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IKEA Classroom and Decor
Over the years, I’ve managed to find a lot of my classroom furniture and other storage and usable pieces from IKEA. IKEA is relatively affordable, and some of their storage solutions are perfect for the classroom since they’re designed to fit smaller spaces. IKEA is about an hour or so away from me, but every couple years I make the trek up there to see what else I might need for my classroom. A few years ago, I went with the sole purpose of buying the larger furniture pieces I need, and also picked up some smaller things as well. Check out my IKEA classroom, and my black and white classroom decor.
My favorite find was this black and white polka dot rug! I looked at their rugs online before we left and never saw this one. When I was looking for it specifically, I found it when I searched by price. The price is the best part! It’s only $20! I bought two: one for covering our reading area, and one for our meeting spot. You can see how it’s set up in my meeting spot in the picture above. The second one is the base for our library. It’s a great price for a classroom rug! While this particular rug is no longer available, IKEA continues to have good quality rugs at affordable prices. Their similar rugs are just over 4’x6′ and some are even priced at $25. This black and white rug has a stripe pattern instead of the polka dot.
I also was able to get my teacher chair (seen above) from IKEA. I got mine at a fraction of the price in the as-is section during one of my trips. There was a small tear along the back so it was marked down. It’s held up well over the last 6 years and continues to be easy to wipe down if something minor spills. While I can’t find the same exact chair anymore, this brown armchair is similar. It’s pricey as it is currently, but keep an eye out for something similar in the as-is discounted section. This linen chair is also similar and is a bit cheaper than the leather-like version I’ve linked. The downside is that it’s linen and won’t wipe clean as easily.
The base of my library are two of the Kallax systems from IKEA. I’ve used the two row shelves in high gloss white. I like the high gloss because it wipes cleanly. I’ve considered trying a dry erase marker on them as well since they seem to be the appropriate material, but I’m scared to try it. The Kallax shelves are great for libraries as you can easily put your picture book and chapter books in spine side out, or you can store tubs of books in and on the shelves.
You can see more about my Classroom Library organization over on that post.
I also use one of the Lack side tables in my library for flexible seating.
While students are working independently, they’re able to use these tables around the room independently or in partners. They’re a good height for floor sitting when students are working on their knees. And, they’re super affordable and lightweight so you can have several in your room and move them around. They’re not as durable, and the finish doesn’t withstand a ton of wear and tear, but for less than $10, I’m happy with these purchases after 6+ years. They are also sold in high-gloss white for a little bit more money, and depending on your preference, that might be the right choice for you.
My students also loved hiding under them. I cannot explain why to you, but having an enclosed, darker space is the only thing I can think of.
I think most people know about the Flyt magazine files. They’re 5 for $2 and are a super affordable option for book bins! I’ve used them with my students in the past, and for most of the students, they last the entire year. The secret is not let students keep them with them, but rather on a shelf where they just pick it up from time to time. I also add a layer of tape on the bottom on the inside and the outside which help keep them from falling apart. If book bins aren’t in your budget, these are a great option. You can see my students book bins on the shelf where they stored them after they were personalized and filled.
I have also wanted to add these Trofast systems in to my classroom for storage. I love that they have drawers where supplies can be put away and out of sight. I have not purchased one yet but every summer I think about buying one to help clear up some of my cabinet space and make things a bit more accessible for my kids.
The Trofast systems come in many different styled arrangements. Depending on your space you can find the arrangement that fits. One of the things I like the best about the Trofast system is that you can choose to have the shallow drawers or the deep drawers or a combination of both depending on what you need.
I’ve also picked up some smaller pieces for my IKEA classroom over the years. I keep a Raskog cart next to my guided reading table that I keep supplies in and can wheel over whenever I need it.
I have a couple of these kitchen timers and have used them for so many things over the years. They’re super cheap and they are nice to have on hand for when you need a timer! My favorite way to use these is to have them available for students who need to take a timeout or a break. They just pick up the timer, set it for 10 minutes, and go.
This is a laptop support/lapdesk and I have 6 of them. They stack neat enough that they could go in a corner of the room but I keep mine stacked under a Lack table for easy access for students. They’re another flexible seating option for my kids to choose when they’re working independently. It comes with the velcro not secured yet which is why it’s white in the picture. It also unzips and is machine washable!
I have a black and white theme in my classroom and try to keep most of my furniture and larger pieces in those two colors to keep things from being overwhelming. It also helps that these two colors will work with virtually any color scheme in a classroom. My current classroom has blue cabinets, but if I get moved to another section of my building, my cabinets may be red or green. Having the big, expensive pieces in just black and white means they will work no matter what room I’m in.
I keep the black and white theme going with most of my classroom decor as well. I use my Black & White Chevron Classroom Decor.
It has full size alphabet chart cards, numbers to 20 cards, 6 table signs, calendar pieces, desk nametags, signs for the word wall or book bins if you level your library, and classroom job cards. It also has two editable components: labels and binder covers. That way, if you need to make different jobs or something else to match, you can. You just open the file in Powerpoint, insert a text box, and write what you need.
