How to create the perfect study area

Your study area can make all the difference to your productivity and focus. So how do you create the perfect setup to encourage you to get work done?

Being a student isn’t easy. Whether you’re working towards your A-Levels or a degree, student life comes with a range of challenges – and I’m not just talking about the exams. It means finding a balance between knuckling down and studying as much as you can, and maintaining your, often, part-time job and busy social schedule. Let me say it again, it isn’t easy.

All too often students fall into the trap of using either their sofa or their bed as their go-to study area, not realising the impact these choices may be having on their studies and mental health.

Creating a functional and stylish study area that is personalised to you and your way of working is a great way to combat the common mistakes made by students. It also doesn’t have to involve a lot of effort or money!

Choosing to study from your bed, instead of a desk and study area, can mean that you’re turning a, what should be, peaceful space into a stressful and work filled environment. Although it is a hugely appealing option, studying from the comfort of your bed has been proven to cause insomnia and higher levels of anxiety in students, all of which are detrimental to the success of your studies.

Get the best out of your space

Sitting on your sofa and balancing your laptop on your knees may seem like a great way to combine studying with socialising with your family or friends but it may, unintentionally, be having a negative impact on your grades. Studying in an area where you’re unable to fully focus on your work is likely to have a knock on effect on the quality of the work that you are able to produce and, ultimately, the grades that you are able to achieve.

To avoid this, it’s important to consider the available space for your study area. Whether you’re living at home or away in university accommodation, you may not have an abundance of available space, so it’s likely that you’ll be setting up your study area in your bedroom or living room.

Once you’ve chosen the right room for your study area, it’s time to re-imagine the possibilities of the space. This means rearranging existing furniture if needed, considering where plug sockets are situated and the amount of lighting in the room to ensure that you’re getting the best out of the space and your future study area.

If you’re lucky and have a large amount of available space for your study area then it’s important to consider how to use your room wisely. If you’re looking at larger desks only to fill the space, then question if you actually need that big desk top surface to work. Or, perhaps, you are someone who would benefit more from additional storage in your study area rather than a large workspace. Either way, it’s easy to waste space in your study area with snap decisions, but take your time, create your study area around you and how you like to work to ensure that you’re really making the most out of your room.

Choose the right desk for you

Finding a desk that fits into your space and works for the way you study can be a minefield. Getting it wrong can result in the creation of a study area that is cramped and uninviting, not to mention the ‘perfect’ place to procrastinate!

Knowing the size of the available space for your study area, means that you can start choosing the right desk size and shape that works for you. It’s important to consider the wide range of desk shapes and sizes that are available:

• Rectangular desks – Offer you a simple solution to setting up your study area. Often, rectangular desks come in an array of width and depth sizes so that you can pick a size that is perfect for your space.
• Wave desks – Offer you a large desktop whilst taking up a minimum amount of floor space which is a great choice for rooms limited on space.
• Corner desks – For design and art students, this desk shape offers a desktop with room for multiple screens, sketchbooks and art supplies.
• Desk with drawers – Offer you a way to keep your workspace neat, tidy and clutter-free.
• Desk with storage – Offer you a space-saving solution for your desk and storage options in your study area.

Each of these desks offer you a unique way of studying and complementing your available space. If you’re concerned about space, our Home Work range comes in a conveniently compact depth size of 600mm, rather than the average office desk depth of 800mm, meaning that it is the perfect fit for any room. We also have multiple width options available for the majority of our desks so you’ll be able to find a desk that suits you and your space in no time. For more information about desk dimensions, check out our helpful blog on understanding office furniture measurements.

Find a comfortable and supportive chair

There is nothing worse than having your surge of productivity interrupted, especially by sitting on an uncomfortable chair. If you find yourself feeling restless and that you’re constantly leaving your desk with aches and pains, it’s time to invest in a chair that is more comfortable and provides you with the back support that you need.

A good office chair will also help to improve your concentration as you work and help to create a welcoming study space that you want to return to. Opting for a desk chair with swivel functions and adjustable levers will allow you the freedom to regularly alter your position which will help ease any discomfort that you feel as you work. Our Mia Office Chair is an excellent choice for your study area as it comes in 10 different colours and offers a choice of lever adjustments with the option to add arms to the chair.

Having a proper office chair at your study area will also help to improve your health and posture in the long-term. The support given by a comfortable chair will ensure that you are sitting properly as you study and will help you to avoid future back problems that can arise later on in life.

Keep your study area organised

Without storage, your workspace can easily become cluttered and unorganised which means that, instead of studying, you can often waste time attempting to find that specific notebook with the one crucial quote that you need to continue writing your essay. Except it doesn’t have to be that way.

Getting the right storage for your study area is a great way to keep yourself productive whilst studying and making sure that you’re using your time efficiently, especially during those deadline rushes. There is a variety of storage options available to you;

• Under desk storage – Is a great space-saving storage solution for any room. The most Under desk storage is available in a variety of drawer, filing cabinet and pedestal units. Our KOMO Low Mobile Pedestal is a stylish, two drawer storage unit that comes in seven colours that will complement any room.
• Cupboards – Are a great way of keeping your study area neat and tidy. With a variety of size options available and various storage types on offer, our Combination Cupboards ensure that you have plenty of storage space for your books and other study supplies. 
• Cube storage – Is a modern and versatile storage solution that can be easily adapted to suit your needs. Our Modular Cube Storage range offers complete units or individual components to let you design and personalise your storage.

Whatever your storage needs, desk-high storage options offer you a way to expand your study area whilst also offering you extra storage for your room.

Create a motivational study space

To ensure that you’re getting the most out of your study area, it’s a good idea to accessorise your workspace to create an area that is welcoming as well as practical.

A wall planner is a great way of adding a touch of colour to your space as well as a way of staying organised. With the ability to be placed in front of you as you work, a wall planner means that you can remain focused on your approaching deadlines and continue to keep your productivity levels high.

Other ways of making your study area motivational is to add positive quotes, create a pinboard, have framed photos, desk plans and much much more. All of these ideas will ensure that your study space is a calm and relaxing environment that allows you to succeed as you study.

After all these boxes have been ticked, you’ll have created your perfect study area that’ll be an inviting space to work as well as a hub of productivity. So say goodbye to your days of procrastination and watch as your work, and grades flourish. Good luck!