How to Design a Classroom With Furniture

Decide what type of chairs, desks or tables you want to use in your classroom. Individual desks provide each student with their own personal space, but take up more room than folding tables. Your seating choice may be dependent on the age range that you are teaching. Adults are better at sharing table space than younger children.

Draw a diagram of the classroom space. Include the measurements of each wall. You should include on your diagram any immovable objects like lockers, chalkboards, bookshelves, windows and doors.

Decide what direction you want your classroom to face. Choose a wall that is free of windows to keep distractions down. Arrange your seating to face that direction. Sit in a few seats to determine if you have picked a wall that everyone in the classroom can see.

Determine if you want to place your desk at the front of the classroom, on the side or in the back. By placing a desk at the front, you limit movement in front of a dry-erase board or chalkboard. Placing a desk on the side, however, will prevent adequate views of the entire classroom. A desk in the back of the room will remove you from the instructional area of the classroom.

Designate a play area that is away from the instructional space of the room. Set comfortable beanbag chairs, foam or fuzzy rugs out for younger children. Store all the toys, games and books in one area to control the clutter and teach children organizational skills.

Place a storage space for you near your desk, so that it is easy to access files, assignments and books. You can use a file cabinet or lockers to hold all of your papers.