Building a kindergarten classroom is more than just bulletin boards and cute themes. It’s about designing a learning environment that helps students feel confident, know where things are going, and get involved from day one. Whether you’re a new teacher or just looking for new classroom setting ideas, your body space can completely change the way students learn and interact. After trying many different arrangements and decorations over the years, I found that the best classroom settings are settings that make it easy for young students to access materials and spaces so they can build independence early.
My style is simple: intentionally organize your room for you And your students. This is how I set up kindergarten classrooms since the school year to make the most of our learning space.
Outline your classroom layout.
I even list all the furniture before thinking about decorating or printing labels. Then, I painted the classroom with a blank piece of paper. I draw windows, bulletin boards, doors, counters – anything that can’t be moved. Then I started drawing furniture: kidney tables, student tables, classrooms and libraries, etc. This helped me figure out what was appropriate, how the process of the room would work and which areas might need to be transferred. Doing this early in the summer, even before school is over, gives you a clearer picture of classroom space without constantly moving the heavy furniture.
If you are still collecting materials, a final list of kindergarten classroom supplies can help you consider what you need before setting up.
Choose wall decoration carefully.
I also thought about what I wanted on the wall. I make sure I don’t put the furniture on bulletin boards or walls we use a lot. This helps me remember where to place lower furniture or smaller student seats. For example, I don’t want to cover my calendar area with anything too big, in case I decide to let the student point to something on the calendar.
Test each student seating area.
Before hanging up something, I plan the classroom layout. I sat at each table, moved on the pillow and then rested on the carpet to make sure I could see the entire room from the group’s table. If I can’t, I’ll walk around. My goal is to make sure that the group work can be done without distraction and that every part of the room works.
Set up your full group teaching area.
My main teaching area is centered on our smart boards, with the full set of carpets facing in front of it. My easel just hits the side of the carpet, where I hang the chart paper and keep some supplies. Next to the easel is my pink chair, which anchors the teaching space and provides me with a comfortable reading point. Next to the carpet is a slim table that holds my laptop and document camera. It is connected to the smart board, which makes it easy to switch between teaching the entire group and presenting something bigger.
Make sure the carpet is large enough.
When I choose a carpet, I want to make sure every student has enough space to sit down without getting elbow to elbow. In full-group classes, additional breathing rooms help with classroom management. If you are refining classroom expectations, these kindergarten classroom management ideas offer useful strategies that can be used with any settings.
Check out our favorite classroom rugs.
Independence is the most important thing I plan in any kindergarten classroom. I want students to be able to move around the room, get what they need, and then put it back without asking me every time. First of all, organize all levels!
Give each student a personalized cubby and email address.
Each student has a tagged Cubby, a book dumpster and a mailbox – all of which have their own names and matching Melonheadz clip art versions. Even if they haven’t read it yet, they can still recognize their own space. The email address sits at the top of the counter and makes it easy to check the work and notes taken home. Cubby drawers are distributed throughout the classroom to avoid traffic jams. It’s time to grab something and I’ll call students with numbers or cubby who has top or bottom. This is one of my favorite ways to reduce transition time chaos. If you have insufficient furniture, the laundry basket under the table is suitable for a backpack. I also use open bookshelf as a water bottle and lunch box.
Check out some of the best book boxes for classrooms.
Mark all classroom trash bins with text and pictures.
I marked each classroom trash bin as words and pictures: pencils, math tools, books, blocks, etc. When something is misplaced, they know exactly where it is going.
Taking into account the entire class, place the group table.
My kidney table sat on the back wall of the classroom. I’ve placed it so I can take a quick glance and see the whole room without turning my head. This place helps me monitor students in a center or in independent work while focusing on group teaching.
See the best classroom tables for children of all ages.
If your desk has a dry alumni surface, use it.
My kidney table has a dry surface which is an extra bonus. I can model or write about mathematics and students can practice it directly. All I need is a dry resistance marker. This small change turned my group table into a teaching tool.
