Education Interior Ideas I Redesigning Your Education Interior

Looking for ways to better engage your students in the classroom? Simple adaptions can really help to change students’ attitude towards learning, but every student learns differently. So how can you try to appeal to all the different learning types?

It is important to create a stimulating, calm and sensitive space for them to engage and learn. When thinking about how to design your classroom, there are many points to consider. Then you also have to work to tight budgets, space constraints and time pressures.

You need to create spaces that are beneficial for students and teachers so they can work and learn effectively. Here are some ideas to consider for your next educational interior project, whether it is a classroom refurbishment or a communal area design:

A calming environment for good engagement

Many studies have shown children, and adults alike, react well to a relaxed learning environment, where they feel safe and calm, without too many distractions. From primary schools to universities, sensitive lighting, calming colours and an offering of natural light will all help create an engaging and comfortable learning space.

Although classrooms can be hectic places at times, the room itself should form a relaxing and clutter-free base, where visual aids can be used to reinforce learning and stimulation. As a general rule, 20-50% of the available wall space should be kept clear.

Create a biophilic classroom

The term biophilic is becoming more well-known in the office environment where businesses are bringing the outside in. It's about having a connection to nature and this in itself is a great way to boost productivity and concentration.

The same principles can be introduced into the classroom to encourage a calmer environment that stimulates creativity.

Re-think the space

A classroom refurbishment project gives you the opportunity to completely rethink the use of space and how the room could be laid out. Many classrooms follow the traditional approach of rows of pupils facing the front, however, depending on the size and shape of the room, another layout could be better suited and helps to better engage students.

A selection of comfy beanbags or large cushions scattered in front of low-level informal seating can be a low-cost and easy method of offering a variety of places to settle and might be a great idea for times when a class needs to sit and listen for a long period of time i.e. during a presentation.

Screen-dividers and partition walls can be effective in splitting rooms, and to create zones of flexible spaces that can easily be moved when they need to be.

Feature displays

Make it personal to the students. Allowing students some degree of personalisation in their learning space can offer some comfort and support. From allowing light music to be played to offering colour-changing lighting options, students feel as if they have some control over the space they are working in, allowing them to relax.

Displaying student work on the walls is a great personalisation option – not only will pupils feel a great sense of satisfaction from seeing their work displayed on show, but they are more likely to remember the content of the material too. These displays can be put up in a simple frame or highlighted using simple joinery tricks. Maybe add a little lighting to showcase your star of the week.

APSS can help you find the right balance for your students’ requirements. Call us today to see how we can support your transformation.