It also has my Classroom Calendar pieces. I’ve used this same calendar in 1st through 3rd grades, and used the pieces that were more relevant to that grade. In 1st grade and 2nd grade I used most of the mathematical pieces, while in 3rd grade I only use that calendar itself. You can see more about how I run my calendar routine in the post below.
I also have a Teacher Toolbox and Turn In Bin in black and white chevron.
You can get my free Teacher Toolbox labels from my TpT store by clicking the image below.
You can get my Black & White Chevron Drawer Labels from my TpT store by clicking the image below.
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Hi! I’m Tessa!
I’ve spent the last 15 years teaching in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades, and working beside elementary classrooms as an instructional coach and resource support. I’m passionate about math, literacy, and finding ways to make teachers’ days easier. I share from my experiences both in and out of the elementary classroom. Read more About Me.
26 Comments
Gotta love IKEA…those little stools are PERFECTLY sturdy. I have four of them in my classroom and the kids move them all over. I use them when I confer…super easy to pick up and move and right at "desk level"…
Can't wait to see your finished room!
Holly
Crisscross Applesauce in First Grade
I really didn't think they would be. But it held me well so I know it'll hold some third graders just fine! I can't wait to start putting it together. Too bad they just finished school last week and so I have quite a ways to wait!
Wow! Great stuff, I love the chevron packs! So cute-and I can't get enough of the pink pop either. 🙂
Kerry
Fyi on the book boxes…..I used them last year. After you have them decorate the reinforce the bottom with some packing tape, duck tape, contact paper or something. If theyvput hardback books in them they will be heavy and break.
I was thinking I would need to do something like that! Thanks for the tip!
Fyi on the book boxes…..I used them last year. After you have them decorate the reinforce the bottom with some packing tape, duck tape, contact paper or something. If theyvput hardback books in them they will be heavy and break.
Tessa,
I am moving to kindergarten so will be getting the Expedite shelves for cubbies. A friend got them last year and they worked really well. Like you, I wanted the white, but my friend HIGHLY recommended the birch because smudges don't show up. She got some other shelf in white and it looks pretty bad, but the birch cubbies look great. The birch actually blends in with the cupboards at our school so they almost look like built ins (almost :).
I LOVE your other ideas and am now adding to my Ikea shopping list. I want that black and white rug for my kitchen.
Thank you for sharing!
Camille
Thanks for the info! That's what I was afraid of!
I think that you can change your Instagram settings so that you approve your followers. That way you don't have to approve them.
Diane
Fifth in the Middle
Yeah, that's what I saw and I think I just may need to do it.
I love Ikea! I wish the closest one wasn't four hours away. I think I will be ordering some stools for my teacher center.
Meagan
Oodlesofteachingfun
Yeah, definite downside!
I'm in love with black and white also! That rug is adorable. I'm going to check it out.
Melissa
Wild About Fifth Grade
Yes, I thought it was kinda perfect!
I have that rug and love!
Love IKEA and I love that rug! I think the green stools would add a pop of color to your room 🙂
Journey Of A Substitute Teacher
I'm thinking that green may be the color accent I may end up going with. Maybe pink too.
I just started following you on Instagram. You might want to change your settings to private. Mine is set to private. When I first started, I had my settings set at public. (That's because I didn't know any better.) So, I was getting all kinds of followers. I didn't want just anyone following me so now it's set to private.
Najda
(#gardenfullofknowledge)
Thanks for the tip! The problem is if I set it up so that my blog fans can follow me, I won't know who they are to accept them.
Nice post! congrats from Spain for your blog!!!
After reading this posts, I just made an Ikea shopping list!! Loving the rug too! Going to check out your Instagram now! 🙂
Andrea
Cheers To School
Oh my goodness I just got your yellow and white chevron classroom décor pack from Miss Kindergarten and I'm stoked! My classroom colors are blue and yellow and this will be perfect to use. I am trying to have a good mixture of both colors as they are my favorite and the kids seem to like it. Too bad you don't have this in blue too so I can mix and match. 😉 Thanks so much again!!
Shibahn
Mrs. Landry's Land of Learning
Looks like we should have gone shopping together! I went this past weekend, and I got the same rug, same lamps, same book boxes, and I already have the green chairs! Too funny…. Love all your finds!! 🙂 I just want to learn how to join Instagram with a separate account from my personal one, and if it's easy to switch between the two on your phone. Any idea would be great 🙂
Kelly
First Grade Fairytales
How funny!
With instagram, I couldn't figure it out. Right now, my account is on my personal page but then I changed the account it was linked to so that if it posts, it only goes on my fan page. Unfortunately, my fb friends were notified that I signed up with instagram so now there's a lot of non-teacher-y people following me there and I'm not so sure how I feel about that. So, I'm no help there! Instagram needs to get with the program and allow us to link two accounts! 🙂
I was looking for something like this and I am so glad that I finally found it.
Thanks
Cheap Instagram Followers
Thank you! We have an IKEA new to our area and my first visit was a little overwhelming. Stepping back into teaching after a 10 yr hiatus, and trying to pull a classroom back together, has been overwhelming. Thank you for the great ideas with black and white. I am planning on black and white with lime green! =)