Camp Creek Press

For those who work in education, fall is the beginning of the new year rather than January 1. Our teacher friends are getting their classrooms ready for their new students -- always exciting and fun. This week we'll share some of our tips for making a beautiful classroom (or home!) space for children without spending much money.

Our preschool classrooms, like many in America, were located in the basement of our building. Yet we still managed to have a very bright and open space, and we received a lot of compliments on its warm and welcoming feel.

One way we accomplished that goal was the right paint color -- light, bright, but also warm. It was a very light yellow, and it even managed to warm up the overhead fluorescent lighting.

We also bounced our natural light around with several mirrors, making the most of our two windows. In the picture above, you can see students choosing art materials from mirrored shelves. Mirrors not only bounce light and reflect views, but they give the illusion of extra space. Setting a mirror behind a plant gives you two plants, and so on.

These mirrored shelves were easily (and cheaply!) accomplished with inexpensive metal shelving hardware, wood planks, and five-dollar door mirrors (bought at this time of year, meant for dorm rooms) laid sideways and attached to the wall in between the shelves.

Set out art materials in garage-sale wooden bowls and berry baskets, and you have a beautiful, affordable display.