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Q: “How Do I Create a Homework Space My Teen Will Want to Use?”

Follow these 10 adhd-friendly tips to create an inviting homework space and study area that promotes focus and productivity..

Q: “You talk about how moving around the house helps students — especially those with ADHD and executive function weaknesses — study and get homework done. But my teen doesn’t want to move. She feels that doing her homework in one spot in the house will be less distracting and stressful. Now we need to set up a homework station for her, and I have no clue what that looks like or what we should include. Do you have any ideas?” — HRF

You are correct. I talk a lot about how movement helps students – especially those with attention challenges – focus on and initiate homework. However, having one “go-to” homework space can be just as motivating for some students.

We shouldn’t rely solely on our internal motivation to accomplish tasks. Think about it. We all have days when we are not “in the mood” to do a specific task. Relying on our internal motivation all the time to complete work is exhausting, not to mention unsustainable.

So, I teach students, especially those with ADHD, to set up environments with “external motivators” to carry some of the motivational load. Our environment plays a huge role in how we get things done. Therefore, creating an inviting space that communicates this is where we get work done will promote productivity.

Set Up a Homework Station & Study Area in 10 Steps

Here are my top ten steps for setting up a motivating homework space and study area.

1. Pick Your Study Location Carefully

Some students can hunker down and focus even when distractions abound. Others need some distance from the hub of the house. My ideal? Pick a study area close enough to the kitchen to grab a snack but still far enough from the television to resist the urge to turn it on or watch. Bonus tip: Provide privacy but keep your daughter in sight if you need scaffolding to help her stay on track.

[ Free Download: Proven Homework Help for Kids with ADHD ]

2. Use a Desk or Table

While your daughter may try to convince you that her bed or couch is her optimum spot for working, encourage her to sit at a desk or table. This clearly conveys that her homework space and chill-out space are separate. Bonus tip: Does she need to fidget or move around while working? If so, consider a standing desk. There’s no need to break the bank. Just place a milk crate or an upside-down box on the desk or table, and she can quickly shift from standing to sitting when the need strikes. My student coaching clients love being able to switch it up.

3. Ensure Ample Room to Work

If the table or desk space is too narrow or cramped, your daughter will be less likely to work on it. Make sure multiple books and homework supplies can be spread out comfortably on the desk or table she intends to use. A deep table is a great option to consider. Don’t ignore the wall space. Many of my students love to hang giant sticky notes to jot down ideas, work on math problems, or flesh out paper topics.

4. Ask for Your Teen’s Input

You already know she’s craving her own dedicated homework space . Why not infuse it with things she likes? We all feel inspired and energized when surrounded by our favorite colors, artwork, or even favorite pens (True for me!). Ask her to weigh in on options, such as the paint colors (if possible), desktop accessories, and favorite mementos. The more appealing she finds the space, the more likely she will be to use it.

5. Personalize the Study Space

Yes, this space is where your daughter needs to buckle down and work, but adding some fun touches will fuel motivation. Decorate the homework station with posters, framed photos, or a cozy blanket for her chair.

[ Self-Test: Do I Have ADHD? The Ultimate Quiz for Teen Girls ]

6. Make Sure the Light Is Right

Supply ample task lighting, such as an adjustable work lamp, so your daughter can control her study environment. Or consider placing the desk or table in front of a window. Natural light helps the ADHD brain stay focused and energized — a must for anyone who is easily distracted.

7. Dress Up Walls

A wall covered in cork tiles or chalkboard paint is fun and functional. Encourage your daughter to use the wall space for notes, reminders, calendars, etc. Hang an analog clock so that she can see the passing of time.

8. Bring in Background Noise

Background noise may block out distractions and help your daughter concentrate. Arm her study area with the ability to listen to soft music or add a white noise machine to block out household noises.

9. Table the Trash

To ensure your daughter’s broken pencils, old papers, and empty wrappers don’t pile up on her workspace, supply her with a wastebasket. Clearing away clutter from the study space helps clear the mind and will allow her to focus actively.

10. Be Equipped

Make sure to include a small bookcase or rolling cart for study tools, textbooks, and reference materials. You can designate a nearby cabinet to hold materials in an office area. Your daughter can use file boxes, storage bins, or colorful binders to stash old papers, exams, and assignments. Make sure to label each storage piece by subject for easy reference come midterm and finals.

Please remember when creating your daughter’s homework space that the space is for her. Be sure to keep her preferences and personality in mind throughout the process. If you build a homework station she loves, I’m sure she will be excited to use it.

ADHD Homework Space: Next Steps

• Free Download: Smart Homework Strategies for Teachers & Parents
• Learn: Homework Tips for Parents
• Watch: Stress-Free Homework Tips, Tools, & Solutions
• Read: Your High School Get-It-Together Guide

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4 Tips for Completing Your Homework On Time

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Homework, a necessary evil according to many teachers, has a lot of students tied up in knots. Some students can never seem to get things turned in on time. In fact, many students do not even realize that they  have  homework until a friend from class texts them or they overhear someone in the halls talking about Ms. So-and-so's terrible, no-good, awful, horrifying worksheet for Chemistry that is due the next day. These five tips for completing your homework on time, however, should help you get that homework finished on time. 

Tip 1: Rely On a Planning System

Most of you by now are well acquainted with a homework planner. It has the dates, the school subjects you are taking, and a whole lot of blank space to write down your homework assignments. Use these planners if you have them. Writing with an actual pencil or pen may seem almost archaic what with technology virtually doing everything for us, but the kinesthetic movement of writing down an assignment into one of those little squares (Language Arts test tomorrow - STUDY TONIGHT), will actually help solidify that homework in your brain.

Plus, when you are packing up to go home at the end of the school day, all you have to do is open up that planner to see which books, folders, and binders need to go home with you so you will not miss out anything that you need to do that evening.

Some people  hate  using planners. They'd rather walk on a pile of crushed glass than actually write something down in a planner. That's quite all right. One student kept a wadded up piece of paper in his pocket where he'd scrawl his assignments. It worked for him, so it was fine. For those of you not keen on planners or crumpled up notes, your phone can come in really handy. Just download a productivity app and type your assignments in there. Or, keep track of all the work due in the notes section of your phone. Or, snap a picture of the homework board in each teacher's class before you head out into the hallway. Or, if you are really dead-set against anything planner-related, then just send yourself a text after each class with your homework assignments for the night.

No matter which planning system you prefer, use it. Check off each item once you get it in your backpack. Your brain can only process so much information at a time, so you absolutely must write your homework down if you plan to complete it on time. 

Tip 2: Prioritize Your Homework Assignments

All assignments are not created equal. It's strongly recommended you use a prioritizing system when you sit down at home with your homework. Try a system a little something like this:

• Examples: Studying for a major test coming up tomorrow. Finishing a major project due tomorrow. Writing an essay worth a LOT of points that is due tomorrow. 
• Examples:  Studying for a quiz coming up tomorrow. Completing a homework sheet that is due tomorrow. Reading a chapter that is due tomorrow. 
• Examples: Studying for a spelling test that will occur on Friday. Writing a blog and posting it on the class board by Friday. Finish a book upon which you will take a quiz on Friday.
• Examples: Reviewing chapters for the midterm exam. Working on an on-going project, research paper, or long assignment due at the end of the quarter. Completing a packet that isn't due for two weeks. 

Once you've prioritized the work you have to do, complete all the 1's first, then the 2's, moving down as you go. That way, if you find yourself pressed for time because Great-Grandma decided to stop over for family dinner and your mom insisted you spend the evening playing bridge with her despite the fact that you have hours of homework ahead of you, then you will not have missed anything vitally important to your grade. 

Tip 3: Get the Worst Assignment Over With First

So, maybe you absolutely hate writing essays (But, why, though when all you have to do is follow these essay tips? ) and you have a major essay staring you in the face that  must  be completed before tomorrow. You also have to study for a major math test, complete a social studies blog by Friday, study for the ACT  next month, and finish up your science worksheet from class. Your "1" assignments would be the essay and the math test. Your "2" assignment is the science worksheet, the "3" assignment is that blog, and the "4" assignment is studying for the ACT. 

Ordinarily, you would start with the science worksheet because you  love  science, but that would be a big mistake. Start with those "1" assignments and knock out that essay first. Why? Because you hate it. And completing the worst assignment first gets it off your mind, out of your homework cache, and makes everything that comes after it appears to be really, really easy. It will be an absolute  joy  to complete that science worksheet once you have written the essay. Why rob yourself of joy? 

Then, once you've completed the stuff due first, you can focus on putting in a little bit of time on the ACT. Easy peasy.

Tip 4: Take Planned Breaks

Some people believe that sitting down to complete homework means that you literally park your behind in a chair and you don't move it for the next four thousand hours or so. That is one of the worst study ideas in history. Your brain only has the capacity to stay focused for about 45 minutes (maybe even less for some of you) before it goes on the fritz and starts wanting to make you get up and dance the Roger Rabbit. So, schedule your study time with breaks actually built in . Work for 45 minutes, then take a 10-minute break to do whatever it is people your age like to do. Then, rinse and repeat. It looks a little something like this:

Homework Time:

• 45 minutes: Work on "1" assignments, starting with the absolute worst.
• 10 minutes: Get a snack, play Pokemon Go!, surf Instagram
• 45 minutes: Work on "1" assignments again. You know you didn't finish.
• 10 minutes: Do some jumping jacks, dance the Macarena, polish your nails.
• 45 minutes: Work on "2" assignments and maybe even finish with any 3s and 4s. Put everything in your backpack.