Consider abandoning your teacher’s desk.
A few years ago, I stopped using my teacher’s desk. It took up too much space and didn’t serve me. Instead, I use slim tables for document cameras and laptops. Behind the kidney table, I use textbooks, a sub-bathtub and something I don’t want students to enter to keep a shelf. That’s Ms. Brown’s space!
Learn why some teachers trade aprons on the desk.
You don’t need to cover every wall immediately.
I started with an anchor chart on the easel and left more space to post more when we created them together. I like sticky hair charts because I can move them around the room.
Post your classroom and school expectations.
I teach routines and expectations clearly every day at the beginning of the year. My school asked us to issue the school’s commitment, which I made. Based on the school’s expectations, I also made the visuals of the wall or content area as part of our classroom routine.
Organize your classroom library with a book bin.
At the beginning of the year, I had my kindergarten classroom library in the center of the room. The low bin made it feel easy to use, but I ended up moving it because I couldn’t see the students on the other side. This is a good reminder of why I tested each seat and standing position before finalizing the furniture. It works well on the walls, too.
Create personalized bookboxes for each student.
I use the dollar tree and Dollar General’s bins that are sturdy and affordable. I organize with themes where students can shop for books to fill their personal book bins. Each book trash can has students’ names and clip art photos. This process helps with classroom routines and keeps our library clean and organized.
Create a word ring for writing support.
One of the best tips for my classroom setting is to add a removable word ring. I hang them on the command hooks around the room. Each ring includes a subject vocabulary, seasonal words or friend’s name. When students write and need help, they can grab the ring, take it to their place, and return it when they are finished. This is a great way to support writing without interruptions.
Set up a writing service station.
Later this year, I added writing areas for students. They can write anywhere in the room, but I added paper trays with different papers. They learn how to choose which paper is best for their needs and can choose what they want. There is a space that helps them get what they need quickly.
Flexible seating options are included.
My classroom seating arrangements are changed according to the needs of the students, but I always include flexible seating options: pillows, carpets, Hoki stools and swinging chairs. Students can choose the position that helps them focus the most. At the beginning of this year, we learned how to use each type of seat.
Flexible seating is an excellent opportunity to build social skills and empower students with ownership of the learning environment. You don’t need to buy brand new classroom furniture. Yard sales, Facebook markets and donations can further expand your budget.
Check out the best flexible seating options for classrooms today.
Place the carpet around the classroom for centering.
The center is an important part of our day, so I have a lot of thought about where the students work. They could use center materials anywhere in the room, and I put small carpets around the classroom to provide the group with a dedicated place to work. These carpets stay outside all year round.
Organizational center material.
I kept two IKEA Trofast shelves along a wall in the classroom. One is for the math center and the other is for the text work game. These are sturdy, easy to access and are for students to clean up. When I plan a new center, I also think about what materials I need. If I wanted to include a writing desk, I would make sure to have extra paper, pencils and student folders nearby.
Check out our list of 50 IKEA classroom ideas for our next shopping trip.
Choose a classroom themed decoration with purpose.
One year, I used a girl-style rainbow theme with warm brown tones. In another year, I stick to the gray walls and bright colors. Either way, I keep it simple. I used poster sets to spell out big words like “Kindergarten” in the blank space to increase impact without confusion. Your classroom theme should complement your teaching style rather than compete with it.
Need an idea? This is a large list of classroom themes.
Organize frequently.
If you lack storage space in a new classroom or the best tip I can give you is to organize it frequently. I store seasonal items in my closet and stay at home any oversized size until I need it. Making room for current students is more important than keeping everything you’ve used.
Let your space do the job for you.
Building a kindergarten classroom takes time, planning and flexibility. Focus on building a classroom space that supports students’ learning, independence and your teaching objectives. It may take some trial and error, but your classroom setup should work as hard as you do.
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