When students step into a classroom where the lights are warm, the desks are set in groups, and the walls display student artwork, they often feel more willing to learn. Curating spaces where students not only feel comfortable but also represented allows for teacher and student connections to be built with ease, which in turn can make students eager to learn.
When Math teacher David Leen was asked about differences between the classrooms he grew up in and the one he teaches now, he pointed out the importance of quiet spaces and softer lighting.
“They were very fluorescent lights on all the time, and there were no quiet spaces”, Leen said.
He didn’t want to continue the tradition of having a sterile classroom, so as a first-year teacher, he used the help of his mom and his own money to create an environment that would help his students learn best. His mother helped make bathroom passes, he hung encouraging artwork, and got lamps to contribute to the overall relaxing atmosphere.
“I want to make my classroom like I want it,” Leen said. “And the way that I want it is homey.”
According to a poll conducted on Oct 19, 2025, 72 percent of students believed that they paid better attention in decorated classrooms. For Nelly Flynn (10), she found lighting was one of the most important aspects of a classroom.
“I really like it when they have warm-toned lights rather than cool-toned lights,” Flynn said. “It makes it feel less like a school building.”
History teacher Elisha Shantz agreed with the ideas of welcoming classes leading to better engagement from students and thinks that when teaching subjects that may be commonly seen as dull or uninteresting for students, a less intimidating learning environment can help students focus.
“That’s the goal – a comfortable environment to learn in,” Shantz said. Although Shantz believes the fairy lights, lamps, art, and grouped tables in her room contribute to students’ learning experience, she also wanted a space she would enjoy spending time in for upwards of 7 hours a day.
“I don’t mind spending 50 bucks to make my class look nice.”