Completing your homework on time is a learned skill. It requires some discipline and not everyone is naturally disciplined. So, you have to practice checking that you have everything you need for homework when you are still at school, prioritizing your work, plunging into the assignments you loathe, and taking planned breaks. Isn't your grade worth it?

You bet it is. 

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15 Tips for Creating the Most Productive Homework Space

Creating a space in your living area dedicated to homework is a smart move. It creates space dedicated to nothing but homework, and accomplishing your goals. Here’s how to make the most of your space so you can get the best out of time spent doing homework.

The lighting

Keep it neat, put away unnecessary electronics, organize cords, provide ample supplies, print out reference materials, make it inspirational, use a whiteboard, use felt tiles, do your own work together, stick to a schedule, reward hard work.

Choose a room or area that’s in a quiet area. For instance, a desk next to the living room sofa might not be ideal for productivity. Instead, place work areas in vacant rooms or partitioned areas. If you have a large common room you’d like to divide or if you have an open floor plan, consider a room divider like this handmade, woven rattan from Rose Home Fashion that doubles as a shelf.

A productive homework station starts with a designated work space. Promote good posture and concentration with this adjustable from Mount-It!, which also tilts out for more versatile use. The desk starts at 21.3 inches and adjusts up to 30 inches. For older schoolchildren, opt for a desk with enough work space and compartments for desk supplies. Try floating desk for a more modern feel and extra shelf space. It measures 19.8 inches by 42.2 inches by 39.5 inches.

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Comfort is crucial, especially for older children (and adults) who need longer working times. An ergonomic swivel chair with an adjustable height is ideal. This from XISHE has an adjustable seat height of 16.5 inches to 20.4 inches. For , consider this chair from VIVO, which has an adjustable seat height of 12.6 inches to 17.3 inches.

A well-lit space is necessary for optimal study performance. Besides installing a ceiling lamp and/or floor lamp, place a reading lamp on each child’s desk. Adjustable that clip onto desks are ideal so you/your child can control the light angle. This LED lamp offers three different color temperatures so your child can choose what helps them work best.

To encourage organization skills, clear your piles, suggests Life Hack . Mesh trays with multiple trays and compartments for smaller supplies like pencils are a popular choice. measures 13 inches in length, 9 inches in width, and 15.5 inches in height. It’s ideal for sorting paperwork for multiple classes. For irregular-sized supplies like arts and crafts material, consider a rolling cart with up to 12 drawers. A large size for this one measures 11 inches wide, 5.5 inches high, and 15 inches deep. For further guidance, take a look at our list of easy desk organization ideas .

If your child does not need a tablet or any other electronics for homework, place the gadget in a designated electronics box. For instance, KWLET’s felt storage box comes in a large size measuring 14.8 inches by 10 inches by 5.1 inches, which is compatible with small tablets and phones. Making your homework station electronic-free removes unnecessary distractions.

If your child does need a tablet or laptop to complete homework, a cord organizer like this rubber one from Toysdone is essential. It keeps cords and cables from tangling and has a weighted base to secure it onto the desk.

Other than the school worksheets or books, children often need additional supplies. A basic supplies sheet includes pencils, pens, glue, colored pencils, markers, crayons, tape, staplers, and erasers. Stay organized with a caddy (7 inches by 14.5 inches by 5.75 inches) or an organizer (8.8 inches by 4.5 inches by 4.15 inches). Other materials include colored paper, graphing paper, lined paper, sticky notes, index paper, and folders.

Supplement school work with other material like this handwriting workbook for young children. Also consider multiplication flash cards to help solidify math lessons. These materials not only help your children study, they also serve as educational activities for when they want to take a break from assignments. For high-school age children, consider subject-specific reference sheets like this Chemistry Quick Study guide by Inc. BarCharts. Other helpful materials include SAT prep books , supplemental math flash cards , and maps.

Bright, motivational posters with encouraging words provide color and help cheer your children on when they feel frustrated with an assignment. Try this six-pack of motivational posters measuring 13.75 inches by 19.75 inches — great for lining up on a single wall or spaced out throughout the room.

A simple dry-erase whiteboard like this foldable double-sided one from Yaze Magnet (16 inches by 12 inches) is ideal for engaged visual learning. Guide your child through simple math problems or the alphabet using a dry-erase board or utilize it for spelling out homework reminders. You may also use a wall calendar.

If you want to skip the traditional square corkboard, try these hexagon felt tiles. One pack includes six pieces measuring 5.9 by 7 by 0.6 inches each. They come in various multicolor packs like blue, red, and white, gray and turquoise, turquoise orange and pink, light gray, and dark gray. The unusual shapes can make your study room feel more fun while keeping small notes, homework pages, and reminders visible.

If possible, stay in the room or nearby to provide support. Try to do your own homework whether it be reading an ebook, organizing digital files, or bullet journaling. Making yourself available to help might make children feel more comfortable and boosts household morale.

Allocate a regular block of time for homework. This can be 4 to 6 o’clock in the afternoon with a five-minute break or 6 to 8 o’clock in the evening for older children. The schedule depends on your family’s overall daily routine. It’s also helpful to carve out time during the weekend to complete longer assignments or projects. When you and your child are used to working at a specific time, this helps promote a responsible work ethic and effective time management. Of course, life happens and sometimes we can’t stick to our original plans, but flexibility and adaptability are just as important to develop.

Build good study habits (and better relationships) by acknowledging hard work. You can provide incentives to complete homework from something simple like daily stickers to extra-meaningful rewards like a day trip to the museum.

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Are you a sucker for quiet time and great stories? Having a comfortable reading nook is the perfect way to escape from the chaos of daily life and immerse yourself in a good book. With the right design and ambiance, you can create a relaxing and cozy space that will transport you to a world of imagination and tranquility. Let's talk about some of the best ways to create the perfect cozy reading nook and how to decorate your literary oasis. How to create a stunning reading nook As you plan out this area, first determine who this awesome space will be for. If you intend for the entire family to enjoy the reading nook, pick a central location in the home. Further, determine how you're going to store everyone’s favorite tales, whether bookshelves or something else, and decide where they will go. Remember that all the shelves will need to be lowered to the ground for young readers.

Alternatively, if you want the reading nook to be your own dedicated space, place the nook in your bedroom or tucked away in a small corner where there's only room for one.

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How to Create a Homework Space

RELATED: Download Our Free Homework Charts !

If your child is like most, doing homework can be a chore. Completing homework is often the last thought on their minds after being in school all day long.

Most children, and teens especially, develop poor homework and study habits, from watching tv to texting while doing homework. The best thing you can do as a parent is set them up early on for success.

Having a workspace designated for homework is a great way to get assignments done quickly and efficiently.

Related: Tips for Helping Kids and Teens with Homework and Study Habits

Pick Your Space

The first step, of course, is to pick your space. It is important to note your child’s learning style. For some, being in the center of the action is the best place for them to do their work. Some children learn better and do homework faster while being in the middle of a little bit of activity .

In contrast, if your child needs lots of quiet and to be away from the center of activity, creating a workspace in the family room or den may not be optimal for that particular child.

You can set up your homework space in a bedroom, den, family room, or even in the basement. Whatever you do, match your child up with his or her learning style and pick the space that is best for him or her.

Make It Fun

Once you have chosen the area for the homework space, make sure to  incorporate some fun elements into it as well. If the desk is facing a wall, put up colorful posters or positive images that your child chooses. Studies show that having positive images to look at creates a positive mindset. Examples of this are photographs of nature or beautiful scenery, as well as your child’s favorite movie character or hero.

Incorporate some color into the mix too. Don’t make your child’s workspace bland and boring. Add some vibrant colors to stimulate the mind. Studies also show that certain colors impact the brain in different ways. Some colors are soothing while others are stimulating.

Organize It

After picking the space and colors, make sure you have enough tools on hand for organizational purposes. Being organized is one of the most important keys to successful studying and doing homework.

If you give your child the tools to be organized early on, chances are that it will be a habit they continue with later in life.

Get Their Input

Get your child’s input on the project instead of just doing it yourself. Let your child have some say in where they want their homework space to be, and allow him or her to pick some colors, posters, tools, and materials for their area. In this manner, they will feel more inclined to do their homework and study.

So, there you have it! A few creative ways to get that workspace ready before back-to-school time hits once again.

About The Author

Pamela Myers, BSEd

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Steal ideas from these amazing home office spaces and watch the good grades roll in this semester

Adjacent Homework Station

Create a bright and lively space that’ll get your kid’s creative juices flowing! The cabinets used here were ordered in a factory-applied yellow that echoes the hutch across the room. There’s no reason you can’t get this look with some vibrant paint and a weekend of DIY. Putting a desk in a space just outside the kitchen provides a bit of privacy for independent workers but keeps them close just in case they need homework help. Easy access to snacks is also a plus.

Storage-Loaded Homework Alcove

Build a space-smart little office right in your kid’s room. All you’ll need is some stock lumber, storage bins, and tracks for a sliding work surface.

