Anonymous wrote:We used IKEA for our kids' student desks - worked great.

We did too. Love IKEA office furniture.

We used IKEA for our kids' student desks - worked great.

We did this -- tables, chairs and bookcases from Ikea, plus a big corkboard/whiteboard. Tables work better than desks b/c they give kids room to spread out, as well as providing a spot for a friend or two to work alongside your child (very helpful for the increasing number of group projects). In general, I'd advise against spending a lot of money on furniture and definitely not built-ins. Kids evolve in their study habits and you might find, as we did, that the study lounge works beautifully for a while, but then is abandoned as kids head into middle school. Or, it might be perfect for one child, but not for another who prefers working at the kitchen table or in his/her room. Our study lounge has evolved into a cozy reading nook.

I would keep furniture to tables with some type of cabinet for storage of supplies. That way they can see at a glance that everything gets packed back up after homework (no leaving books and projects behind!) and supplies are out of sight. That way the space is also usable for entertaining or other uses at a moment's notice.

We have something similar and went with IKEA. They have lots of options with clean, simple lines. And it's cheap enough that you can replace it as your kids' needs change.

OP here--cool ideas! Thanks!

Something that can be out-of-sight when necessary...

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/incognito-ebony-compact-office/s232737

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/clarke-secretary/s197190

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10245709/

HOw about something with storage built in, and a place the kids could post things to, like this:

http://www.roomstogokids.com/product/Desks/Milan-Black-Desk-%26-Hutch/3434206P/



or just two simple tables with a narrow bookcase between:

http://www.sears.com/baxton-studio-haley-black-wood-modern-console-table/p-00828878000P?&srccode=cii_22032207&cpncode=43-12244295-2&redirectType=SRDT

We're fortunate enough to have a room right off the kitchen (1 step down) that was used, while the kids were younger, as a playroom. Now that they are mid-elementary school, we plan on turning the room into a "study lounge" where they will have desks against the wall, perhaps with a stack of drawers in between, and computers for both kids. Do any of you have suggestions for desks for this purpose, keeping in mind that they will be (very) visible from the kitchen/eat-in area?

Thanks!