Classroom Design Inspired by the Times

One of the best parts about decorating a classroom, is that you can be really creative!  You can fill your classroom with whimsical items or bold furniture pieces.  The options are endless!  In fact, it was just this mentality that inspired me to dream up some classroom designs inspired by different decades.  That's right, imagine a retro classroom or an 80's classroom.  How fun!  Check out the classroom mood boards for a bunch of decades-inspired ideas!

Wait, before we get started, I thought I'd fill you in on some of the common elements in most of the mood boards...

A classroom rug - No matter what age group of students you teach, a rug is one of the quickest ways to make your classroom more appealing.  Once the rug is in your classroom, you can use it for class meetings, read alouds, a comfy reading corner, a space for partners to work together...the options are endless!

Fun classroom chairs - I love the idea of including at least two chairs in the classroom.  In my own classroom, the special chairs were part of my homework incentive program.  Students worked all week long to complete their homework so that they could sit in the special chair.  But, chairs are also great for flexible seating options, spaces for partners or groups to work together, a "sharing" chair, and so much more!

Hanging decor - Whether it's a fun banner, paper lanterns, tissue paper poofs, or 3-D shapes, an inexpensive and fun way to decorate the classroom is with something that you can hang.  Imagine displaying your banner along a bulletin board or chalkboard.  Or, perhaps you can string the lights in front of your teacher desk.  The options are endless and the impact is huge.  Here's a tip: once you find the hanging decor you like, purchase several of them.  Having multiple sets will have more of an impact.

Quote Poster - There's nothing better than a little inspiration in the classroom.  So, each mood board includes a quote poster.  These are great to hang on your classroom door, at the front of the classroom, or even in the center of a bulletin board.  If you're up for it, I'd suggest getting the posters in the biggest size possible.  The bigger the poster, the more classroom real estate it will take up, and the quicker your classroom will be designed.

A lamp - If you're looking to change the feel of your classroom, a lamp will do it!  Whether it's a floor lamp that you can place on your rug with the chairs or a table lamp that you can set out on your desk, there's just something so cozy about lamps!  If you'd like, you can even purchase a couple of lamps to spread out around the classroom.  Then, you can make it a habit to turn off those florescent overhead lights...what a difference!

Storage baskets - What's a classroom without storage, right?  Well, if you're thinking of getting storage containers, I've included a few inspiration pieces on each design board.  

Fun design elements - You'll find unique elements on each design board, too.  Those have been added to provide even more fun ideas to tie in your classroom theme.

About the classroom decor items:

The items that I've placed on the mood boards are selected with a teacher's budget in mind.  That means that I really tried my best to ensure that no single item was more than $50.  Oh, and since they're sourced from Amazon, there's a chance that you'll be able to put some of the elements on a school purchase order.  Of course, the mood boards are mainly intended for inspiration.  However, if you do want to learn more about each of the items, just click the links provided.

OK...enough background information, let's travel through time with the mood boards...

Hanging Paper Fans /// Quote Poster /// Retro Coffee Mug /// Rug /// Lava Lamp /// Storage Bins /// Clock /// Orange Chairs (set of 2)

Tape Dispenser and Desk Organizer /// Sharpies in Retro Colors /// Poster /// Polaroid Sticky Note Dispenser /// Rug /// Lamp /// Pennant Banner /// Stools 

Tetris Puzzle Lamp /// Inflatable Boom Box /// Bean Bag /// Folder Organizer /// Alien Rug /// Pencil Holders

Emoji Banner /// Quote Posters /// Storage Shelves /// Acrylic Pencil Holder /// Tissue Paper Fan /// Chalkboard Paper /// White Puzzle Lamp /// Plastic Storage Containers (set of 6) /// Emoji Bean Bag Chair /// Triangle Rug

So...if you had to choose, which decade would you decorate your classroom in?  I feel like a decade-themed classroom would be so much fun!  

CHECK THIS OUT!  I've put together a 100+ page guide for back to school for teachers. It includes tips, tools, and printables for classroom décor, classroom organization, lesson planning, community building, and planning the first day of school.  It's absolutely FREE!  

Just click here to sign up. When you sign up, you'll get access to 6 mini-courses that cover everything Back to School including classroom design, organization, curriculum planning, and ways to build a positive classroom community.  There's also a TON of exclusive freebies, bonuses, and videos!  If you'd like to learn more and sign up, just click HERE.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Mary Beth

Looking for more classroom mood boards?  Check out these…

--- Colorful Classrooms (color-themed classrooms)
--- Classroom Sweet Classroom (home décor inspired classrooms)
--- Design for the Little Ones (mood boards for elementary classrooms)
--- Classroom Décor with a Theme (theme-inspired classrooms)
--- Middle School Classroom Designs (ideas for decorating in the middle school)
--- Classroom Design Inspired by the Decades (decades of décor)
--- Bright and Bold Classroom Décor (mood boards filled with fun colors)

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