Homeschooling at the Dining Room Table
Last summer, I had a teacher friend reach out to me about having an organized homeschool space. She, like me, resigned from teaching in 2022 and was switching to homeschooling her two young children.
I was so excited to be able to help her, however, there was a huge problem. She didn’t have the right furniture. In fact, she had too much furniture packed into a tiny space.
In the picture on the left, you can see two rolling carts absolutely packed with stuff. Stuff like school supplies, paper, books, curriculum resources, and more curriculum resources. Did I mention paper?
To the right of those rolling carts sat a wooden dresser. Yes, you heard correctly. A dresser.
Which, to be fair, was a great idea for storage in theory, but not helpful in this particular place. I quickly named this the “Beauty and the Beast Cabinet” because it reminded me of the dresser character that comes to life!
The “Before”: A Homeschool Space That Was Anything But Functional
Stepping into my friend’s dining room, it was immediately clear her homeschool setup needed a serious helping hand. While her intentions were good, the sheer volume of stuff made the space feel overwhelming.
Imagine walking into a room where two large rolling carts, bursting at the seams with school supplies, books, and curriculum, dominated one side. Paper seemed to multiply overnight, overflowing from every available surface.
This was clearly not an organized homeschool space.
This constant visual clutter created a palpable sense of stress; it was hard to relax or even think clearly in such an environment. Finding anything felt like a scavenger hunt, wasting precious learning time each day.
Then there was the “Beauty and the Beast Cabinet” – a large wooden dresser sitting right beside the carts.
It was meant to be extra storage, but its sheer size and awkward placement swallowed valuable floor space. It felt like a misplaced giant, adding to the visual noise rather than calming it.
The overall effect was one of heavy disorganization, making the entire dining room feel cramped and less like a multi-purpose family area.
It was a space technically designed for learning, but it was actively creating frustration and diminishing focus instead. The line between “home” and “classroom” was completely blurred, and neither space was truly serving its purpose well.
It became obvious that the furniture itself was a major part of the problem.
It was simply too big and too plentiful for the room.
This wasn’t just about tidying; it was about reimagining the flow and function of the entire area so her family could truly live and learn in it, free from constant overwhelm.
The Solution: From Overwhelm to Order (and Joy!)
With the ‘before’ clearly understood, it was time to implement a strategic plan for an organized homeschool setup. The very first step was decluttering the existing school supplies.
We went through everything with a critical eye.
It turned out many markers were dried out, seven pairs of scissors were far too many, and some paper was already used or unusable.
We also found old games and curriculum. These items were not needed to start the new school year.
Finding a dedicated space for “what’s coming” was also important. This included curriculum for future units. The biggest solution came with a credenza.
This single piece of furniture became the central hub. It now housed all their homeschool materials. We used bins specifically for supplies. Separate bins held upcoming curriculum. Dedicated student work bins organized current lessons and activities.
My friend was amazed. She hadn’t realized the sheer volume of “crap” she had.
Seeing everything condensed into one credenza, with a rolling cart on the side for daily essentials, was an immediate game-changer.
She didn’t even need her two original rolling carts anymore!
The “Beauty and the Beast Cabinet” was no longer needed. The visual clutter vanished. Her stress visibly relieved. She felt genuinely excited to start homeschooling in her transformed space.
The “After”: A Space That Breathes (Her Words Not Mine!)
The results spoke for themselves. Here’s what my friend had to say about our time working together:
“Working with Bonnie was a wonderful experience! When I first told her about my space, she was so excited and encouraging. From the first time we talked up until our session, she was readily available for any questions I had.
She was kind, encouraging, and professional throughout my whole experience with Bin Your Space. When she came to my house for the session, she knew exactly what we were going to do and went to work organizing my huge pile of things.
She helped me get rid of so much that I didn’t need. When she was done, my space was so beautiful! Everything very clearly labeled and my space felt so much bigger. I would highly recommend Bonnie for any of your home or classroom organizational needs!!”
Her “after” space was not just tidy; it was beautiful. Everything had a clear label. The entire room felt so much bigger.
The dining table was finally free to be a dining table again, easily transitioning between school and family meals.
This transformation proved that even a multi-purpose space can become a calm, productive, and joy-filled learning environment.
Specific Tools: The Containers That Made It Happen
The transformation from overwhelmed to orderly wasn’t just about decluttering. It was also about strategically choosing the right tools for the job.
Here are the key containers that helped us create an incredibly functional and beautiful organized homeschool space for my friend.
The Credenza: The Ultimate Hub for an Organized Homeschool Space
This was the cornerstone of the entire organization project. We used a spacious credenza, transforming a cluttered corner into a dedicated, yet discreet, homeschool command center.
