Classroom furniture essentials for every grade
There are literally thousands of classroom furniture products on the market. Each serves unique learning environments, comes with distinct student features, and presents diverse materials and quality. So, how can your school simplify the furniture purchasing process with so many options at your disposal?
We’re here to help. Explore these classroom furniture essentials for every K-12 grade level based on quality, ergonomics, design, and popularity among other districts. Find what your classrooms need without sifting through the endless catalogs of products.
How we chose the best classroom furniture pieces for each grade
We investigate the psychological effects classroom setup and structure has on students of all ages. Our team also works with thousands of school districts nationwide. Moreover, 97% of the top 1,000 districts are our repeat customers, meaning we have a front-row seat to spot shifts in learning spaces, new challenges, and the most popular furnishings.
We have insights into which school furniture products work for a variety of dynamic, traditional, and flexible classrooms. Here, you’ll also explore the classroom essentials for every K-12 grade level based on modern designs, student comfort, and durability.
What to consider when buying classroom furniture specific to each grade
Of course, the concept of which school chair is best will be different for each school and learning space. To better narrow your efforts, consider some of these parameters:
Size of tables and chairs
Space for aisles
Students supplies
Accessibility for all students
Ease of cleaning
Storage capabilities
Age-appropriate accessories
Mobility needs
Quality materials
Early learning classroom furniture essentials
Early learning classrooms focus mainly on hands-on learning. Educators know our littlest learners need space to move, create, and build. Furniture can support how you create a space for inclusive and flexible learning. The following is a list of essential furniture to make early learning classrooms fun and organized:
You may not realize it, but a rug is one of the most essential pieces of classroom furniture in an early learning classroom. The classroom rug is often the main hub for learning, activity, and play. Young learners gravitate towards bright and colorful rugs with fun graphics. Consider these rugs for your preschool and kindergarten classrooms:
Don’t forget to grab some floor cushions like these to make rug time extra comfy:
When young learners make their way to desk time, trying to stay seated is a skill that students usually need help with. Offer a variety of kindergarten chair choices so you can set them up for success. Here are a few of our favorite seating options for young learners:
Activity storage is a must-have for early learning classrooms. These classrooms need to house toys, craft supplies, puzzles, books, and artwork. We recommend pieces like these to keep your classroom functional and organized:
Grade school classroom furniture essentials
Grade school classrooms begin the evolution from play to strategic play. With this evolution comes the opportunity for new things in the classroom, like technology, makerspace, and STEM. As you consider the physical space of your classroom, remember to make space for this type of creative learning.
Studies show that providing makerspace and STEM-focused areas in the classroom enhances the learning experience and helps develop the learner’s creativity. A few essential pieces of classroom furniture that will help keep these spaces organized and functional are:
The right desk is important for every grade school classroom. Prioritize desks that are easy to clean, easy to move, and transition from individual to collaborative. The top three desks for grade school are:
Middle school classroom furniture essentials
Middle school students enter an age where friendships are paramount, and independence is highly coveted. These biological changes in your students can influence how you structure your middle school classroom. Create a space for conversation and connection, provide storage for personal items, and engineer your classroom for accessibility. This will allow students to get things on their own and will create a perfect learning environment for this age group. Here are our suggestions to make your space really shine:
Create a cozy corner for conversation, group work, or independent learning with soft seating options like:
Studies show that approximately two-thirds of American middle schoolers participate in either clubs, sports, or lessons and tutoring. What does this mean for the middle school classroom? It means there might be a need for more student storage for personal items. We like these lockers to keep personal items organized:
High school classroom furniture essentials
High schoolers no longer have a singular classroom but many. Each specialized class must have the right gear and classroom furniture for its own function to give students the best learning advantage. Here are a few must-haves for each specialized high school classroom:
Art class:
Computer lab:
Hallways and common areas:
Science room:
Where to buy the best classroom furniture for every grade
We’ve got you covered with our pre-rendered classroom designs and our virtual design center. We can help you create just the right space for every grade in your school.
Why buy classroom furniture for every grade through School Outfitters
Our school furnishings experts can simplify the furniture purchasing process for every age group and classroom style. We work with you from start to finish and help you design the classroom that best fits the learning needs of your students. Call us today or start shopping to get a free quote on all your K-12 classroom furniture essentials.
