Classroom Decoration Ideas

As a teacher, you want to ensure that your classroom inspires, motivates, and sparks your students on their learning journey.

That’s precisely why proper classroom decor is so essential. When deliberately planned and thought out, classroom decor is an effective way to maintain students’ attention, motivate them about new topics, and cultivate an atmosphere of constant learning. 

So if you’re looking to upgrade your classroom, you’ve come to the right place. Here, you’ll learn some do’s and don’ts about classroom decoration as well as the type of content and colors you should place on your walls. 

Dos and Don’ts for Classroom Decorating Ideas

Did you know that about 80% of learning occurs visually? 

Visual learning stems from the early months of life when infants spend their awake time acquiring knowledge through observation. As such, it’s only natural to rely on visual cues to understand the world around you as a child.

Even as children get older, they still rely on sight to digest information and their environment. That’s why the details of what students see in the classroom is so critical. 

Fortunately, there are best practices you can follow when decorating your classroom so your students can engage effectively with their surroundings. Here’s what you need to know about using classroom decor to enhance the learning environment.

Do Display Student Work 

Displaying student work is one easiest and most effective ways to boost self-worth within the classroom. Students develop a greater sense of responsibility when their work is placed on display in a community area, such as on bulletin boards or classroom walls.

Seeing their own work promotes their sense of competence. It can also foster better decision-making and teamwork.

Don’t Clutter the Walls

Although it may be tempting to fill every inch of your classroom walls, studies have shown that heavily-decorated classrooms can be disruptive. A good rule of thumb is to provide undecorated space between each visual aid and keep 20% to 50% of your wall space clear.

Do Select a Cohesive Color Scheme

Monotone classrooms have been shown to create a sense of restlessness and make it more difficult to concentrate. To keep kids engaged, use color schemes that facilitate interest while also keeping kids centered (orange, red, and yellow capture attention while brown, blue, and green promote calmness).

Try to make visual focal points by color-coding different sections of your classroom (i.e., the student center is green while the teacher center is blue, and so on). And don’t forget to decorate your bulletin boards!

Don’t Display Student Scores

At one time, displaying student scores, grades, or behaviors was  common practice – but it’s now considered outdated and even dangerous to kids’ self-esteem.

Studies have shown that although these displays can work for high-performing students, they backfire significantly for struggling students. They can lead to shamefulness and demoralization.

Do Display Visual Aids

Visual aids are among the most effective methods of communicating with your students. Posters that reinforce lessons and classroom themes can boost learning because they help teachers share messages and concepts in a fun, visually appealing way.

For young children, signs are especially beneficial since they can capture little kids’ attention and hold it for much longer than verbal instruction.

Must-Have Posters and Wall Art You Need for Your Classroom Decorating Ideas

When choosing posters for your classroom, it's crucial that you select appropriate ones for the available space, the age group of your students, and the subjects being taught.

Here are some creative ways you can incorporate education and inspiration into your preschool, kindergarten, or elementary-age classrooms with kid-friendly visuals.

Classroom Welcome Signs

Classroom welcome signs are a great way to start off each day on the right foot. The best part is that welcome signs come in various typefaces, colors, and messages, so you can find a fun sign to match your classroom theme or color scheme. 

The Future of the World is in This Room Today - Banner Pack

One of Sproutbrite’s bestselling welcome signs says, “The future of the world is in this room today.”

This simple affirmation poster has an eye-catching design with bold coloring that captures your attention and reflects the positive environment the teacher is trying to create. It can also provide that extra nudge of motivation and inspiration to students.

Early Learning Educational Posters

Early learning posters are among the most essential posters you can have in your classroom for young learners. 

Early Learning Educational Preschool, Kindergarten, & Homeschool Learning Charts for Toddlers

As children play, socialize, and learn throughout the day, they’re also looking around at their surroundings. When walls are filled with information about the alphabet, emotions, time, seasons, and days of the week, they’re provided with even more opportunities to passively absorb and digest information.

In other words, they’re learning without even realizing it!

Growth Mindset Focus

Teachers today are focusing on social-emotional learning more than ever before, which is why growth mindset posters have become one of the most powerful visual aids in the classroom.

Growth Mindset Vertical Poster

Positive mindset-focused posters like this one remind students that they can do more than they realize, which promotes learning beyond academics.

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is vital for students because it teaches them how to develop a positive self-image, take responsibility for their actions, and form healthy relationships with those around them.

Inspiration, Kindness, and Motivation Posters

Believe it or not, motivational posters that focus on inspiration, kindness, and teamwork are very impactful — even for adults! One study showed that motivation posters increase employees’ performance by 33%, so it’s incredible to think about the effect that these posters can have on young minds.

Superhero Theme Classroom Poster Pack

Motivated children are also more confident: They tend to have better control over their negative emotions and maintain a strong sense of self.

These posters can also be used to remind children about the classroom rules, like using kind words, teamwork, and problem-solving when faced with challenging tasks.

Decorate by Subject and Topic

Visual aids are one of the most useful elements in any educational space. In fact, hanging the right classroom decorations on the walls can help boost math and reading abilities!

Elementary teachers should have classroom posters featuring the subjects they’re teaching, such as: 

Writing Process Banner Pack / Basic Addition Table

• Math
• Reading
• Science
• Spanish
• Writing

When children see images of what their teacher is trying to convey, they’re automatically more engaged in the material because they can actually see how something works.

Another great reason to put up these posters is that they can be used in real-time. For example, when practicing addition and subtraction, students can look to their math posters for help and direction.

Conclusion

As an educator, you know it's important to decorate your classroom in a way that’s attractive yet functional. 

Whether you’re decorating your classroom for the new school year or redecorating for the season, your poster content should represent the subject matter you’re teaching, as well as positive traits like community, teamwork, personal growth, diversity, and togetherness. 

Just as importantly, poster appearance should be: 

• Simple yet colorful enough to catch the eye
• Easy to read from a distance
• Short and sweet since the poster subject matter should be quickly identifiable

And that’s where Sproutbrite comes in. With thousands of vividly-colored welcome signs, motivational posters, subject-material visuals, and much more, you can find the best decor for your classroom. Sproutbrite creates industry-leading classroom decorations that can enhance any educational space. 

Check out what’s in-store at Sproutbrite today as well as our best selling products. Who knows, you might even see some great ideas that you didn't think of before!