Homeschooling without a schoolroom isn’t the end of the world, you guys! Yes, you can homeschool successfully without the fancy setup, and you might just find that you thrive best without one!
Journey to Homeschooling
It’s hard to believe that I have been homeschooling my kiddos for over 10 years now.
The journey has been crazy, yet amazing, you guys!
Our homeschool journey started with my oldest, whom I pulled out of school (per his request).
The following year, my other 2 kiddos joined in on the learning at home, and we transitioned from online schooling to traditional homeschooling with bookwork and hands-on learning activities.
That first homeschool year with 3 kiddos in 3 grades was a huge learning curve for all of us, but bringing them home was the best decision I could have made for our family!
Now, 2 out of 3 of my kids have graduated, and we are now a homeschool of 1, where I am homeschooling middle school with a hands-off approach.
All that said, this wild ride we call homeschooling all started with an epic homeschool room.
Then, eventually, we transitioned to learning at the kitchen table, experienced roadschooling for a few years, and now we have officially started homeschooling in a home again — but this time, without a schoolroom!
Creating a Homeschool Room
Before I dive into my favorite tips for homeschooling without a schoolroom, I want to touch on why our journey started with a homeschool room.
Many new homeschool parents think they need a dedicated learning room for their kiddos.
I was one of those parents.
I thought that learning at home meant recreating the school experience at home, and I was so wrong, you guys!
So, when we first started homeschooling, I turned our main basement area into a full learning center complete with learning zones, individual desks, a library wall, and an art station.
I spent countless hours creating the perfect setup, organizing our school supplies, and rearranging each zone until everything was just right.
While our homeschool room was pretty great, it did not make our homeschooling experience a success.
Switching to homeschooling at the kitchen table, however, now that was when we began to flourish.
The Homeschool Room Myth
Do you need one to homeschool?
The short answer is no.
So many parents dive into this life thinking they need one, but the reality is, you don’t!
I spent way too much time and effort creating a space that totally failed my kids, you guys!
When we used our basement for homeschooling, I found myself constantly running up and down the stairs trying to keep up with homeschool lessons, housework, and somehow still manage to get dinner on the table each night.
It was exhausting.
Managing a household and homeschooling is not an easy task, especially when your homeschool space is separated from the area you need to manage most — like the kitchen.
While I do believe there are benefits to having a homeschool space in a den or an office right off the main living area, we simply did not have that option in our old home, and creating a homeschool area in a secluded part of our home made life difficult, you guys!
All that said, having a homeschool room can be great, but it is never something I would consider a need!
Children can both learn and flourish without a schoolroom.
Homeschooling Without a Schoolroom
While I do love some of the perks a homeschool room has to offer.
For example, I thoroughly enjoyed having extra storage space for all of our homeschool extras and not having to clear off the kitchen table every evening before dinner.
However, there is absolutely nothing wrong with homeschool curriculum and art supplies coexisting with your living room decor or being displayed in a dining room bookshelf, either, you guys!
Homeschooling is a part of your daily life, and if it’s reflected in your home a bit, that is ok!
To be completely honest, I struggled with this one a lot.
I like clean spaces without clutter.
So, once we began homeschooling in our living room and kitchen, I chose to focus on simple homeschool organization that utilizes bins and baskets, fitting in with our home decor.
That said, I’ve also come to terms with the fact that my daughter learns in our home, and it’s ok if that shows a little!
It’s all about balance, you guys!
How We Homeschool Room and No Room
For the first 3-4 years of our homeschool journey, my kiddos were learning in that perfectly put-together basement schoolroom I mentioned earlier.
Then, we got a new puppy.
While sweet and perfect, that new puppy created some new homeschool challenges and distractions.
Homeschooling in a basement without outdoor access while trying to potty train a puppy is not ideal, you guys!
So, needless to say, something had to give.
I quickly decided we needed to move our homeschool adventures up a level.
So, I hauled all of our homeschool supplies upstairs and stored them in the kitchen during the puppy potty training season of life.
We ended up liking being upstairs near the living area and kitchen so much that we never fully utilized that perfectly put-together homeschool room again.
Eventually, I hauled the desks upstairs and let them overtake the living room because it was just better that way, you guys!
My kids could learn in our main living area, and I didn’t have to clear off the kitchen table each night.
We actually homeschooled like this until our big cross-country move, and have never utilized a homeschool room since.
From homeschooling while living out of boxes to roadschooling while living in our RV.
We’ve definitely experienced a little bit of everything, and you know what? I don’t ever plan on having a homeschool room again!
Tips for Homeschooling Without a School Room
As I’ve briefly mentioned, we have gone from homeschooling in a dedicated space, to the living room, then the kitchen, followed by homeschooling out of boxes, to roadschooling, and now in a home again without a schoolroom (by choice).
So, needless to say, I’ve experienced every possible side of this coin.
I am currently only homeschooling my 12-year-old, and she does a majority of her work in her bedroom.
With the exception of any computer work or typing lessons, which are typically done at my desk in the main living area.
I keep a majority of her art supplies, additional learning books, and our file folder system for curriculum organization downstairs in my office nook, and she keeps her current work upstairs on her desk, utilizing a rolling cart for extras.
This works for us, you guys!
It’s what she wanted, and it’s how she’s currently thriving.
If the idea of homeschooling without a homeschool room scares you, OR you simply don’t have the option and need quick ideas, I’ve got you!
Check out some of the simple ways you can easily incorporate learning into any area of your home.
