Create a comfortable space for kids to do homework

Sarah Soler, a principal at Plank Interiors in Lincoln Square, says it’s important for kids to have clearly defined space when it comes to important tasks like homework. “If there’s a place they can go that’s free of clutter, then they are able to focus and do the task at hand,” she says.

To carve out a study space in tight quarters, Soler recommends using parts of common areas like the kitchen or dining room—places where you can multitask while supervising kids’ progress—by adding a few pieces of furniture and office accessories that are simple, functional and flexible enough to meet both your kids’ needs and your own.