Décor tips for elementary schools

Merino Laminates, December 28, 2024 Updated On : March 6, 2025

Elementary schools comprise of children between the age of 4 to 10 years. While some kids would have an earlier exposure to playgroups, for most others, their Elementary school is their first exposure to schooling, peers and learning in an organised environment. Thus, the design of the Primary or Elementary school should be carefully planned to ensure that it offers a safe, welcoming and engaging environment for the young minds.

From the spatial planning to the finishes, everything must be centered around the children using the space. Here are some of the decor tips that you must bear in mind for the design of a section of the school dedicated to the youngest age group of the lot:

1. Child friendly spatial planning

The spatial organisation of different parts that the children frequent must be simple and uncomplicated. The distance between the classrooms, play area, toilets, dining area, library etc., must be minimal and the walkways or corridors connecting them should have bright and lively artwork or use of colours and sturdy, anti-skid flooring so that the children are able to move around safely and confidently as colours and different designs are often associated with building visual memory that would help them identify the right direction.

2. Ergonomically designed products

As the space is to be used by children, the products used and different accessories and fittings added must be ergonomically designed so that they are able to use them easily, with little assistance from the older people around them. Right from using toilet fittings suitable for children to chairs, tables, railing for stairs, handles for doors- everything must be designed and strategically placed bearing the tiny users in mind.

3. Suitable colours

When we look at the colours and patterns used in educational institutions, we often notice how vibrant and colourful the primary sections are. Children love colours and they have a better visual connection with large, colourful drawings and artwork around them. From artwork depicting day to day objects to artwork of cartoons popular amongst the kids, you can use a mix of different wall art, stickers etc to make the area more interesting. While the reception, outdoor spaces, dining area or play area can be vibrant, the classrooms can be adorned in subtle, pleasant colours so as to create a space that is welcoming, comfortable and conducive to doing activities that demand concentration and focus. Apart from this, having simple classroom decor creates room for children to display their own artwork, activities that they have done etc.

4. Finishes and maintenance

Most importantly, the finishes should support and encourage children to express themselves, learn and become more confident in operating individually. Thus, it is highly recommended to opt for wall finishes that are easy to clean, scratch resistant and sturdy as they can be subject to a lot of wear and tear considering the age group using the space. You can go for super glossy laminates from the Gloss Meister range from Merino Laminates as they are easy to clean and maintain, scratch resistant and help create a vibrant space owing to the wide range of colours available. It is also ideal to have soft corners or corner protectors for doors, table corners etc., so as to prevent any accidents. Sharp, pointy edges and slippery surfaces should be avoided to create a safe and child-friendly environment. The classrooms and toilets should be well ventilated with amply natural air and light flow into the space. Artificial task lighting must be placed to make the classrooms more efficient. Table mounted or stand mounted fans, low hanging lights, table or floor lamps, open power points that are placed within the reach of children, live or low hanging wires etc., must be avoided completely as they are a serious safety hazard to children.

5. Facilities for adults

While we might focus extensively on creating a comfortable space for kids, we must also create the same comfort for the adults using the space. From the administration staff, teachers and helpers, there are many adults who are working tirelessly to create a happy and educational environment for children. The staff rooms, work areas for teaching and non-teaching staff must be well designed with comfortable furniture, minimal decor and ample lighting to ensure a healthy and calm work environment. Working with children, though extremely satisfying, can also be exhausting, thus, the space where the teachers and helping staff relax must be quiet, simple and relaxing.

Creating a space that is inclusive of the needs of all the users determines the success of the design you create and we hope that the simple tips given above help you create an environment that is pleasant for the children and the adults alike. Children at the aforementioned age group are at the stage where they are building their distinct personalities, creating core memories and learning from everything they see around them and a child-friendly, educative environment and decor can be a great influence on their personalities and overall well-being.