Creative Closet Space

Take the doors off of a little-used closet and line the walls with a fun pattern to create a handy homework alcove. Your kid’s design ideas may not match your own, but applying their feedback will make the space—and studying—more appealing to them.

Armoire Office

This clever contraption features a door with a fold-down table for a work station that can be tucked away when the studying is done.

Cozy Corner

Some wall-mounted shelves or cubbies and a small computer desk makes for a quick and easy study station.

Corkboard Wall

Cover an entire wall in cork tiles or chalkboard paint to make a bold—and functional— design statement.

Kitchen Counter Homework Station

This tiny desk at the end of a counter makes for an open-yet-compact workspace that isn’t tucked away into a cabinet or closet. It’s perfect for younger kids who need homework help and supervision while working.

Plugged-In Study Nook

Carved into a kitchen, this desk faces a wall to limit distractions for students trying to complete their assignments. Built-in cabinetry makes for ample book and supply storage.

Great Room Homework Station

If you don’t have a dedicated room for a home office or study space, you’ll have to learn how to share. Living spaces can lend themselves nicely to multiple uses. Put a vacant wall to use with a built-in work unit. But if there’s a television in the room, make sure it’s turned off at homework time.

Light, Bright Desktop

For sit-down kitchen desks, like the one shown here, leave about 30 inches between the bottom of the lampshade and the counter.

Budget Home Office

Kelly and Wayne Averbeck of Jerome, Idaho, used leftovers and bargain buys to age their office to perfection. Similarly, you can use what you’ve got to incorporate a homework nook to your existing built-in storage. See An Office Update With Vintage Appeal to learn more about this budget remodel.

Rustic Reclaimed Study Station

Outfitting a room almost entirely with recycled or reused finds can prove a challenge. Too much salvage, and your space starts to look like a junkyard—which is why interior designer Sally Bailey lets simplicity reign in her home studio, shown here. This interesting space makes a great study station for older kids, while teaching the importance of eco-friendly design. For more on how you can get this look, see How to Create a Rustic Reclaimed Workspace .

Side-by-Side Seating

This kitchen office was designed for a mom who wanted a space she could share with her 12-year-old son. Key features include outlets for two computers, a cordless phone, and a single printer, undercabinet task lighting, and a dividing column of drawers to stow craft and office supplies. This arrangement makes a great cooperative learning area for homes with multiple students, too.

Creative Catch-All

When kids are in the picture, the kitchen office can be part homework desk, part high-tech hub, part first-aid center. That’s the case with this multitasker designed by Greenwich, Connecticut, architect Jay Haverson: The lower cabinets in the teak-topped desk store office supplies, phone books, and recipes. Emergency supplies, including medicines and flashlights, as well as electronics, are hidden up high behind touch-latch cabinet doors. A corkboard “backsplash” creates a home for memos.

Space-Saving Station

If you’re really short on space, adding a dedicated homework station can be as easy as building this. Like a ladder-rack, this clever unit props up against a wall and can be anchored or left portable.

Modern Home Office

Lift storage units off the ground! Build and hang large, high-impact shadowboxes instead of mounting traditional shelves.

High Impact Work Station

Boldly colored storage boxes are great for stashing supplies and matching binders are perfect for filing graded papers.

Hidden Study Station

Slim bifold doors make it easy to hide a workspace that’s in a common area.

Wall-Mounted Wonder

This compact, folding work surface doubles as covered supply storage unit. Create a similar space with easy-to-install wall-mount desks .

Adjustable Storage Station

Create a nook with a network of adjustable wall-mounted shelving if built-in storage is out of your budget.

Catch-All Cubby Bins

From wicker to brightly-colored fabrics, choosing the right storage bins for open shelving can add to the look of your space.

Pretty and Punctual Homework Area

Be mindful of clutter, but allow your child to pick a few decor items to personalize her space. A wall-hung clock will get your kid into the habit of scheduling and getting work done in a timely manner—or at least in time for their favorite TV show.

Walled-Off Study Station

Throw up some wall frames and create built-in room dividers, like the ones shown here, in a larger rooms.

Work Space With a View

Make homework time pleasant with desks facing a window. You’ll eliminate the need for using a lamp or overhead lighting in the daytime.

Kid’s Corner

A small corner of a kid’s room is all you need to create a homework station.

In-House Computer Lab

Make sure your study stations have enough outlets to power computers and charge gadgets. In homes with more than two kids, a set up like the one shown here ensures all of your young learners have an equal amount of real estate.

Reader-Created Study Station

Reader Carol Dregne of Galena, Illinois, created this vibrant work station for her two boys to share. The world-map wall covering makes a great learning tool—and beats an ordinary atlas any day of the week.

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Listen: we know homework isn’t fun, but it is a good way to reinforce the ideas and concepts you’ve learned in class. But what if you’re really struggling with your homework assignments?

If you’ve looked online for a little extra help with your take-home assignments, you’ve probably stumbled across websites claiming to provide the homework help and answers students need to succeed . But can homework help sites really make a difference? And if so, which are the best homework help websites you can use? 

Below, we answer these questions and more about homework help websites–free and paid. We’ll go over: 

• The basics of homework help websites
• The cost of homework help websites 
• The five best homework websites out there 
• The pros and cons of using these websites for homework help 
• The line between “learning” and “cheating” when using online homework help 
• Tips for getting the most out of a homework help website

So let’s get started! 

The Basics About Homework Help Websites–Free and Paid

Homework help websites are designed to help you complete your homework assignments, plain and simple. 

What Makes a Homework Help Site Worth Using

Most of the best sites allow users to ask questions and then provide an answer (or multiple possible answers) and explanation in seconds. In some instances, you can even send a photo of a particular assignment or problem instead of typing the whole thing out! 

Homework help sites also offer more than just help answering homework questions. Common services provided are Q&A with experts, educational videos, lectures, practice tests and quizzes, learning modules, math solving tools, and proofreading help. Homework help sites can also provide textbook solutions (i.e. answers to problems in tons of different textbooks your school might be using), one-on-one tutoring, and peer-to-peer platforms that allow you to discuss subjects you’re learning about with your fellow students. 

And best of all, nearly all of them offer their services 24/7, including tutoring! 

What You Should Should Look Out For

When it comes to homework help, there are lots–and we mean lots –of scam sites out there willing to prey on desperate students. Before you sign up for any service, make sure you read reviews to ensure you’re working with a legitimate company. 

A word to the wise: the more a company advertises help that veers into the territory of cheating, the more likely it is to be a scam. The best homework help websites are going to help you learn the concepts you’ll need to successfully complete your homework on your own. (We’ll go over the difference between “homework help” and “cheating” a little later!) 

You don't need a golden piggy bank to use homework help websites. Some provide low or no cost help for students like you!

How Expensive Are the Best Homework Help Websites?

First of all, just because a homework help site costs money doesn’t mean it’s a good service. Likewise, just because a homework help website is free doesn’t mean the help isn’t high quality. To find the best websites, you have to take a close look at the quality and types of information they provide! 

When it comes to paid homework help services, the prices vary pretty widely depending on the amount of services you want to subscribe to. Subscriptions can cost anywhere from $2 to $150 dollars per month, with the most expensive services offering several hours of one-on-one tutoring with a subject expert per month.

The 5 Best Homework Help Websites 

So, what is the best homework help website you can use? The answer is that it depends on what you need help with. 

The best homework help websites are the ones that are reliable and help you learn the material. They don’t just provide answers to homework questions–they actually help you learn the material. 

That’s why we’ve broken down our favorite websites into categories based on who they’re best for . For instance, the best website for people struggling with math might not work for someone who needs a little extra help with science, and vice versa. 

Keep reading to find the best homework help website for you! 

Best Free Homework Help Site: Khan Academy

• Price: Free!
• Best for: Practicing tough material 

Not only is Khan Academy free, but it’s full of information and can be personalized to suit your needs. When you set up your account , you choose which courses you need to study, and Khan Academy sets up a personal dashboard of instructional videos, practice exercises, and quizzes –with both correct and incorrect answer explanations–so you can learn at your own pace. 

As an added bonus, it covers more course topics than many other homework help sites, including several AP classes.

Runner Up: Brainly.com offers a free service that allows you to type in questions and get answers and explanations from experts. The downside is that you’re limited to two answers per question and have to watch ads. 

Best Paid Homework Help Site: Chegg

• Price: $14.95 to $19.95 per month
• Best for: 24/7 homework assistance  

This service has three main parts . The first is Chegg Study, which includes textbook solutions, Q&A with subject experts, flashcards, video explanations, a math solver, and writing help. The resources are thorough, and reviewers state that Chegg answers homework questions quickly and accurately no matter when you submit them.  

Chegg also offers textbook rentals for students who need access to textbooks outside of their classroom. Finally, Chegg offers Internship and Career Advice for students who are preparing to graduate and may need a little extra help with the transition out of high school. 

Another great feature Chegg provides is a selection of free articles geared towards helping with general life skills, like coping with stress and saving money. Chegg’s learning modules are comprehensive, and they feature solutions to the problems in tons of different textbooks in a wide variety of subjects. 

