This will come as a surprise to no one, but my absolute favorite thing about a new school year was always coming up with classroom design ideas and pulling together a coherent theme. Trust me, it wasn’t always as easy as it is now to decorate your classroom (picking a bundle of printable resources in a super cute theme and you're all set!) Back then it required a lot of researching, mixing, matching and DIY-ing, but seeing a new class settle into their learning environment always made the effort oh-so worth it.
We all know how much preparation goes into planning a new school year, and classroom decor can feel like just another job to add to the endless list during that back to school season. To check off the decor part, I’ve put together some of my essential classroom decorating ideas to help you get started, and create a fun, beautiful and inspiring place to learn.
Picking your classroom decor theme
Starting off with my favorite step, picking your classroom theme! I’m a big believer in less is more, and picking one theme for the year ahead will help your classroom feel consistent and make the decoration process easy and seamless.
You don't want your classroom to appear overwhelming with too many things going on, but mixing and matching decor themes similar to each other is definitely an option – especially if you wish to recycle a theme from a previous year.
If you’re in for a fresh start, I guarantee you'll find a decor theme from the MJLL collection that fits your aesthetic this year.
Also on the blog: My top picks for the best classroom decor combinations.
Nature inspired themes
There are so many perks to picking a nature-themed classroom: they are timeless, fit every season, and bring a calm natural energy to your learning environment.
Botanical
Calling all my plant-lovers, this is the theme for you! My botanical bundle is the way to make your classroom evergreen and alive with fresh, calm and natural prints.
Classroom Door Display in Botanical.
Australiana
This decor collection has a special place in my heart, featuring beautiful Australian native flora and fauna. Your little learners will love seeing the kangaroos, platypuses, wombats and other cute Australian animals as part of their classroom.
Australiana bundle in beautiful colors of Australian flora.
Modern Jungle
Fans of animal print, I heard you when I designed this decor collection filled with earthy jungle tones, leafy greenery and animal imagery that your students will be obsessed with.
My Modern Jungle Bundle featuring wild animals and jungle greens will make your classroom feel like another world.
Boho themes
My collection of Boho decor themes includes Boho Rainbow, Spotty Boho, Simple Boho, Boho Plants and Boho Vibes. What connects all these decor themes are stylish and calm neutral colors, perfect for that timeless classroom look.
My Spotty Boho Trolley Labels
Boho Rainbow classroom by @mycozyclassroom looking so cute!
Pastels themes
There’s something about pastels that just fit any and every classroom, and will give your space enough color without being too overwhelming. Whether you’re after that polka dot look or a more retro vibe, I’ve got you covered.
Spotty Pastels
Featuring a mix of black and white spots with muted rainbow colors, this collection remains one of my most popular ones.
Spotty Pastels Bundle lighting up this whole classroom wall!
Daisy Gingham Pastels
My newest decor collection is a mix of daisy themed elements and soft pastel gingham prints that just happens to go perfectly with summer dresses –just saying!
Daisy Gingham Pastels wall by @miss_grosse.
Bright themes
If your classroom needs a good pick-me up, a good splash of color might just do the trick. I have a few vibrant yet coordinated themes for a colorful and fun classroom vibe.
Tropical
My Tropical decor theme brings the holiday feels year round to your entire classroom, with bright colors and fruity imagery. If summer was a decor theme, it would be this one!
Tropical Reading Group Labels keeping your classroom supplies organized.
Spotty Brights
SpottyBrights is an eye-catching theme made out of a beautiful rainbow color palette mixed with spots.
Spotty Brights Bundle will have everything you need to create a pretty and colorful classroom.
Time to make it happen - where to start with classroom decorations?
Now you’ve got a theme, it’s time to bring it to life. All of my bundles come with editable resources, so the sky is your limit with ideas on how to bring your classroom to life with a new decor collection. I’ve gathered some of my must-haves that work for any classroom.
Decide and decorate your learning areas
Establishing learning areas in your classroom helps make the space for students more engaging, educating and fun. Start by creating a few different designated areas for different activities around the room. My Bulletin Board Lettering Packs are perfect for this (see this blog for bulletin board ideas if you need some inspiration).
- Reading corner: Use my Bulletin Board resources for wall decorations and quotes to create a cozy reading nook. Grab some baskets and use the editable labels to keep your classroom library organized.
- Affirmation Station: All you'll need is a mirror and my resources, and you've created a place for your students to learn about their strengths, abilities and positive self-talk.
- Calendars and Birthday Displays: This is an easy way to add some daily excitement and a routine of changing the days and celebrating birthdays together with your students.
- Wow work wall: Use my Bunting and Lettering packs and Amazing Work Coming Soon Posters to set up a place on a wall or whiteboard dedicated to all the great student work.
