With school just days away, some parents want to create inviting homework areas for students.

It’s hard not to think about the upcoming mornings of making lunches and getting our kids out of bed and ready for the day.

One of the most popular questions I get this time of year is about finding a place in the house where a child can happily do their homework.

Not an easy request at the best of times.

There are a few keys details in creating the perfect studying location for a child.

Of course, their age will affect some of these ideas. But for the most part, we’re never too old to enjoy an inviting and comfortable place in the house to curl up and read a great book.

Keeping a distraction such as a TV out of the area being used to study is important.

A computer can also be a distraction, but as the child gets older tat’s often required for homework.

If you have limited space in your house, it is possible to install a table that folds down from the wall?

With a small reading lamp on the table, it can actually be quite effective. Lighting is probably one of the most important aspects of creating a good environment for working on homework.

Task lighting which focuses on the task at hand can be used in combination with overhead lighting.

Many styles and designs can be found to suit the look you want to achieve. I would suggest using incandescent lighting over the fluorescent, as it is much easier on the eyes.

Calming colours in a room can make more of difference in our ability to concentrate than we realize. Soft muted tones are both relaxing and soothing.

There is a reason why fast food restaurants are painted with bright primary colours.

I recently spoke to a client who insisted their children studied to soft classical music. Apparently the beat of the music was consistent to the beat of a person’s brain, thus encouraging their studying, (if nothing else, it will be nice listening to.)

Try keeping the studying area out of the busy places in the house.

A spacious upstairs landing can be converted into a cozy reading nook.

A built-in cupboard was installed under a large west-facing window. A large cushion was made for the top of the cupboard with beautiful printed tossed pillows.

The client’s children now have a comfortable and inviting space to call their own.

For younger children especially, floors in work spaces should be either wood laminate, cork or low pile carpet that is easy to clean.

There are excellent stain resistant carpets for any unfortunate accidents. Cork and laminate are especially effortless in keeping clean and you can always throw an area carpet down during the colder months.

Homework areas should always have a child’s personal touch.

One or two pictures of the family or friends, a daytimer or calendar of upcoming homework assignments, and/or a colourful map can add to the overall look of the space.

– California born and raised, Karly Paul-Morris is owner of Karly’s Kreations, an interior design company that specializes to residential design and decor consulting throughout the Lower Mainland.