Runner Up: Bartleby offers basically the same services as Chegg for $14.99 per month. The reason it didn’t rank as the best is based on customer reviews that say user questions aren’t answered quite as quickly on this site as on Chegg. Otherwise, this is also a solid choice!

Best Site for Math Homework Help: Photomath

• Price: Free (or $59.99 per year for premium services) 
• Best for: Explaining solutions to math problems

This site allows you to t ake a picture of a math problem, and instantly pulls up a step-by-step solution, as well as a detailed explanation of the concept. Photomath also includes animated videos that break down mathematical concepts to help you better understand and remember them. 

The basic service is free, but for an additional fee you can get extra study tools and learn additional strategies for solving common math problems.

Runner Up: KhanAcademy offers in-depth tutorials that cover complex math topics for free, but you won’t get the same tailored help (and answers!) that Photomath offers. 

Best Site for English Homework Help: Princeton Review Academic Tutoring

• Price: $40 to $153 per month, depending on how many hours of tutoring you want 
• Best for: Comprehensive and personalized reading and writing help 

While sites like Grammarly and Sparknotes help you by either proofreading what you write via an algorithm or providing book summaries, Princeton Review’s tutors provide in-depth help with vocabulary, literature, essay writing and development, proofreading, and reading comprehension. And unlike other services, you’ll have the chance to work with a real person to get help. 

The best part is that you can get on-demand English (and ESL) tutoring from experts 24/7. That means you can get help whenever you need it, even if you’re pulling an all-nighter! 

This is by far the most expensive homework site on this list, so you’ll need to really think about what you need out of a homework help website before you commit. One added benefit is that the subscription covers over 80 other subjects, including AP classes, which can make it a good value if you need lots of help!  

Best Site for STEM Homework Help: Studypool

• Best for: Science homework help
• Price: Varies; you’ll pay for each question you submit

When it comes to science homework help, there aren’t a ton of great resources out there. The best of the bunch is Studypool, and while it has great reviews, there are some downsides as well. 

Let’s start with the good stuff. Studypool offers an interesting twist on the homework help formula. After you create a free account, you can submit your homework help questions, and tutors will submit bids to answer your questions. You’ll be able to select the tutor–and price point–that works for you, then you’ll pay to have your homework question answered. You can also pay a small fee to access notes, lectures, and other documents that top tutors have uploaded. 

The downside to Studypool is that the pricing is not transparent . There’s no way to plan for how much your homework help will cost, especially if you have lots of questions! Additionally, it’s not clear how tutors are selected, so you’ll need to be cautious when you choose who you’d like to answer your homework questions.  

What Are the Pros and Cons of Using Homework Help Sites?

Homework help websites can be a great resource if you’re struggling in a subject, or even if you just want to make sure that you’re really learning and understanding topics and ideas that you’re interested in. But, there are some possible drawbacks if you don’t use these sites responsibly. 

We’ll go over the good–and the not-so-good–aspects of getting online homework help below. 

3 Pros of Using Homework Help Websites 

First, let’s take a look at the benefits. 

#1: Better Grades Beyond Homework

This is a big one! Getting outside help with your studies can improve your understanding of concepts that you’re learning, which translates into better grades when you take tests or write essays. 

Remember: homework is designed to help reinforce the concepts you learned in class. If you just get easy answers without learning the material behind the problems, you may not have the tools you need to be successful on your class exams…or even standardized tests you’ll need to take for college. 

#2: Convenience

One of the main reasons that online homework help is appealing is because it’s flexible and convenient. You don’t have to go to a specific tutoring center while they’re open or stay after school to speak with your teacher. Instead, you can access helpful resources wherever you can access the internet, whenever you need them.

This is especially true if you tend to study at off hours because of your extracurriculars, work schedule, or family obligations. Sites that offer 24/7 tutoring can give you the extra help you need if you can’t access the free resources that are available at your school. 

#3: Variety

Not everyone learns the same way. Maybe you’re more of a visual learner, but your teacher mostly does lectures. Or maybe you learn best by listening and taking notes, but you’re expected to learn something just from reading the textbook . 

One of the best things about online homework help is that it comes in a variety of forms. The best homework help sites offer resources for all types of learners, including videos, practice activities, and even one-on-one discussions with real-life experts. 

This variety can also be a good thing if you just don’t really resonate with the way a concept is being explained (looking at you, math textbooks!).

Not so fast. There are cons to homework help websites, too. Get to know them below!

3 Cons of Using Homework Help Websites 

Now, let’s take a look at the drawbacks of online homework help. 

#1: Unreliable Info

This can be a real problem. In addition to all the really good homework help sites, there are a whole lot of disreputable or unreliable sites out there. The fact of the matter is that some homework help sites don’t necessarily hire people who are experts in the subjects they’re talking about. In those cases, you may not be getting the accurate, up-to-date, and thorough information you need.

Additionally, even the great sites may not be able to answer all of your homework questions. This is especially true if the site uses an algorithm or chatbot to help students…or if you’re enrolled in an advanced or college-level course. In these cases, working with your teacher or school-provided tutors are probably your best option. 

#2: No Clarification

This depends on the service you use, of course. But the majority of them provide free or low-cost help through pre-recorded videos. Watching videos or reading info online can definitely help you with your homework… but you can’t ask questions or get immediate feedback if you need it .

#3: Potential For Scamming 

Like we mentioned earlier, there are a lot of homework help websites out there, and lots of them are scams. The review comments we read covered everything from outdated or wrong information, to misleading claims about the help provided, to not allowing people to cancel their service after signing up. 

No matter which site you choose to use, make sure you research and read reviews before you sign up–especially if it’s a paid service! 

When Does “Help” Become “Cheating”?

Admittedly, whether using homework help websites constitutes cheating is a bit of a grey area. For instance, is it “help” when a friend reads your essay for history class and corrects your grammar, or is it “cheating”? The truth is, not everyone agrees on when “help” crosses the line into “cheating .” When in doubt, it can be a good idea to check with your teacher to see what they think about a particular type of help you want to get. 

That said, a general rule of thumb to keep in mind is to make sure that the assignment you turn in for credit is authentically yours . It needs to demonstrate your own thoughts and your own current abilities. Remember: the point of every homework assignment is to 1) help you learn something, and 2) show what you’ve learned. 

So if a service answers questions or writes essays for you, there’s a good chance using it constitutes cheating. 

Here’s an example that might help clarify the difference for you. Brainstorming essay ideas with others or looking online for inspiration is “help” as long as you write the essay yourself. Having someone read it and give you feedback about what you need to change is also help, provided you’re the one that makes the changes later. 

But copying all or part of an essay you find online or having someone write (or rewrite) the whole thing for you would be “cheating.” The same is true for other subjects. Ultimately, if you’re not generating your own work or your own answers, it’s probably cheating.

5 Tips for Finding the Best Homework Help Websites for You

Now that you know some of our favorite homework help websites, free and paid, you can start doing some additional research on your own to decide which services might work best for you! Here are some top tips for choosing a homework help website. 

Tip 1: Decide How You Learn Best 

Before you decide which site or sites you’re going to use for homework help, y ou should figure out what kind of learning style works for you the most. Are you a visual learner? Then choose a site that uses lots of videos to help explain concepts. If you know you learn best by actually doing tasks, choose a site that provides lots of practice exercises.

Tip 2: Determine Which Subjects You Need Help With

Just because a homework help site is good overall doesn’t mean that it’s equally good for every subject. If you only need help in math, choose a site that specializes in that area. But if history is where you’re struggling, a site that specializes in math won’t be much help. So make sure to choose a site that you know provides high-quality help in the areas you need it most. 

Tip 3: Decide How Much One-On-One Help You Need 

This is really about cost-effectiveness. If you learn well on your own by reading and watching videos, a free site like Khan Academy is a good choice. But if you need actual tutoring, or to be able to ask questions and get personalized answers from experts, a paid site that provides that kind of service may be a better option.

Tip 4: Set a Budget

If you decide you want to go with a paid homework help website, set a budget first . The prices for sites vary wildly, and the cost to use them can add up quick. 

Tip 5: Read the Reviews

Finally, it’s always a good idea to read actual reviews written by the people using these homework sites. You’ll learn the good, the bad, and the ugly of what the users’ experiences have been. This is especially true if you intend to subscribe to a paid service. You’ll want to make sure that users think it’s worth the price overall!

What’s Next?

If you want to get good grades on your homework, it’s a good idea to learn how to tackle it strategically. Our expert tips will help you get the most out of each assignment…and boost your grades in the process.

Doing well on homework assignments is just one part of getting good grades. We’ll teach you everything you need to know about getting great grades in high school in this article.

Of course, test grades can make or break your GPA, too. Here are 17 expert tips that’ll help you get the most out of your study prep before you take an exam.

Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

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Setting up a mindful homework space at home.

As summer comes to a close and the school year approaches, it's time to start thinking about setting your child up for academic success. One important factor that can significantly impact your child's ability to focus, learn, and complete their homework efficiently is their study environment. A well-thought-out, mindful homework space can make a world of difference. Here's how to create one.

Understanding the Importance of a Dedicated Homework Space

The homework environment plays a significant role in a child's academic performance and attitude toward learning. Research suggests that a dedicated, distraction-free homework space can enhance concentration, promote effective study habits, reduce stress, and foster independence and self-discipline.

