4 flex-furniture classroom designs that could catch on
A classroom needs to be a motivating space for young learners to grow. Source: Nicole Honeywill/Unsplash

Central to effective classroom design, collaboration and creativity are two significant elements of a successful K12 education.

Free to follow their mind’s desire, creative tasks and tools enable young learners to express their inner emotions and elaborate on academic ideas.

From crayons to computers, teachers place a range of learning utensils in the classroom to encourage collaboration among students and prepare them for a future in assorted job sectors.

To heighten the success of collaboration and creativity, some teachers have reassessed traditional classroom designs, posing questions such as, How do I arrange the chairs to increase student integration? or Should I rename the reading corner to a name that’s more engaging?

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ms. Shane Saeed (@fantasticallyfourth) on

According to The Hechinger Report (THR), rethinking classroom designs leads to various learning advantages – especially if the new design involves flex-furniture.

It’s a growing trend. “From 2015 to 2018, the school resources crowdfunding site DonorsChoose saw requests for funding for flexible furniture balloon from 110 to 21,163. And on Instagram, there are 81,100 posts using the hashtag #flexibleseating, many from teachers sharing tips and photos,” THR notes.

With so many different ways to restyle a classroom, here are four flex-furniture designs that have grown in popularity:

Part-furniture, part-toy sofas


Designed for young learners who want to explore the great indoors, these hybrid sofa areas are catching on in schools across the US.

Take a look at the Nugget Comfort account and you’ll see how their flexi-seating arrangements are inspiring teachers everywhere to upgrade their classrooms and take comfort corners to the next level!

From a seat to a fort, the different parts of this hybrid sofa act as a jigsaw for learners to create, explore and have fun!

Chill zones

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kelly Lynn (@kellys_klassroom) on

These areas are dedicated to relaxation. When the classroom gets too loud and a learner wants to escape from the noise they can enter the chill zone.

Not every student is going to enjoy collaborative activities, so it’s great if there’s an area of the classroom where they can create and innovate independently.

Scoop rockers


Inexpensive options for alternative classroom seating, scoop rockers have taken K12 learning sessions to another dimension.

Instead of traditional, rigid seating, scoop rockers are built to serve classroom library areas and enhance collaborative areas!

Writing tables

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kim Dunn (@dk3girls) on

These writeable tables are worth investing in for a classroom restyle!

Who needs paper when you have a table right in front of you?

A sustainable alternative to wasting materials, writeable tables are both fun and easy for lessons.

As long as students don’t get their hands on a permanent marker, these are a perfect, permanent addition to any K12 classroom environment!

Liked this? Then you’ll love…

Can Battle of the Books instil a love of reading among K12 students?

The robots are coming: Here’s how AI is being used in the K12 classroom