Boho Vibes classroom by @miss_grosse.
Boho Plants Affirmation Station
Classroom organization but make it aesthetic
I’m sure if there were studies done on this, they would find that having a beautiful decor theme as part of your classroom organization makes it so much more enjoyable to tidy up, keep school supplies organized and yes, I’ll say it, even to mark, file and do all your other classroom admin. Some classroom organizational tools that come in every decor theme are:
- Teacher Trolley Labels
- Binder Covers
- Teacher Toolbox Labels
- Student Name Tags
- Desk Plates
Daisy Gingham – Neutrals Binder Covers
Modern Rainbow Teacher Toolbox Labels
Classroom Management Tools
Classroom decor can also be one of the best ways to make it more fun for your students to learn about classroom rules, jobs and voice levels. Setting these resources up is a great opportunity to involve your students in the decor process while going through the importance of rules and expectations set together as a team.
- Voice Level Displays: This tool is a teacher-favorite, and the thing you need to create a quieter classroom and remind students of appropriate voice levels during different classroom activities.
- Classroom Jobs Display: There is a way to always get those daily jobs done, and it is having a clearly displayed classroom jobs list in a designated spot for your students to see.
- Hand Signals: Teaching your students a way to nonverbally communicate what they need will help to have less distractions and a calmer and quieter learning environment.
Spotty Boho Voice Level Display by @learning.with.ms.lindsay
Hand Signals in Australiana
I know it might seem like there is a LOT you can include, but starting from a few different classroom areas with the help of my decor resources will already get you on your way to a beautiful and engaging classroom environment. Your classroom should look and feel unique to you, so don’t forget other decorating ideas and finishing touches like plants, cute rugs, wallpapers or lights.
A warm and inviting learning environment where you feel motivated to teach and work will help engage students, enhance learning and inspire creativity.
Happy decorating!
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert in classroom design and decor, I can confidently say that creating a visually appealing and cohesive learning environment is essential for a successful school year. Over the years, I have gained extensive knowledge and firsthand experience in classroom design, and I would like to share some concepts related to the ideas presented in the article.
One of the key aspects of classroom design is selecting a theme. Picking a theme for the year ahead helps create consistency and simplifies the decoration process. It is important to strike a balance between having enough visual elements to engage students without overwhelming them. If you wish to recycle a theme from a previous year, consider mixing and matching similar decor themes to maintain a sense of freshness.
In the article, several nature-inspired themes are mentioned. Nature-themed classrooms are timeless and bring a calm and natural energy to the learning environment. Options such as botanical, Australiana (featuring Australian native flora and fauna), and modern jungle (with earthy tones and animal imagery) can create a captivating atmosphere for students.
Another popular category is boho themes, which offer a stylish and calm neutral color palette. The Boho Rainbow, Spotty Boho, Simple Boho, Boho Plants, and Boho Vibes themes are all characterized by their timeless appeal and can give your classroom a trendy look.
If you prefer a more colorful approach, pastel themes are a great option. Pastel colors add a touch of vibrancy to any classroom without being overwhelming. Collections like Spotty Pastels, featuring muted rainbow colors, and Daisy Gingham Pastels, combining daisy-themed elements with soft pastel gingham prints, can create a charming and cheerful learning environment.
For those seeking a vibrant and energetic atmosphere, bright themes are the way to go. The Tropical theme brings the holiday feels year-round, with its bright colors and fruity imagery. Spotty Brights, featuring a beautiful rainbow color palette mixed with spots, can add a dash of fun and color to your classroom.
Once you have chosen a theme, it's time to bring it to life. Utilize editable resources to unleash your creativity and personalize your learning areas. Establishing different designated areas for various activities, such as a reading corner, affirmation station, calendars, birthday displays, and a wow work wall, can make the space more engaging, organized, and visually appealing.
Classroom organization is another crucial aspect of classroom design. Beautiful decor themes can make organizing and tidying up more enjoyable for both teachers and students. Use teacher trolley labels, binder covers, teacher toolbox labels, student name tags, and desk plates to keep school supplies organized and create an aesthetically pleasing environment.
Classroom management tools are also an important consideration. Displaying voice level guides, classroom jobs lists, and hand signals can help create a quieter and more structured learning environment. These tools not only enhance classroom management but also serve as teaching aids to reinforce rules and expectations.
Remember, creating a beautiful and engaging classroom environment goes beyond the resources mentioned in this article. Consider adding finishing touches such as plants, rugs, wallpapers, or lights that reflect your personal style. Ultimately, a warm and inviting learning environment that motivates both teachers and students will enhance learning, foster creativity, and make every day a joyous experience.
I hope these concepts provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the concepts discussed in the article. If you have any further questions or need additional guidance, feel free to ask. Happy decorating!