A dedicated homework space signals to your child that it's time to shift gears from play or relaxation to focused learning. It also provides a place to keep school materials organized and readily accessible, saving your child time and frustration. Having a consistent study environment can help anchor your child's routine, giving them a sense of control and predictability, which can be calming amidst a busy academic schedule.

Key Elements of a Mindful Homework Space

A mindful homework space combines elements that promote concentration, comfort, and calm. Below are some key factors to consider when setting up a mindful homework space at home.

Ergonomics and Comfort

Your child will spend a significant amount of time in their homework space. It's vital that it is comfortable and ergonomically designed. An adjustable chair that supports the back and promotes good posture is a worthwhile investment. The desk should be at a height where your child's feet can flatly touch the ground while sitting. Their arms should be at a 90-degree angle when typing or writing.

Invest in an adjustable desk lamp with a daylight tone bulb, reducing eye strain and keeping the workspace well-lit. Keep the monitor at eye level to prevent neck strain if your child uses a computer for their homework.

Organized Supplies

An essential part of creating a conducive homework space is having well-organized supplies. An organized space can save time, reduce frustration, and promote productivity. Have a dedicated space for textbooks, notebooks, and stationery.

Invest in some storage solutions like pencil holders, desk organizers, or shelving units to keep everything in its place. Encourage your child to clean up the workspace at the end of each study session. Keep it clutter-free and ready for the next use.

Incorporating Mindfulness into the Homework Space

Mindfulness refers to being fully engaged in the present moment. By incorporating elements of mindfulness into your child's homework space, you can create an environment that promotes focus, reduces stress, and encourages a positive attitude toward learning. Here are a few strategies:

Embrace Minimalism

A minimalist workspace can help minimize distractions, allowing your child to focus more effectively on their work. It involves keeping only essential items on the desk, like the current textbooks or notebooks, necessary stationery, and maybe a water bottle. Everything else should be stored away but still easily accessible when needed.

The minimalistic approach extends to digital spaces as well. Encourage your child to keep their computer desktop clutter-free and organize their digital files into clearly labeled folders. Teach them to close irrelevant tabs and apps when studying to minimize digital distractions.

Use of Colors

Colors can have a significant impact on mood and productivity. For instance, blue is known to promote calmness and improve focus. Green can inspire creativity and reduce anxiety. Consider these effects when choosing colors for the homework space, be it for the wall paint, furniture, or accessories.

That being said, remember to keep it balanced. Too many colors can be distracting. Stick to one or two main colors, complemented with neutral tones like white, grey, or beige. The goal is to create an environment that feels calming and inspires focus.

The Role of a Mindful Planner

A mindful planner plays a crucial role in the creation of a mindful homework space. The importance of such a planner extends beyond the physical organization of the environment and into the realm of mental clarity and preparedness. It functions not only as a tool to keep track of academic responsibilities, but it also serves to promote mindfulness, encourage reflection, and enhance productivity.

On a practical level, a mindful planner assists your child in scheduling their study sessions, keeping track of homework assignments, project deadlines, and exam dates. This organization contributes to the reduction of academic stress, as your child can better manage their time and academic workload. Furthermore, they can visually observe their tasks, enabling them to prioritize their work based on urgency and importance.

The Bigger Picture

However, the essence of a mindful planner goes beyond organization. It incorporates elements that promote mindfulness - a state of active, open attention on the present. This can be done through sections in the planner dedicated to recording thoughts, feelings, daily gratitude, or personal reflections. Such mindfulness practices allow your child to recognize their emotions and stresses, helping them understand and manage these feelings better.

Using a mindful planner regularly can instill a routine of mindfulness into your child's daily life. It encourages them to pause and reflect on their day, enhancing their self-awareness. This awareness can bring about an improved understanding of their learning habits and patterns, identifying when they are most productive or what hinders their focus.

In essence, a mindful planner is a powerful tool that combines task management and emotional awareness, contributing to a more focused, calm, and effective study environment. It encourages the development of a growth mindset, where challenges are viewed as opportunities for learning rather than obstacles. Consequently, it helps foster a healthier, more positive attitude toward learning and personal growth.

Tailoring the Space to Your Child's Needs

Tailoring a mindful homework space to your child's unique needs is a crucial step in setting them up for academic success. Children have different learning styles, preferences, and requirements, so what works for one may not work for another. Recognizing and addressing these individual needs can create an environment that nurtures focus, engagement, and productivity.

Understanding Learning Styles  

The first step is to understand your child's learning style. Some children are visual learners who benefit from diagrams, charts, and color-coded notes, while others are auditory learners who learn better when they can hear the information. Still, others might be kinesthetic learners who learn best when they can move around or manipulate objects. Understanding your child's learning style can help you tailor the space with the appropriate resources. For example, visual learners might benefit from having a whiteboard or corkboard in their space, while auditory learners might benefit from a quiet space where they can read aloud or listen to recorded lectures.

Sensory Needs  

Pay attention to your child's sensory needs as well. Some children may need a very quiet environment to concentrate, while others may work better with some background noise. Some might need a desk with plenty of space to spread out their work, while others may prefer a more cozy, enclosed space. Consider factors such as lighting, temperature, and seating comfort. If your child is sensitive to harsh lighting, ensure their workspace has soft, natural light. If they tend to fidget, consider providing a balance ball chair or a small fidget toy.

Organizational Needs: Tailoring the space also involves organizing it in a way that makes sense to your child. If your child has a lot of materials for different subjects, consider using color-coded bins or folders to help them keep everything in order. A chalkboard or bulletin board can help visually oriented kids keep track of assignments and deadlines. On the other hand, a child who struggles with organization might benefit from a minimalist workspace with fewer items to manage.

Personal Touches: Finally, remember to add personal touches to the space to make it welcoming and enjoyable. Let your child be involved in the decoration process. They might want to choose the color scheme, display some of their artwork, or have a favorite plant or photo on their desk. These personal touches can help your child feel ownership over the space, increasing their motivation to use it.

Tailoring the homework space to your child's needs is an ongoing process. Be open to making changes and adjustments as needed, and involve your child in the process. This will help them feel valued and understood, and it will teach them valuable lessons about creating a productive work environment.

Involve Your Child in the Process

Involving your child in the process of setting up their mindful homework space is an important step in fostering a sense of ownership, independence, and motivation. By encouraging your child to take an active role in creating their workspace, you're not only catering to their personal preferences, but also empowering them to take charge of their own learning. Here's how you can involve your child in the process:

Discuss the Importance

Start by discussing the importance of a dedicated homework space and how it can support their learning. Explain how a well-designed space can enhance focus, reduce distractions, and make homework a more enjoyable task. Make sure to discuss the role of mindfulness in this context, emphasizing how a peaceful and organized space can promote mindful study habits.

Seek Their Input

Ask your child about their preferences and needs. What kind of environment do they feel they can work best in? What do they need to be comfortable and focused? Do they prefer a quiet, minimalist setting or a cozy, colorful one? Do they like to sit at a desk or lounge on a bean bag? Their inputs are key to creating a space that they'll love to use.

Plan Together

Once you've gathered their inputs, involve your child in the planning process. Sketch out potential layouts together, choose color schemes, and decide on the kind of storage and desk accessories you'll need. If possible, take your child shopping with you for the furniture and accessories, or let them choose items online.

Decorate Together

When it comes to decorating the space, let your child take the lead. Whether it's hanging up artwork, arranging desk accessories, or placing a cherished plant on a shelf, allowing your child to add personal touches will help them feel at home in the space.

Review and Adjust After the space is set up, review it together after a few weeks of use. Is there anything that isn't working as well as expected? Is there anything they wish to add or change? Regularly involving your child in adjustments ensures the space continues to meet their needs and preferences.

By involving your child in the process of setting up their mindful homework space, you're providing an opportunity for them to take responsibility for their learning environment. This can boost their confidence and engagement in their studies, and foster the development of important skills such as planning, decision-making, and problem-solving. Plus, it's a great way to spend some quality time together, working towards a common goal.

Say Goodbye to Summer

The transition from the carefree days of summer to the structured routine of the school year can be a challenging period for many children. Summer represents a time of exploration, relaxation, and minimal responsibilities. When it comes to an end, children can experience a range of emotions, from excitement about seeing school friends again and learning new things, to anxiety about academic expectations and changes in their routine.

Setting up a mindful homework space can be an effective way to ease this transition. It not only gives children a tangible way to prepare for the upcoming school year, but also provides an opportunity to incorporate elements of mindfulness into their daily routine. The act of creating a dedicated, personalized space for learning can imbue a sense of calm and control, reducing back-to-school anxiety. It signals the shift from summer leisure to academic focus in a positive, proactive manner, thereby helping children to process the end of summer and anticipate the school year with confidence and readiness.

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Designing the ideal study can be like finding your perfect pair of blue jeans: elusive and sometimes a downright fantasy. Whether you're a student looking for a focused homework zone or a work from home warrior who just needs some peace and quiet, the quintessential study space needs to wear a lot of hats. It needs to be chill but invigorating; tranquil but inspiring; functional but beautiful—that's a lot for a little room to live up to, right? Luckily, the design world is full of inspiration, and we're rounding up the best of the best, focusing on happy homework zones, study rooms, and home offices that will have you begging for just one more meeting or one last test. Well, maybe.

