How to Decorate a Study Room

Co-authored by Cindy Hofen and Sophia Latorre

Last Updated: September 22, 2022 References

A study room should be a relaxing space in which it is easy to concentrate on the task at hand. Whether you have a large budget and a dedicated room, or a tiny corner and only the materials you have on hand, you can easily decorate a study room to reflect your style.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Arranging the Room

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Choose a private space to increase your productivity. If you don’t have a whole room you can use for studying, carve out a space like the corner of a room, a small alcove, or a large closet. You’ll be more productive if you dedicate a space to studying rather than working in a room you use for other things, like your bedroom, living room, or kitchen. This helps to minimize distractions and keep you on task.^{[1]
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- Use curtains or partitions to separate a study space from the rest of a larger room.
2
Situate your workspace near a window, if possible. If your study room has a window, be sure to put your desk or table near it. Natural light will keep you alert and focused, and also provide illumination for reading and writing. You’ll also be able to enjoy the view during study breaks!^{[2]
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3
Add a sitting area if you have the room. Sometimes a little change of scenery can help you study better. If you can, add a comfy chair or couch to your study room in an area opposite your usual workspace. Then, you can move from the desk to the couch when you feel restless or want to sit in a different position.
- A chaise lounge piled with pillows and blankets makes a great reading spot or resting space.
4
Keep the design minimal if you are easily distracted. If you have a hard time focusing on the task at hand, make your study room as sparse as possible. Choose a plain desk or table and a comfortable chair. Store your supplies out of sight, and avoid hanging up lots of posters or adding other distracting elements to the room.^{[3]
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EXPERT TIP

Cindy Hofen
Professional Organizer & Home Staging Specialist
Cindy Hofen is a Certified Relocation Specialist and the founder of Managing Moves & More, a San Francisco Bay Area-based professional move management company specializing in start-to-finish moving solutions, home clearouts, estate sales, and home staging. Since 2009, her team has helped over 2,500 clients to simplify their transitions. Cindy has over 10 years of professional moving and organizing experience, is a member of the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM), holds an A+ Accreditation, and belongs to the Diamond Society. She has a Master of Business Administration from Arizona State University and a BA in Business Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Cindy Hofen
Professional Organizer & Home Staging Specialist

Our Expert Agrees: When you're designing an office, put in a desk, a bookcase, and a chair. Then, add just a few accents, like a guest chair or a houseplant, but try to keep all of your surfaces as uncluttered as possible.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Adding Furniture and Storage

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Choose a comfortable desk and chair. Your workspace is the most important part of your study room, and if you’re cramped or uncomfortable while studying, you’re not likely to get much done! Pick a desk that is large enough to accommodate all the materials you use frequently, like your computer and books. When you sit in the chair, the desk should be at a level between your rib cage and waist so you can comfortably rest your elbows on it.^{[4]
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- The chair must be the right height as well as comfortable to sit in for long periods, so take your time when picking it out.
- If you don’t like working at a desk or table, you could choose a comfy couch or chair instead. You may want a lap desk to write on as well.
2
Add lamps or another lighting, if necessary. Adequate lighting is essential for preventing eye strain and keeping you alert. You can use natural light (like from a window) during the day, but make sure you have either an overhead light or lamps for studying after dark. If you use a lamp, focus the light on your desk or workspace.^{[5]
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- A light or lamp that mimics natural sunlight is best, so use a cool white light bulb, rather than a warm yellow bulb. Avoid using colored light bulbs.
3
Make room near your workspace for essential supplies and equipment. You likely have all sorts of things you’re going to need for studying, from textbooks and pencils to a computer and printer. Keep these items within reach of your desk or workspace so you don’t waste time running from one end of the room to the other. You can neatly arrange the items on your desk, or store them in drawers or on a shelf nearby.^{[6]
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4
Include lots of storage space so everything has a place. Your study room will feel more organized if everything has a place! You’ll need to store textbooks, notebooks, folders, and supplies like pens and paper. You may also have books, posters, dioramas, or other things you need to keep in your study room. Pick up a bookshelf or cabinet to house the items when you’re not using them.^{[7]
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- Alternatively, you could make your own storage space out of crates. Plan out your shelf design, then screw the shelves together and use an L-bracket to attach them to a wall in your study room.
5
Organize your supplies to eliminate clutter. You don’t want to spend 20 minutes searching for a protractor just so you can get your homework done! Go through your supplies and organize them by type (e.g., writing utensils, glue and tape, blank paper, scissors and hole punches, etc.). Then put each type of supply in a designated area, like a desk drawer. A room that is free of clutter will allow you to focus better.^{[8]
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- If you don’t have desk drawers, use supply organizers. You can find many varieties at office supply stores as well as online.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Personalizing the Space

1
Pick a light wall color if you decide to paint. You can paint or add wallpaper to the study room if you want, but it’s best to stick with a light color. A dark color will make the space feel more cramped and gloomy, but a pale color opens up the space and reflects the light.^{[9]
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- For instance, you could choose to paint the walls ice blue, cream, light green, or pastel yellow.
2
Include pops of color with accent pieces. Incorporating your favorite color into the room can make it feel homier. You could add color with throw pillows, an area rug, curtains, or artwork. Choose pieces that speak to you and show your personality. Don’t make the room too busy though—stick with mostly neutral colors and a few bold accent pieces.^{[10]
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- For instance, if your walls are white and your furniture is black, hang up printed curtains to give the space some personality. You could also add a lampshade or area rug in a complementary color.
3
Add wall décor that incorporates the things you like. Posters, prints, and pictures are great ways to personalize the space. Make the most of your wall space by hanging up décor that reflects your personality. You could add a corkboard to pin photos, flyers, and ticket stubs on, or hang framed pictures of your friends and family. You could even add posters of your favorite people and places, or hang up work from your favorite artists.^{[11]
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- Another idea is to buy a unique wall clock and make it the focal piece of your room.
4
Motivate yourself with inspiring art. Choose artwork that inspires you, whether that may take the form of motivational quote posters or framed prints of the world’s wonders. You could even add posters of people you admire or sculptures that you find beautiful. If the room makes you feel inspired, you’re likely to study harder and dedicate yourself to achieving your goals.
5
Set out your favorite knick-knacks for a personal touch. If you collect items from sculptures to baseball cards, you can set them out in your study room. Install a floating shelf to highlight your items, or distribute them throughout the space.
- For instance, you might want to keep a little treasure box full of mementos on your bookshelf.
- Or, you could put special items in shadow boxes and hang them on the wall.
6
Display your calendar or schedule so you stay on task. It can be helpful to have a visual aid that motivates you to get your work done. Get a large desk calendar and write down important information, like homework assignments and exam dates, for each class you have. You’ll easily be able to tell what you need to be working on at any given time.^{[12]
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- Color-code your calendar by class so it’s easy to read at a glance.

Community Q&A

Question

My study room is my bedroom, but the room is very cluttered and tiny, what do you think I should do?

Community Answer

Get a study desk with many cabinets and drawers; you can save space by putting all your supplies, books, papers, etc. in the drawers. Install floating shelves on the wall if you can, and donate items that you do not necessarily need.
Question

How do I use my wall to study?

Community Answer

You can hang a magnet board, or convert the wall into a magnetic wall to hang notes. Use string and clips to hang things up for studying.