Skip Dedicated Spaces
Investing in tools that can easily tuck homeschool supplies away but also be utilized in any area of the home is a great way to homeschool without a schoolroom.
For example, I created DIY supply caddies so my children could take art outside or to the kitchen table with ease.
I also utilized rolling carts so we could take learning from the kitchen to the living room in a matter of minutes, and invested in high-quality backpacks so we could spend time learning at the library!
While having some dedicated space is great, it’s important not to get too caught up in the need for a set homeschool area.
For example, I have a dedicated space in my office nook that stores my daughter’s lessons for the quarter. I like storing these items in this area because it’s where I spend the majority of my time, and I’m able to organize and plan lessons with ease.
All of our extra books and learning aides are tucked into the bookcase in this same area.
My daughter keeps her daily folders in her room and a rolling cart to hold all of her daily-used items.
This desk, however, isn’t only set up for homeschooling, as it’s also used for crafting, doing her nails, putting on makeup, writing, drawing, etc..
Also, it’s important to skip excessive school-themed decorating.
If visual aids are needed, find a simple way to either incorporate learning into your decorating by leaning on neutral tones and picture frames that complement the vibe of your home, or use trifold boards that can easily be tucked away at the end of the day!
This helps your home feel more cozy and less school-like.
All that said, we do have minor spaces that are somewhat reserved for homeschool supplies; however, we do not have dedicated spaces in our home for homeschooling itself.
Homeschool supplies are stored throughout our home, and my daughter can work anywhere she likes — even though she prefers the desk in her room 90% of the time.
Skipping dedicated homeschool spaces and allowing homeschool supplies and lessons to take up space throughout your home is a great way to homeschool without a schoolroom!
Focus on Organization
100% this!
Ok, I have to be completely honest, though.
This tip is for everyone, no matter your homeschool room situation.
Even those who have a dedicated homeschool room can benefit from focusing on simple homeschool organization when it comes to curriculum and supplies.
That said, I’m going to gloss over the fact that even a well put-together homeschool room needs organization and get straight to the point.
Homeschooling without a schoolroom will be disastrous if you aren’t organized.
Think about it.
If you are storing homeschool items throughout your home (like we are), it’s important to keep track of where those items are and store them properly
That said, organizing doesn’t come as naturally to some, and if that’s you, I’m here to help!
First, look over all your homeschool supplies and evaluate just how much space you will need.
Then, focus on storing like items together (such as curriculum and books in one area and art supplies in another).
Finally, purchase organizational tools (such as rolling carts, baskets, and bins) to store your homeschool items throughout the home.
Once you’ve gotten the organization part down, it’s time to keep it that way by focusing on forming daily cleaning habits — leading us right into our next point.
Keep Things Clean
Homeschooling in your living room, dining room, or throughout your home doesn’t have to mean having a messy house.
They are not one in the same!
Instead of sacrificing your home’s cozy feel or decor style, you can easily mesh your Life + Homeschool by teaching daily maintenance and practicing it together regularly.
While organization is the starting point, cleaning up after each activity is what maintains a put-together home.
First, hide excess clutter by using bins and baskets (organization).
Then, encourage children to practice a simple chore routine during homeschool hours to help keep your home clean (cleaning).
Organization and cleaning just go together, you guys!
All that said, homeschooling multiple ages can be a bit of a mess, and there were some rough days that I longed to still be homeschooling in our basement and not in the living room because I could have just walked away from the mess and dealt with it another time!
However, the mess would have been there to greet me the following morning, and honestly, that’s even worse.
So, in many ways, homeschooling without a schoolroom can be a blessing because it forces you to deal with the mess at hand (or at least it did me).
There is no shutting the door and walking away, because if you leave the mess behind and that mess is on your kitchen table, chaos will ensue almost immediately!
Homeschooling at the kitchen table, in the living room, and even in the RV, gave me the push I needed to make sure we were constantly putting things away after using them.
Now that we are back in a home, however, I’m homeschooling a middle schooler, and she has to deal with the mess or not mess in her own space — she’s slowly learning this lesson, you guys!
In the end, homeschooling throughout the home can be very successful if you are consistent, organized, and tidy!
Take it on the go
If homeschooling without a dedicated space gets under your skin from time to time, taking homeschool lessons out of the house can be a simple way to keep the clutter down at home while giving the kids a little extra enrichment.
For example, I used to take my kids out a few times each year for a day of learning at the library.
Not only was this refreshing, but I also didn’t have to worry about coming home to a messy house.
My kids had absolutely no choice but to clean up after themselves, or their items would be left behind at the library when we left to go home.
Eventually, we also took up bi-weekly science classes at our local zoo, which was another wonderful way for them to learn without taking over my living room.
If homeschooling on the go sounds like a good option for your family, it’s important to follow these simple steps!
First, make sure your home is clean and tidy the night before.
This is the only way I was ever willing to take my kiddos out of the house when they were all home.
Maybe it sounds selfish or wrong, but I simply can’t come home to a messy house after a long day out (introvert mom here).
I’m the best version of me when I can come home to a clean space and focus on my next task (which is usually dinner).
Second, plan your time away.
Pack supplies early, take more than you need, and promptly put everything away when you return home.
Lastly, mix things up by going to the library, park shelters, and nature centers.
You’d be surprised by just how much kids can learn when you change up their surroundings.
These are some of the tips and tricks I have tried while homeschooling without a schoolroom, and they helped me keep my sanity, you guys!
My final tidbit: Don’t turn your home into a school; turn your school into a home.
Happy homeschooling (with or without a schoolroom), you guys!