Get a Little Moody

Equal parts relaxing and dramatic, this daring study space by GRT Architects boasts everything you'd need to get down to brass tacks, from bookshelves and versatile side tables to a cozy spot to perch. For a similarly moody hue in your own space, try River Blue by Benjamin Moore.

Go Bold and Brazen

If you're someone that thrives on vibrant energy, you're probably not going to be able to easily find your groove in a stark neutral space. Play into your work or study personality with decor that keys into exactly what it is that makes you tick. Here, designer Krsnaa Mehta relied on righteous jewel tones and custom art to enliven his personal study.

Make Room for Storage

Designer Eric Olsen carved out a dedicated area for his kids to focus on schoolwork. The study zone features custom pendants for ample lighting over a desk that seats multiple children to gather around for group projects or tutoring sessions. Built-in storage with cabinet enclosures ensures that books, school supplies, and other essentials are organized behind closed doors.

Carve Out a Comfort Nook

If you're one of those people who can't focus unless you're in your most comfortable sweats with a cup of coffee in hand, may we present: your dream space. Designer Jeffrey Alan Marks leaned into all things cozy when dreaming up this hideaway reading nook in his California beach home . With an emphasis on just the right amount of light, free space, and shelving—plus one insanely-comfortable daybed—it's the perfect spot to carve out time to brush up on your history lessons or just complete the day's Wordle.

Put Every Inch to Use

When space is at a premium—and a quiet spot to conduct business is the end goal—it's time to put every unused corner to use. Designer Corey Damen Jenkins proved just how versatile a few extra square feet could be in this Michigan home, where he transformed a lofted space above the foyer into a focus zone worthy of a CEO or 4.0 brainiac. All it took? A versatile shelving unit, comfy chair and bistro table from West Elm.

Find the Light

Even the most diligent among us are not immune to the need for a little study break every now and then. Give your mind somewhere beautiful to wander by posting up your study zone in front of a scenic window. In this home office designed by Heather Chadduck , an eclectic gallery wall frames a brightly-lit window, encased in trim painted Green Blue by Farrow & Ball .

At the end of the day, having a dedicated space to study or work is far more important than how fancy—or big—said space happens to be. Need convincing that big things can happen in small spaces? Take this cute corner as proof positive. Designer Tariq Dixon transformed a tiny unused corner of his apartment into an inspiring place to write answer e-mails, and gather inspiration.

Sink Into Comfort

In the Sacramento home of designer Shavonda Gardner , a welcoming vintage Eames chair is all it takes to beckon passersby to stop and study (or read, or scroll) for a while. To make the rest of the space stand up to the stately vintage lounger, Gardner relied on an inky paint hue ( Caviar by Sherwin-Williams ) and personalized accessories.

Get Bookish in the Bedroom

For tweens and teens, there's no better spot for a study zone than in their bedroom—let's be honest, they only want to be in there anyway. Designer Katie Hodges hooked her grade-school client up with a study space that will carry her all through the way through high school (and beyond!), thanks to a custom built-in station with room for books, mementos, and more.

Keep It Consistent

In this Montana family cabin designed by Kylee Sshintaffer roomy benches and plenty of task lighting make this bonus room the perfect place to buckle down and study. The tight color scheme ensures that it fits right in with the rest of the home.

Do Double Duty

When designer Byron Risdon was tasked with carving out a WFH space in a petite Washington, D.C. apartment , he turned to an unlikely spot: the dining room table. By installing floating shelves and opting for an expansive dining table, Risdon gave his teacher client a place where he could hold class—and share a glass with friends afterward.

Clear the Way for Collaboration

You know what they say—two heads (or three, or four) are better than one. If you prefer collaboration over quiet (or just need a place to work on that pesky group project), consider doctoring up a study space that will allow you to work as a team. In this office space from House Beautiful's 2019 Whole Home, designer Dani Arps opted for an oversized work that could fit several thinkers at once.

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How to create the perfect homework space

Homework is serious business, especially in Boston, where academia is adored and entrée into elite institutions is as competitive as Tom Brady on Super Bowl Sunday. So it’s no surprise that high-end homes are being fitted with homework areas that would make junior executives green with envy.

Kids aren’t necessarily getting the equivalent of the corner office, but gone are the days of a desk and bookshelf shoved into the corner of the bedroom. Today’s homework areas are carefully sited, fully wired, custom-built spaces designed for maximum efficiency and often family togetherness. “My clients want kids out of their rooms and engaging with the family” when it comes to homework, Milton-based designer Beth Bourque said.

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Arlington designer Meghan Shadrick concurred. “Designing a homework space has definitely changed. Parents used to ask for desks tucked away in bedrooms or hallway niches, but [they] now ask for discreet areas in and around the kitchen and living room.”

Such spaces tend to be communal — that is, up for grabs by whoever needs them. For instance, for a Weston family of six, West Newton-based designer Jill Litner Kaplan called for double built-in desks in the kitchen and another two in the adjacent study, which is also outfitted with armchairs and an ottoman. Family members settle into whatever space feels right that night.

Melrose interior designer Justine Sterling said that although her second-grade daughter has a desk in her room, she’d prefer not to be by herself. Luckily, Sterling is putting on an addition that includes an eat-in kitchen area that will house a custom bench with drawers to hold homework materials for both of her children. When it comes to the messy stuff, however, she holds firm. “All cutting and gluing is done in the crafts studio downstairs,” she said.

Mobile computing and the Internet are partially responsible for the shift, allowing kids to work pretty much anywhere and inciting parents to keep an eye on the screen. Still, when kids get older, usually around age 12, Dedham designer Christine Tuttle said, they are ready for their own personal spaces. But they still keep in touch. Brookline designer Kate Patterson , whose teens have moved from the kitchen island to their bedroom desks, jokes, “When they need help, they text from upstairs.”

Sometimes kids and parents have competing ideas as to what’s most important. For a mother and daughter in Jamaica Plain, designer Heather Vaughan created a custom desk-vanity combo with enough drawers for makeup and school materials. Instead of a corkboard, a pretty mirror hangs above and a lift-off acrylic top provides a place to save mementos.

In a Milton home, Vaughan carved out space underneath a stairwell for drawers and a desktop that pops out of the wall, providing a place where the teen can work on her laptop. “As kids get older, they entertain more in their bedroom,” Vaughan said. “This leaves space for a sitting area. Plus, it’s nice to tuck away work at bedtime.”

Karen Swanson, a kitchen designer at New England Design Works in Manchester-by-the-Sea, devised a workspace behind cabinet doors in her 13-year-old daughter’s room. Swanson points to the unexpected benefits of privacy. While her daughter does homework on the bed, she uses her desk to decompress. Books Swanson read and passed on to her daughter sit on shelves above the desk. “I found a poem she wrote about memories triggered by old books; it was beautiful and poignant. I love that she has a place to express herself,” Swanson said.

Other families find creativity — and productivity — in numbers, establishing full-on kid work zones with individual desks assigned to each child. Bourque designed one on the second-floor landing in a new home in Milton for parents who consider helping their three children with homework sacred family time. “They want the kids to learn from the interactions with their siblings,” Bourque said. Gail O’Rourke, owner of White Wood Kitchens in Sandwich, created a similar space for a family with three kids in Lincoln. The location in the home encourages the kids to bring their book bags and homework off the main floor and onto their level, keeping the clutter to a minimum in the kitchen and living room, O’Rourke said. There is a lot of storage, the counters are durable (Formica), and a large bulletin board and white board are excellent for the kids to showcase their work, post reminders, or solve problems on the fly, she said.

Elizabeth Benedict , a Chestnut Hill-based designer who has four children (ages 7, 9, 12, and 14), turned a sunroom in her Chestnut Hill home into a highly functional kids’ office — complete with desks, matching monitors, and plenty of drawers — where they do homework, get tutored, and have guitar lessons. The décor is cohesive with the rest of the house, and the room is accessed by glass pocket doors just off the kitchen, so the children don’t feel cut off from the rest of the household. “It’s a great way to make this normally clumsy room useful,” Benedict said. She has designed three others since completing her own.

As part of a whole-house renovation of a one-story mid-century modern home in Hingham, Kyle Sheffield, senior associate at LDa Architecture & Interiors , designed a second story for the family’s kids, ages 8, 10, and 1. Adjacent to the mudroom, where the kids drop their backpacks, is a dedicated stairway to their wing of the house. Upon arrival at the second-floor landing, there is a simple desktop and pin board, with power and USB charging stations spanning one wall and a large storage and printer cabinet lining the opposite wall. The client likened it to a college dorm suite with singles around a common area and shared bath, Sheffield said. The older kids play instruments — electric guitar, violin, and the harp — and hold jam sessions up there in addition to doing homework.

In a Brookline brownstone, Cambridge-based designer Kate Maloney Albiani worked with the Glass family to create a homework lounge on the second floor alongside the parents’ home offices. The three kids offered Maloney insight into how they envisioned using the space, which included FaceTime study sessions and collaborating with classmates on school projects. Maloney chose love seats with firm cushions conducive to working on laptops and a solid-wood coffee table around which they could gather. Two desks are simply staging areas for books and papers.

Homeowner Amy Glass said, “I guess you could say our space is an interesting reflection of how homework has changed.”

