other product that reduces allergens and helps keep them healthy. You might want to add a mattress topper to the bed for extra comfort, too. Also, ensure they have soft, breathable bedding in a design that matches their tastes. They’ll need the right pillow selection to sleep soundly, too.
Set Up a Proper Work Space
Another critical element of the perfect student bedroom is a practical workspace. The bedroom is, fingers crossed, large enough to hold a decent-sized desk. If you can’t fit a dedicated desk in, consider incorporating one into a built-in bookcase or find a chest of drawers or dresser, etc., that can perform double-duty if space limitations are at play.
Hopefully, the desk will have drawers and shelves to store all their books, stationery, and other projects. Your young student will also require a comfortable, adjustable chair with good lumbar support.
Incorporate Seating
Students often like to arrange some study time with their classmates to work on projects together and discuss assignments. When this happens, it’s helpful for them to get together in a sitting area inside their bedroom. As such, look for a spot where you can set up some chairs, ottomans, bean bags, or plush cushions for this communal time. Your child can also use this area at other times for quiet reading and contemplation.
Ensure There’s Enough Light
Lighting is critical in a student’s room. They need to be able to see what they’re typing, writing, reading, or otherwise working on, both during daylight hours and at night, without straining their eyes. Ensure their bedroom has enough natural light coming in from windows or skylights, and position the student’s desk near this source. Plus, add a quality desk lamp and an overhead light to give them all the illumination they need.
On the other hand, also add thick curtains, blinds, or other drapery so students can block out the light when they’re trying to catch up on much-needed shut-eye or watching a TV or laptop screen for an assignment.
Consider Color
The right color in a room sets the mood and will help to make your child feel comfortable, at ease, and motivated in their space. Get their input on their preferred shades for the wall colors and the hues incorporated into flooring, rugs, artwork, bedding, and other accessories. Designers tend to recommend either neutral, calming wall colors to avoid visual clutter or warm colors to promote creativity and focus in a student bedroom.
Make the Room Temperate and Filled with Fresh Air
For students to concentrate and sleep properly in their bedrooms, the spaces must work for them temperature-wise. Help your child stay comfortable year-round by installing a reverse-cycle HVAC unit in their room or a plug-in heater or fan. A ceiling fan will also help to circulate air and keep things pleasant.
Plus, it pays for youngsters to have windows they can open for fresh air to help keep them awake and alert. You can also provide them with one or more indoor plants. Not only does greenery look lovely in a space and promote a calm mindset, but it also improves air quality.
Students need willpower, dedication, and time and effort to excel at their studies, and natural talent assists, too, of course. However, you can support your child to do their best by setting them up in a bedroom that works well for their needs.
