When we were home shopping, one of the items on our dream-home list was a finished basement with room for a homeschooling area. Fortunately, our home has just that. People are always surprised when they get the home tour at our place. Upstairs it is what it looks like: a small 1950s ranch. Then they go to the basement and everyone says the same thing, "Wow, there's so much room down here, it just keeps going!" It is surprising even if the ceiling is lower than we'd like, the basement keeps going and doubles our square footage. There's a kitchenette/laundry room, a bathroom, a large room with a fireplace, a storage room, tons of closets, and one large bedroom. {The previous owner used to rent the basement out.}

But the large, long bedroom we turned into--that's right--my craft studio slash homeschooling room. It's been perfect for us.



Among the first things I did to our home when we moved in last year was to paint this room a happy color and string up some lights across the area where I craft. The homeschooling section needed some improvements though. I didn't do much or organize it well, and so all of last year we'd usually end up hauling our day's homeschooling work up to the kitchen table. This, obviously, was not ideal. So with the help of the Target dollar section this year {their back to school stuff for teachers was a-flippin-dorable} I finally created a space that works well and looks pretty cute.



Behold: Our Happy Homeschool.



When we decided to homeschool, I immediately knew I'd want a homeschooling place at home that was bright, cheery, and nice to be in. Mission accomplished.



It's not the largest space, but remember that homeschooling curriculum doesn't take long {unlike 8-3 regular school days} and it's just the three of us for now. These days, most homeschooling is done during Paxton's naptime.

Of course it helps a lot that this room has four--four?! yes, four--closets to use as storage. Without those...let's not think about life without those.



Seriously, Target, well done with the dollar section school stuff this year. Even these clothespins are decorated to match...



So one of my tips for any parent new to homeschooling would be to create a space that makes homeschooling a happy thing to be doing. We haven't retreated to the dining room table since.









This dresser was Violet's in our last house, but since the girls share a room there was no place for it upstairs. It makes a great storage tool and printing/laminating center. {We do a lot of laminating.}{It's a homeschool thing.}



When the chickens are free-ranging, they like to come peek in this basement window and watch us.



I'll be posting some more photos on the Lark & Lola blog of the area where I create tomorrow. So check that out soon.



In case you haven't noticed, I've been busy re-vamping my blog today. Whew! One down and now one to go. I'm trying to be better about this blogging thing. Again.

Cheers,
Heather