Decorating your classroom ready for your new class can be a super exciting time but it also takes a lot of planning and preparation. Here are 15 easy classroom decor ideas to help you get started!
The thought of setting up your new classroom, or giving your current one a mid-year refresh, might be giving you sleepless nights…or if you’re anything like me, it’s the best time of year and you love scrolling Pinterest for easy classroom decor ideas!
Either way, this post is the one for you! As a teacher myself, I have shared some of the best easy classroom decor ideas in this post. Not only are they super simple, but they are affordable too – you may even have lots of these items already!
This post is all about easy classroom decor.
The Best Easy Classroom Decor Ideas:
1. Use wallpaper
Using wallpaper to back your bulletin boards not only looks great, but it is super practical too! Use bright colors and patterns if that’s your jam, or opt for something more neutral. This white brick and white wood wallpaper work super well. And mine have lasted for years without needing redoing – bonus!
Take your bulletin boards to the next level by adding clear acetate or sticky back plastic. This way, you can write on your bulletin boards and rub it out easily – genius!
2. Use peg boards
A pegboard makes a great alternative to a traditional bulletin board. They come in lots of different sizes with a huge range of accessories to add to them so you can customize them in so many different ways!
This is a great one to start with from Amazon because it comes in a range of different color options and has some basic accessories to get your started.
3. Add fun borders
Adding a fun border to your bulletin board can make all the difference and the possibilities are endless! Here are some of the best on the market right now:
4. Add twinkly lights
Twinkly lights make a great addition to any classroom! They help to create a calm environment and the constant harsh fluorescent lighting that most of our classrooms have can be over-stimulating for some children.
These warm white lights are mains powered and come with a remote control, which is super useful. If you are looking for battery ones, these ones have worked great in my classroom for the last few years.
5. Hang a clothesline
Honestly, if you don’t have a clothesline in your classroom, you need one! They are so versatile and so useful to have. For anything from hanging up children’s artwork, to displaying your anchor charts, you won’t know how you lived without one!
All you need is some string, some mini pegs, and something to tie it round (either objects or hooks.)
6. Add some plants (real or fake!)
Did you know that plants have actually been proven to be good for our health? So make sure you include some in your easy classroom decor!
And if real plants aren’t your thing, or you know you won’t be able to keep it alive (guilty!), fake ones will do! This olive tree looked great in my classroom library or try adding some small succulents to your teacher desk.
7. Classroom posters
Adding classroom posters is one of the best easy classroom decor ideas out there…honestly, they’re great!
With no cutting required and endless possibilities, what’s not to love?!
Try adding seasonal classroom posters to a bulletin board or your classroom door to keep things fun and interesting for the students (and you!)
Check out these seasonal classroom posters that are super inexpensive and you can reuse each year:
- Spring classroom posters
- St Patrick’s Day classroom posters
- Easter classroom posters
- Valentine’s Day classroom posters
As well as adding seasonal posters for easy classroom decor, you can also add posters in your classroom that will last all year round. This couldn’t be more simple because all you do is print them off and pin them up and they are good for the whole year!
Why not try these classroom posters:
8. Contact paper
Let’s face it, some of the furniture in our classrooms is downright ugly! And we spend so much of our time in our classrooms that we deserve nice things! Buying a new teacher desk might not be within budget, or you may not be allowed to change it, so why not transform the one you’ve got with contact paper!
This marble one would totally transform your teacher desk, or try this white wood effect one like in the picture. Add one of those fun bulletin board borders from earlier and you’re away!
This might not be the easiest classroom decor idea on the list but it is one that probably makes the most impact visually!
[Related Post: The Cutest Teacher Desk Organization Essentials That Every Teacher Needs!]
9. Add a rug
Add a rug to your reading area or in your carpet area for the easiest classroom decor addition. Try finding ones with patterns that also double as sitting spots for your children.
Temu has lots of very affordable options!
Top tip: don’t go for a rug with a deep pile, or a shaggy one, because they will not look so hot by the end of the year!
10. Make it functional
When you do classroom organization right, it becomes a piece of classroom decor in itself! Take this teacher toolbox for example…not only is it a great way to store all of your stationery essentials, but with these matching labels, it also looks super cute!
You can grab the teacher toolbox here on Amazon or you could pick one up from any good hardware store. Check out my TPT store for some ready made labels, if you don’t want to spend the time making your own.
[Related Post: 26 Genius Classroom Organization Hacks Every Teacher Should Know!]
11. Easy bulletin board ideas
Bulletin boards are an essential in every classroom and here are some super easy ideas that will set you up for the year ahead!
Affirmation Station
Use a spare bulletin board, wall or window to make the cutest affirmation station in your elementary classroom. Hang a mirror and stick positive affirmations around it for your students to repeat whilst looking at themselves.
Affirmation stations are a great way of helping build children’s self-esteem and they can form an important part of your social and emotional teacher.
You can check out a ready made affirmation station in my TPT shop so all you need to do is add a mirror!
Birthday Display
A birthday display is another easy classroom decor idea that fills up a bulletin board and doesn’t need to be changed all year…winner!
A birthday display helps build a sense of classroom community and each child knows that they are valued when they see their name and birthday displayed in your classroom.
There are so many cute ideas for birthday displays, from balloons to cupcakes, or create one that matches with your existing decor.
If you are looking for ones you can just download and print, check out my TPT store here.
Door Decor
Adding something to you classroom door is another easy classroom decor idea. You could go for a seasonal design and switch it out throughout the year or if that sounds like too much trouble create a cute design that will last all year.
You could go all out with your classroom door decor and Pinterest is full of AMAZING designs and ideas. But if you are looking for something a little easier, try using an editable where you can add the names of your students.
12. Clock labels
Adding labels to your classroom clock is another super easy and functional classroom decor idea. It will be so helpful in supporting your children to learn to tell the time and it brightens up your classroom too!
You can easily make your own clock labels and use colors that match your classroom theme. Alternatively, feel free to check out my TPT store to save yourself the time and hassle!
13. Add a garland
Adding a garland to your classroom should definitely be on your to-do list because look how cute they are! Try hanging one above your classroom door or even across the front of your teacher desk (which is now looking super cute after the contact paper DIY ;))
This one from Amazon is a pastel rainbow design and is super affordable. Or you could have a go at making your own if you’re feeling crafty!
14. Reading tipi
Who wouldn’t want to go and read a book in this adorable reading corner tipi! Add some comfy cushions and twinkly lights for a truly magical reading experience.
This one from Amazon even comes with lights! Honestly, this is where you’ll find me at the end of the day once the kids have gone home, ha!
15. Add cute cushions
Add cute cushions to your reading area to help kids get comfy and settle into reading their books. Plus, how cute and homely does this look?!
These boho classroom cushions are seriously gorgeous and will look GREAT in your classroom!
This post was all about easy classroom decor.
You’ll also love:
♥ 9 Essential Steps To Complete Your Elementary Classroom Setup
