Issue 6 - InVironments Magazine

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Setting Up
an effective
Study Space
By DeAnna Radaj, Bante Design LLC
As “back to school” time approaches
(I hear the cheering of parents far and
wide!), one of the items that should
be part of any student’s “to-do” list is
setting up an organized and efficient
space to study and do homework.
In setting up an effective study space,
use Feng Shui principles when laying
out the space plan. Feng Shui is the 5000
year old Chinese science of creating a
balanced environment (yin-yang), and
while there are three principle schools of
Feng Shui (Compass, Form and Bagua/
Black Hat Sect), they all use nature,
accessories, and focus on placement of
items to activate energy (chi) of the space.
In the case of a child’s bedroom serving
double duty-sleeping and studying, the
bed is the most important furniture
piece, with the desk being secondary.
When using a bedroom as the place
where most homework is done, the bed
should be placed in the Power Position
(diagonal corner from the doorway
looking in to the room), with the desk
being placed in the Knowledge Life Area
(closest left corner on entryway wall).
The desk should face into the space if
possible, not looking out a window or at
a wall. The worst location for the desk is
directly in line with the door or entryway.
In Feng Shui terms this is called the
“death position,” and you don’t want that!
This is due to the person sitting at the
desk being vulnerable with each person
passing the door; there is no security in
this location. Besides, if your back is
to the door, you can easily be startled,
disrupting your work focus. Think of
how a work cubicle is set-up to illustrate
this point. If a desk is set up facing a
window, the person seated at the desk
can get distracted by what is going on
outside. A desk facing a wall can literally
cause the person seated at the desk
to “hit a brick wall” when it comes to
problem-solving, or being creative. If this
is the only way a desk can be situated
(small space), then hang some detailed
artwork or a bulletin board up to help
engage stimulating mental activity.
You want your desk facing into the room
so you can see anyone entering. You also
want a solid wall behind your chair for
support and security (not a window).
Next, make sure the desk has an
efficient lay-out. Is everything you need
easily accessible? Can you open drawers
and file cabinets easily? Can you walk
through the space without tripping
over, stepping around, or bumping
into anything? If not, change it around.
Bruises, cuts, and irritation at moving
an item to reach another item cause
stress which isn’t good on any level.
16 Rochelle InVironments Magazine • August-September 2011
Where life happens. 17