Marni Elyse Katz blogs about design at StyleCarrot.com. Send comments to [email protected] .

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How to Build a DIY Homework Station

November 16, 2020.

It’s been a weird year. In March 2020, everything shut down. We transitioned to “online learning” and spent A LOT of time at home. We realized that with two grade-schoolers at home, we needed a dedicated homework space. Our two girls and both have small rooms (in our small house), so fitting a desk in their bedrooms wasn’t ideal. We decided to renovate our family room space in the basement and add a DIY homework station into an unused nook in the back of the room!

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

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Table of Contents

A Built-In Homework Nook

We didn’t want to spend a fortune, so we hacked some Ikea pieces to make a built-in homework station with plenty of space for both kids. They adore having their own workstations complete with file folder systems, drawers and pegboards! It made me so happy to see them just a little more excited about staying home.

The layout of our basement space was actually quite awkward (you can see the full renovation and details HERE ). We put the homework station in a weird little nook at the back of the room. The space has a low ceiling (ductwork runs above it) and no lighting, so we didn’t really use it at all before! It was just wasted space.

I love how finished it makes the room feel now and how much function it adds! The girls can come down here and do their homework and then lounge and relax when they are finished.

We used EKBACKEN Ash effect laminate counters from Ikea as desktops. They are inexpensive but surprisingly heavy and nicely made.

TIP: I’ve seen quite a few DIY homework spaces that use shelves as desktops. I personally don’t find this ergonomic. The space is too narrow to work comfortably. The 24″ deep countertop gives enough space to really spread out and work without feeling cramped.

The space is about 11 ft wide so we had to use two countertop pieces and cut them down to size. We put the cut ends against the wall so that the finished, uncut edges would make a clean line/join in the centre. We added a support bracket in the middle to help hold the weight, and rested the pieces on 1 x 2 supports fastened to the walls underneath.

Each station is exactly the same (because… siblings) with a SKADIS peg board . I love the SKADIS system . It has so many fun options to add to the pegboards to store pens, papers etc…You can move the accessories easily as well, which is nice since my girls love to organize things! There are even little clips to hang their artwork or current math or spelling words.

Office Drawer Units/ Filing Cabinets

The ALEX drawer units have their own built in filing drawer, which is perfect for storing art projects, report cards or anything else we want to save over the school year.

Floating Shelves

We added some white LACK floating shelves from Ikea for extra storage above each desk. We did the same thing that we did with the counter and used 2 shelves cut down to fit the length. They come with hardware that attaches to the wall to mount them without brackets.

We were going to add built-in wall sconces and decided that we would just keep it simple and use traditional desk lamps! These were actually in our bedroom before, but they work much better in this space! I love when you can shop your home and save money!!

This DIY homework station was quick, easy and didn’t break the bank. But it’s made a huge difference in how we use this space…aka we actually use it now!!

I hope this DIY homework station gives you some inspiration for using an overlooked space in your own home! You can add function to pretty much every inch of space, no matter how awkward with a little creative thinking!

MORE GOOD READS:

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Hey there! Love this — we’re doing something similar in our basement thanks to your inspiration! Just wondering, what type of bracket did you use for the middle? We only have a wall on one side so we’ll need a bracket for the middle and one for the other end too. Love the triangle look of yours cuz it seems sturdy and adds to the style.

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Outdoor living areas are meant to be enjoyed by the whole family. They make everything a bit more fun and festive, and can be enjoyed throughout the year in areas like Southern California. Taking your dinner party outdoors creates a completely different experience, and family game nights are much more fun when they take place outdoors. So, if there is anything that can make homework a bit more enjoyable, it just might be taking it outside.

Creating an outdoor homework space encourages your children and teenagers to spend more time outdoors and is a great way to extend your indoor living spaces outside. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air often has two to five times more pollutants than outdoor air, which may be one of the reasons studies show that we think clearer, concentrate better and make fewer mistakes when completing tasks outdoors. Studies also show that being outside and closer to nature can increase productivity. All of these sound like some pretty good reasons to create an outdoor space where your children and teenagers can complete homework assignments – or where you can hold homeschool classes.

Before we get into how to set up an outdoor homework space, we should note that it is important to get your gets involved in the process. This will help create excitement about using the space and help them claim the space as their own. Even if their taste varies greatly from yours, let them help pick out the furnishings, paint some mason jars for storing supplies, or personalize the space. It will be worth it in the end if it helps them actually want to do their homework so that they can spend time in their special space.

13 Tips for Creating an Outdoor Homework Space

1. Select the Space: If you have the space, it is nice to create a dedicated area that your child or teenager can, at least partly, claim as their own. It should be away from direct sunlight, protected from the weather, close to electricity and, for younger kids, in a spot where you can keep an eye on them while making dinner or folding laundry. This can be as simple as dedicating a corner of your covered patio or as extensive as installing an office pod for a complete, outdoor workroom. A gazebo, playhouse, garden shed or other structure may also be converted to create their own space for an outdoor study station, but folks with less space available can just carve out part of their patio or deck to make a cozy spot to do homework.

2. Extend Your WiFi: If your wireless internet does not quite reach the spot you have chosen for your outdoor homework area, you may need to purchase an extender. This is an affordable, easy-to-obtain option for expanding your WiFi to include more of your outdoor living areas.

3. Consider Required Equipment: Can your children, teenagers or adult learners complete their homework with just a laptop, textbooks and a notebook? Or, do they also need additional equipment, like a scanner, printer or other electronic devices? You may be able to set up a situation where they can do their work outside and send it to an indoor printer for printing, or you may need to set up a space that can support this equipment outdoors. If so, you will need to ensure that the area is well protected from the elements, dust, pets and your irrigation system.

4. Choose a Desk: An outdoor desk does not have to be an actual desk, but you will definitely need a workspace for your outdoor study station. If your space is particularly small, you could consider a bistro set, a fold-down table that can be folded up and put away when not in use – or your outdoor dining table can do double duty as a homework station when you are not entertaining or enjoying a family meal outside. If you have the space, you can include an actual desk or a table that is dedicated solely to homework time.

6. Choose a Chair: Have you ever noticed that adults usually have super-comfy office chairs, but purchase cheap, plastic chairs for spaces solely used by their children? Kids and teens deserve comfy chairs too, which can help avoid back problems and allow them to more comfortably work on their assignments for longer periods of time. Choose a comfortable chair that can withstand the elements, and consider adding a seat cushion for added comfort – just make sure it is covered in material that is designed for outdoor use.

7. Consider Electricity Needs: It is possible that younger children may not need electricity in their outdoor homework space, but it is not likely. It is far more often the case that students will at least need access to a computer for research and writing papers, so you will need to make sure electricity is available near the study station.

8. Add a Desk Lamp: Good lighting is important when completing assignments, so make sure your students have the lighting they need to easily read textbooks, make notes and write papers. Even during the day, a covered patio can have dark corners as the sun moves through the sky, and once the days begin to shorten in the winter months, you may find that your patio loses light as early as late afternoon. This is easy to remedy with a simple desk lamp that will allow your students to do homework outside any time of the day.

9. Add a Clock: Adding a clock to your outdoor homework space allows your children to better schedule their homework time, to know how long they have before they need to come inside for dinner, or to know how quickly they need to work to be able to watch their favorite television programs once their work is completed.

10. Stock the Space with Supplies: Make sure your students have any necessary supplies on hand to avoid having to run inside every five minutes for a stapler or a paperclip or to throw something away in a waste basket. Of course, if you are going to keep supplies or books outside, it is even more important to ensure the area is well protected from inclement weather, pets, dust and your irrigation system.

11. Keep It Organized: While it is most important to make sure that the students in your family have everything they need, it is also important to keep your outdoor homework area organized so that your outdoor living areas do not become cluttered. Baskets are an option if you do not have a lot of dirt or dust in your yard, but drawers or boxes with lids are often a better option for outdoor storage. If you opt for a traditional desk, it may have enough drawers to accommodate any necessary supplies. You could also consider a wall-mounted unit with a fold-down table that opens to reveal storage cubbies inside.

For desktop storage, or for use on shelves, you can get your kids involved by having them help you paint mason jars or small, terra cotta flowerpots for organizing pens, pencils, scissors and other school supplies.

12. Add a Message Board or Note Board: An erasable writing space allows your children or teens to make notes, work out math problems or record important due dates in a visible spot. For younger children, it might be fun to use chalkboard paint to turn a wall or piece of wood into a chalkboard that they can use for both school work and play. For teenagers, it is likely more useful to have a dry erase board in their outdoor homework space.

13. Minimize Distractions: While we want our children to enjoy spending more time outdoors, we do want them to finish their homework. Therefore, you may need to minimize distractions in and around your outdoor homework space. This might mean keeping the dogs inside with you while homework is happening outside, making sure tablets and Gameboys are left indoors, and keeping toys stored in a deck box until their homework is finished. If your backyard is particularly inviting, you may need to create a privacy wall around the homework area to help keep students focused.

