What if I told you to ditch your classroom theme? You might be offended, or think “But why?! I love my classroom theme!” I get it. I really do. You worked hard to implement that theme. Maybe you think it’s cute, the kids love it, you love it! Nonetheless, in this blog post, I advise you to ditch your classroom theme for good and let you in on my secret to designing a classroom that everyone loves.
Why should I ditch my classroom theme?
Simply put, themes are over-stimulating and do not support student learning. Though students may be excited to see themed décor, the increased visual stimulus will have a negative effect on their learning. A 2018 study found that students performed worse on tests taken in highly decorated rooms, suggesting that cognitive performance is reduced in over-decorated classrooms (Pandeirada & Rodrigues). Since children spend nearly the entire day in their classrooms, it is imperative we create a visual environment that is conducive to learning.
Cognitive performance is reduced in over-decorated classrooms.
Pandeirada & Rodrigues, 2018
Ditch your classroom theme to be more inclusive
While student academic performance is important, it is not the only reason why themes do not belong in classrooms. Many themes are not representative of the students in our schools. For instance, most themes are highly feminine. Animated pineapples, sprinkle-topped donuts and cutesy cacti are just a few designs I’ve seen out there. Although the teaching profession is a female dominated field, it’s important to keep in mind that the population we serve is diverse. Many students will not resonate with the same style as you.
How to decorate your classroom without themed decor
You didn’t think I’d tell you to ditch your classroom theme without providing a solution, did you?! Instead of a classroom theme, you should choose a classroom color scheme.
Let’s dive into the difference between a theme and a color scheme: A classroom theme is when the décor is centered around one main symbol, such as a tropical, jungle, cactus or donut theme. A classroom color scheme is when the décor follows a small set of colors in specific tones. Choosing a classroom color scheme or palette is essential to creating a cohesive and inclusive space that supports student learning.
Stand out with sophisticated design
From a design standpoint, themes are… well, tacky. Birthday parties have themes, not learning spaces! No judgment if you have a theme– this is my opinion! However, I can say from personal experience that having a modern, neutral and sophisticated classroom color scheme has brought in far more compliments than a busy classroom theme. A simple color scheme looks clean, sophisticated and welcoming. Add on the learning benefits, and switching to a color scheme is a no-brainer.
Take action: choose a classroom color scheme
Now that you’ve learned the research behind ditching your classroom theme, it’s time for the fun stuff– choosing your color palette! Be sure to pick something that feels calm and happy. Search Pinterest for “soothing color palettes” and choose one that speaks to you. Or, check out these 5 modern classroom color palettes I created just for you.
Before you settle on a color scheme, you may want to think about the staple items you have in your classroom that you don’t plan on changing. Rugs, walls, chairs and bins that you already own are all things to consider when deciding on your color scheme.
Here are some rules of thumb for choosing your color palette:
- Make it timeless. You want colors that will last at least a few years (we all know how expensive it can be to redo a classroom!).
- Choose a maximum of 3 or 4 statement colors. Rainbow is not a color scheme! Black, white and neutrals should be used as much as possible.
- Stick to your color palette religiously. Avoid the temptation to impulse buy cutesy things from the dollar section that don’t match your scheme.
- Incorporate items you cannot change, such as furniture or wall colors, into your color scheme. This will create a clean, cohesive look.
- Choose muted tones over bright or neon colors.
Here is a sample color palette from my first classroom:
Need help choosing a palette? Head to this blog post to find 5 ready-to-go classroom color palettes and must-have products to match! You can also follow me on Instagram, where I share tons of classroom decor related tips & tricks!
Here’s to ditching classroom themes and creating simple, cohesive & inclusive spaces for our kiddos!
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