Why is School Interior Design Important?

Children spend a large amount of their pre-adult lives in classrooms. Academic activity moulds many of them into the people they will become as adults so the importance of a learning environment is paramount to growth, development and learning.

From integration of interactive technology and storage spaces, all the way to safety criteria and visual inspiration, the importance of a classroom and school interior design should never be considered as less than an integrated educational and interactive tool.

Studies show that physical characteristics of primary schools do impact pupils’ learning progress in reading, writing and mathematics. In fact, the effects are quite large, scaling at explaining 16% of the variation in the overall progress over a year.

With that is mind, the design of a school interior is much more than just a colour concept and a set of furnishings. Become inspired with popular design ideas and find out how Benchmark Products can help you achieve your own innovative school furniture solution.

Design trends to consider for school interiors

Creating space

Incorporating and utilising an area in the spacial design of school interiors has a significant impact on how a room feels. School classrooms should be designed to meet physical and mental requirements. Whilst the design of a space can promote proactivity and engage students, the space in a room can make a much more efficient area for storage of items.

Space can also be physically functional as well as mentally up-lifting. The use of classroom storage walls and shelving systems mean that even small spaces don’t need to be cluttered. Hiding wires and items on high levels also ensures floor areas are kept tidy, therefore not making a detrimental impact on the mind or efficiency of students and staff.

At Benchmark, we take all this into consideration. Previous projects such as St Michaels’ VA Junior School where furniture was to be installed in an area of busy thoroughfare, whilst also transforming the space into a quiet place for children to read. So how do you create a serene environment in a busy walkway?

For this project, Benchmark designed bespoke curved shelving that followed the contours of the walkways. We also utilised different heights and levels of shelving in order to reduce disturbances within the busy corridor – creating the quietness for a reading space. Given that the area was small, we manufactured furniture in white to create a clean feeling combined with spaciousness. This was complemented by a splash of lime green upholstery.

Colour schemes

As previously mentioned, white is a colour utilised to make spaces feel larger and brighter. We all understand that colours have certain connotations but interior design is heavily based around colour charts and the attributes they can provide for rooms.

For example, at Heathland Primary School we supplied materials for a project that would be built into an area requiring functionality and hygienic standards. There are certain associations that exist with these terms that can form overly clinical and cold environments. However, with this project, we incorporated yellow into the units to ensure brightness and warmth was exuded. The result was a dynamic and highly practical workspace.

Typically, bright and vibrant colours are better suited to areas where creativity is being promoted. Splashes of colour convey an artistic approach that can inspire those within it. In contrast, colours that are considered more natural and calm, do particularly suit learning environments such as science labs and the above-mentioned food technology room at Heathland Primary School, Hounslow.

Benchmark Products provides design for all of the room types mentioned. We supply tough and chemical resistant science lab furniture that is functional, durable and inspired. The same focus applies for our art room decor and food tech furniture. Same high quality designs centered around functionality but with the ability to match it to the client’s requirements.

Colour schemes are also important due to the association of branding they can convey. A reception area that utilises the school’s colours will instantly link visitors and pupils to the school’s values. Even little touches of colour that link back to the school’s house values displayed on furniture such as lockers and tea and coffee stations ensure colour schemes are used for more than just show.

Check out our colour visualiser to evaluate the schemes or contrasts you could have for your next school design project. With this unique tool, you can create and test different design combinations for your worktops, cabinets and doors/drawers. Save yourself fuss further down the line by visualising your colour design now. With worktop finishes in both timber and stone, you can test and view their contrast with a bright array of colours from lemon to lilac. Maybe you’ll even see a combination you’d never thought of before!

Industrial Design

We all remember a time when we’d drag our feet as we wandered into school or groaned loudly when we realised our next period was science but in the recent years the focus around STEM subjects has risen drastically.

More and more schools are investing time and money in their STEM focused classrooms in order for students to flourish in these subjects. These spaces need to drive those who have a passion for the subject and motivate those who don’t. A few beakers full of elephant’s toothpaste won’t cut it.

STEM rooms can become places where the mind boggles. Getting students involved can be difficult enough but the design should work with the educator, not against them. Choose a classroom that allows teachers and students alike to open their minds.
Benchmark can provide STEM rooms that work. Science rooms that let students defy gravity. Food technology rooms that let them get five stars. Maths classes that don’t subtract from students love of numbers.

We can provide bespoke, designed solutions that cater to different teaching styles and pupils needs. Whether that’s perfectly finished hardware for I.T. Suites to encourage idea sharing or utility rooms that adhere to all standards and regulations to keep students and staff stimulated and safe, we’ve got you covered.

Highlight transitional spaces

Transitional spaces are quickly becoming the key focus of designs in schools. Closely linked to the design aspects previously mentioned such as colour and space creation, transitional areas allow students, staff and parents to link the academic world around them together.

There are so many areas in schools where students merely traipse from room to room with nothing to look at but drab walls and scuffed floors. Making a lively and bright reception area the first point of call enables those to not just be greeted by smiling faces behind the desk but also the impact of the chosen design whether that’s a school brand association or just a very warm colour feeling.

It still works exactly the same and allows for the privacy and security sometimes required but your first impression to visitors shouldn’t be a negative one. Linking transitional spaces with colour and design and integrating communal areas will embellish on the sense of security and community so many schools are proud of.

Where to buy furniture for school interiors?

At Benchmark Products, we are dedicated to providing a personal, direct and honest service every time. Function, comfort and integration are the heart of our designs. With every project we work to efficiently provide our clients with the solution they need. When it comes to school interiors, our experience and innovative approach ensure we provide the best design every time.

Our goal is to maximise the use of available space and we want to work closely with our clients every step of the way. Trends aren’t just for show and we know how much they can benefit schools for students, teachers and other faculty members. That’s why we stay dynamic with our thought processes and our designs so we can help others get the best outcome available.

All of our furniture is manufactured to the highest quality and goes through testing to make sure it’s going to fit the requirements of a school environment. It only makes sense that our installation process is meticulous as well to put everything together.

So if you’re considering investing in a new popular interior for 2019, check out our educational furniture range or take a look at establishments that have benefitted from our fantastic design solutions in the past.

Our friendly team is always happy to discuss projects or answer any questions so contact us today on 01953 889 603 or email enquiries@benchmarkproducts.co.uk

This article was written by Dean Fryer, Estimator at Benchmark FF&E Solutions since 2012.

Passionate about collaboration between sub-contractors on site and a demonstrated history in assisting building contractors and architects with producing comprehensive and definitive schedules at pre-tender and pre-contract stage, Dean is an invaluable asset to Benchmark Products and contributes towards the end goal of perfect delivery every time.