Additional Resources

If you need a little more inspiration for creating an outdoor homework area for your kids or teens, check out these previous posts:

• How to Get Your Backyard Ready for Back to School
• Backyard Back to School Party Guide + Tips
• The BEST Outdoor Kids Toys to Enhance Your Child’s Mind & Body
• How to Create an Outdoor Office Space

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Functional homework stations for small spaces that look great

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Organization is always a challenge in small spaces. So much can be done with every space available and so many ways to use it. Today I am sharing practical and functional small space homework stations that can easily be built or assembled together using a few main supplies. These homework stations are ideal for small rooms, a functional study room or even an unused corner in the home. Whether you live in an apartment, townhouse or a decent size house these ideas will assist you in selecting a creative option that works best for your space. A designated functional homework station saves effort, stress and provides a practical space for kids to do their everyday homework. It also plays a vital role in creating a education and study oriented environment for the kids while they brainstorm.

Let’s have a look at these ideas:

Functional homework stations for small spaces

1) homework desk in bedroom.

Add desk to your child’s room by very me interiors

Shared bedroom homework station with personalized name frames by brittany boren leach.

Upcycled Kids Art Station by tauni everett.

2) Homework station in living spaces

I love the use of paint and frames to make this Homework station part of the living room decor by classy clutter. Great way to use one room for various purposes.

3) Homework station stationery organization ideas

Glue mason jars or recyclable glass jars to organize homework supplies on a lazy suzan.

Homework Station Turntable by Mom on Timeout .

Build compartments in drawers to keep homework supplies organized for kids. This way time efficieny is increased and focus is maintained on work and not things required to complete the work. Use containers from dollarstore and foam sheets to personalize the drawer. You can also make wooden trays like the ones in this image.

Ikea cart under the table for organizing homework supplies.

Ikea cart homework station by learn 2 organize.

4) Folding homework stations and wall desks

Repurposed pallet to make a foldable homework desk.

I love this multi-purpose folding desk that can be used as a blackboard or whiteboard and store supplies at the same time.

Painted Fold Down Desk by Honey Bear Lane .

Back to school organization or homeschooling organization. This is a superb idea.

DIY Lazy Susan Homework Caddy by Home Stories A to Z .

5) Comfortable homework stations

Functional Homework desks and homework stations

A super simple homework desk with movable cart for small spaces that can be made anywhere by educational therapy.

Build a simple divider to reduce distraction or use as a wallboard.

6) Creative DIY homework spaces

Make a stunning homework station with pallet wall by love create celebrate.

Use pegboard to organize homework spaces by craftionary.

Turn a closet into homework station by i heart organizing . Use wall shelves and wallpaper to make it pretty. Add colorful curtains to make the room presentable and hide the homework space while it is not in use.

Another idea to use build-in closet as homework station.

Kids small space study station ideas for kids desks by bhg.

Homework Station by the house of smiths .

These small space floating tables, wall tables, and other creative small space shelving ideas are great for making study and homework stations in challenging spaces. I hope you liked these ideas and will share. Some original sources were missing if you come across them please leave them in the comment section for us to give credit.

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Thank you for the feature! Love all of these creative ideas and spaces!

Thanks Hani, for taking me back to my childhood. Keep it up!

What a awesome blog! I love your creative ideas and these homework stations in small spaces are perfectly organised. Out of this I like your writing style, and gives a crystal clear view of each and every idea mentioned. Thanks for this informative post!

Great Post. Just the ideas that the world needs right now. With the Pandemic closing the schools and offices and everyone attending from home – these ideas are so relevant. I am also going to try out a couple of these ideas at my place. Thanks.

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NASA’s Voyager 1 Resumes Sending Engineering Updates to Earth

NASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft is depicted in this artist’s concept traveling through interstellar space, or the space between stars, which it entered in 2012.

After some inventive sleuthing, the mission team can — for the first time in five months — check the health and status of the most distant human-made object in existence.

For the first time since November , NASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft is returning usable data about the health and status of its onboard engineering systems. The next step is to enable the spacecraft to begin returning science data again. The probe and its twin, Voyager 2, are the only spacecraft to ever fly in interstellar space (the space between stars).

Voyager 1 stopped sending readable science and engineering data back to Earth on Nov. 14, 2023, even though mission controllers could tell the spacecraft was still receiving their commands and otherwise operating normally. In March, the Voyager engineering team at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California confirmed that the issue was tied to one of the spacecraft’s three onboard computers, called the flight data subsystem (FDS). The FDS is responsible for packaging the science and engineering data before it’s sent to Earth.

After receiving data about the health and status of Voyager 1 for the first time in five months, members of the Voyager flight team celebrate in a conference room at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory on April 20.

The team discovered that a single chip responsible for storing a portion of the FDS memory — including some of the FDS computer’s software code — isn’t working. The loss of that code rendered the science and engineering data unusable. Unable to repair the chip, the team decided to place the affected code elsewhere in the FDS memory. But no single location is large enough to hold the section of code in its entirety.

So they devised a plan to divide the affected code into sections and store those sections in different places in the FDS. To make this plan work, they also needed to adjust those code sections to ensure, for example, that they all still function as a whole. Any references to the location of that code in other parts of the FDS memory needed to be updated as well.

The team started by singling out the code responsible for packaging the spacecraft’s engineering data. They sent it to its new location in the FDS memory on April 18. A radio signal takes about 22 ½ hours to reach Voyager 1, which is over 15 billion miles (24 billion kilometers) from Earth, and another 22 ½ hours for a signal to come back to Earth. When the mission flight team heard back from the spacecraft on April 20, they saw that the modification worked: For the first time in five months, they have been able to check the health and status of the spacecraft.

Get the Latest News from the Final Frontier

During the coming weeks, the team will relocate and adjust the other affected portions of the FDS software. These include the portions that will start returning science data.

Voyager 2 continues to operate normally. Launched over 46 years ago , the twin Voyager spacecraft are the longest-running and most distant spacecraft in history. Before the start of their interstellar exploration, both probes flew by Saturn and Jupiter, and Voyager 2 flew by Uranus and Neptune.

Caltech in Pasadena, California, manages JPL for NASA.

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China launches 3-member crew to its space station as it seeks to put astronauts on the moon by 2030

A Long March rocket carrying a crew of Chinese astronauts in a Shenzhou-18 spaceship lifts off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Chinese astronauts for the Shenzhou-18 mission, from left, Li Guangsu, Ye Guangfu and Li Cong wave as they attend a send-off ceremony for their manned space mission at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Chinese astronaut for the Shenzhou-18 mission Ye Guangfu gestures from a vehicle during a send-off ceremony for their manned space mission at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Chinese astronaut for the Shenzhou-18 mission Ye Guangfu waves from a vehicle during a send-off ceremony for their manned space mission at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Chinese astronauts for the Shenzhou-18 mission, from left, Li Guangsu, Ye Guangfu and Li Cong walk out from a building during a send-off ceremony for their manned space mission at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Chinese astronauts for the Shenzhou-18 mission, from left, Li Guangsu, Li Cong and Ye Guangfu wave to spectators as they attend a send-off ceremony for their manned space mission at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

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JIUQUAN SATELLITE LAUNCH CENTER, China (AP) — China launched a three-member crew to its orbiting space station on Thursday as part of its ambitious program that aims to put astronauts on the moon by 2030 .

The Shenzhou-18 spacecraft lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on the edge of the Gobi Desert in northwestern China atop a Long March 2-F rocket at 8:59 p.m. (1259 GMT).

The spacecraft’s three-member crew will relieve the Shenzhou-17 team, which has been staffing China’s Tiangong space station since last October.

The China Manned Space Agency, or CMSA, held a send-off ceremony — complete with flag-waving children and patriotic music — for the Shenzhou-18 crew earlier on Thursday, as the three astronauts prepared to enter the spacecraft.

The trio is made of Commander Ye Guangfu, 43, a veteran astronaut who took part in the Shenzhou-13 mission in 2021, and fighter pilots Li Cong, 34, and Li Guangsu, 36, who are spaceflight rookies.

They are expected to reach the space station about six-and-a-half hours after liftoff.

China built its own space station after being excluded from the International Space Station, largely because of U.S. concerns over the Chinese military’s involvement in the program. This year, the Chinese station is slated for two cargo spacecraft missions and two manned spaceflight missions.

The Shenzhou-18 crew will spend about six months on the space station. They will conduct scientific tests, install space debris protection equipment on the station, carry out payload experiments, and popularize science education, among other things, according to Lin Xiqiang, deputy director of the CMSA.

Lin also said China was working toward eventually offering access to its space station to foreign astronauts and space tourists .

“We will accelerate the research and promotion of the participation of foreign astronauts and space tourists on flights on China’s space station,” he said in a press conference Wednesday.

The country is planning a mission to bring back samples from Mars around 2030 and three lunar probe missions over the next four years. It also wants to put astronauts on the moon by 2030.

China conducted its first crewed space mission in 2003, becoming the third country after the former Soviet Union and the U.S. to put a person into space using its own resources.

The U.S. space program is believed to still hold a significant edge over China’s due to its spending, supply chains and capabilities. However, China has broken out in some areas, bringing samples back from the lunar surface for the first time in decades and landing a rover on the less explored far side of the moon.

The U.S. aims to put a crew back on the lunar surface by the end of 2025 as part of a renewed commitment to crewed missions, aided by private sector players such as SpaceX and Blue Origin.

Mistreanu reported from Kaohsiung, Taiwan.