Its ample storage allowed us to house nearly all of her curriculum, reference books, and bulk supplies behind closed doors, keeping the room looking tidy.
Since this was placed near her dining room table, it kept supplies close by all the while hiding everything behind closed doors. Literally. Consider this HOSTACK Cabinet for your organized homeschool space!
Clear Drawer Organizers For All the Tiny Treasures
These are perfect for small, loose items. Think paper clips, erasers, or small counters.
Use them inside the credenza shown above because they fit perfectly! You also can put them in your rolling cart or keep them inside a large supply bin.
Their clear design lets you see contents so you quickly find what you need. Additionally, the modular pieces fit different spaces. Therefore, you can customize your storage easily.
Try these Kootek Clear Drawer Organizers to prevent tiny items from scattering and keep your spaces tidy.
Smart Bins: Organized by Purpose
Inside the credenza, we maximized space and accessibility using clear, labeled bins. These were essential for sorting everything. We created specific bins for different categories: “Current Supplies,” “Upcoming Curriculum,” and “Art Project Essentials.”
My Favorite Storage Bins to Hide the Clutter
My go-to for this project, and many others, are BINO X-Large Plastic Storage Bins. Their built-in handles make it super easy to slide them in and out of cabinets.
Plus, their design helps hide what’s inside, making the area look perfectly seamless and clutter-free. My client used this exact bin in white, and it fit perfectly into her new credenza.
Individual Book Bins: Student Independence
One of the best hacks for her project involved individual book bins. We used a dedicated bin for each of her children. We labeled each bin with a child’s name as you can see below.
These bins held only the materials they were currently working on that day. This simple system allowed her children to easily open the cabinet door, grab their bin, and put materials back when done.
This easy organization and cleanup made her homeschool space truly double as a dining room.
Desktop Caddy: Your Grab-and-Go Supply Hub
For daily essentials, a sturdy desktop caddy is a must-have. You can choose any color you like, but make sure you have one for everyday supplies. Think pencils, markers, scissors, glue, and erasers—all those items that need to be on hand and ready to use.
This caddy makes it incredibly easy to grab with its handle up top, and it keeps supplies neatly separated so your children can quickly find what they need.
Additionally, it makes cleanup a breeze. All supplies go back in the caddy, and the caddy gets stored, you guessed it, right in the credenza!
Creating an Aesthetically Pleasing “Bulleting Board“
For managing daily papers without taking up valuable table space, a stylish wall-mounted organizer was key.
Think of this like your teacher corner or mini-command center but also as a home accent that makes your space feel more inviting and open. The chicken wire being see-through helps created less of a cluttered feel without posting a bunch of school papers on the dining room walls.
Keep your learning area clear while having a home accent in your dinging room with this SOFE Wall-Mounted Organizer.
Own Your Organized Homeschool Space
As my friend’s incredible transformation shows, setting up a homeschool in a shared space like your dining room table doesn’t have to be a battle against clutter or a source of constant stress.
By embracing strategic decluttering, thoughtful organization, and choosing the right containers, you truly can create a highly efficient, surprisingly calm learning environment that works with your home, not against it.
Remember, an organized space is more than just tidy; it’s a foundation for a more peaceful, productive, and enjoyable homeschooling journey for your whole family.
My friend’s experience proves that reclaiming your space also reclaims your peace of mind.
Every pencil, textbook, and project can have a home, making setup and cleanup a breeze. (And if a credenza isn’t right for your space, a strategic rolling cart can also be a game-changer!)
You can absolutely have a functional homeschool without sacrificing your family’s favorite gathering spot.
Are you ready to create a homeschool space that truly works for your family?
How Can I Help You Create Your Own Organized Homeschool Space?
My friend’s story is just one example of the peace and productivity an organized homeschool space can bring. If you’re looking at your dining room table and feeling that familiar overwhelm, know that you don’t have to tackle this alone.
I specialize in creating functional, beautiful organizing solutions for busy families and their unique spaces.
Whether you need help decluttering, choosing the right furniture and containers, or setting up a system that truly works for your daily routine, I’m here to guide you.
Ready to transform your own homeschool area?
- Visit my website binyourspace.com to learn more about my services.
- Book a free consultation: Let’s chat about your specific challenges and how I can tailor a solution just for you. Get on my calendar!
- Get more organizing tips: Each month, I post a new blog about organizing tips, decluttering ideas, and how to maintain your home to feel calm and peaceful. Read them here!
Let’s work together to create a space where your family can thrive, learn, and truly enjoy being home.
Bonnie Hintenach | Bin Your Space
Professional Organizer for Homes & Classrooms
Maryland Professional Organizer
