Hey darling,
If you’re thinking about starting homeschool but feel overwhelmed by all the fancy setups and expensive resources you see online, pause right here. I’m sharing a real, honest look at how we’re making it work with what we already have at home. No Pinterest-perfect classroom, no huge budget — just practical ideas, creativity, and the grace of God leading the way.
In this blog post, I’ll show you how I’ve set up a flexible homeschool space in our living room, how I reused everyday items (even delivery boxes!), and how you can start teaching your little one today, right where you are, with what you have.
Our Homeschool Space – The Living Room Setup
Okay, so first up, let’s talk about how we keep the space clean and calm, and why baskets have become my secret weapon. I’m a big believer that a tidy space creates a tidy mind (well… as tidy as it gets with a toddler around!), so we’ve got designated baskets where all my daughter’s toys live. During the day, they come out for full-blown playtime, dolls, blocks, crayons, chaos, but as soon as she goes to sleep, everything goes right back in. No toy is left behind! It’s like our own little nighttime ritual. I love my living room to look like a relaxing space in the evening, not like a mini toy store exploded.
When it comes to homeschooling, I wanted something just as flexible, a setup I could pack away quickly or cover up so the space doesn’t feel like a classroom 24/7. Everything we use fits into little areas and baskets, and I can easily change the room back into a peaceful adult zone by dinner time. It’s a win-win. Plus, it helps my daughter understand the rhythm of the day. When she sees the learning tools come out, she’s like, “Oh, it’s homeschool time now!” And when it’s all packed away, she knows we’re back to chill-mode. Simple routines like this have honestly made all the difference, and they’ve kept me sane on the days when nothing else goes to plan.
Repurposing Everyday Items for Teaching Tools
In my daughter’s bedroom, we’ve got more homeschool essentials tucked away, there are a lot of posters and things like I’ve shown in the blog post (I *think* I’ve shown that? If not, no worries — the photos will give you a proper peek!).
You’ll see all sorts: colourful learning posters, ABC charts, and a whole lot of visual goodness that helps keep things fun and engaging. It’s giving “classroom meets toddler chaos”, but it works!
A Visual Learning Corner That Grows With Her
Now, downstairs, this is where the creativity really kicks in. I basically took an Amazon delivery box (thank you, late-night online shopping!), and flattened it out because it was long enough to be useful. I looked at it and thought, “This could definitely be something.” The plan? I’ll probably paint it, I haven’t done it yet, but you know how it goes. I’ll either paint it or cover it in something clean and neutral so it doesn’t clash with our living room décor. I’m thinking maybe white or a soft tone we’ve got left in the shed, no need to buy anything fancy!
This long cardboard will be my rotating display board. I’ll hook it up in the corner of the room with a pin during our homeschool hours and take it down when we’re finished. It’s perfect for things like her big ABC flashcards or whatever topic we’re working on at the time. When it’s number week, I’ll just swap them out, easy! It’s kind of like our little pop-up teaching wall that disappears by bedtime. Practical, affordable, and makes me feel a bit like a homeschooling Mary Poppins ,pulling out magic from everyday bits and bobs!
The idea is simple, I’ll stick flashcards or learning visuals on there with Blu Tack based on our weekly themes, one week might be the alphabet, another could be colours or numbers. And if she doesn’t quite get something after a week? No pressure. That’s one of the blessings of homeschooling: we can take our time. We’ll stretch it a few extra days until it clicks, then move on at her pace.
She absolutely loved it the first time we used it. I still want to get a few more pieces to build it all out — like a proper chalkboard. Nothing huge, just a small one I can get secondhand or save up for. I’d love to introduce a “Theme of the Day” on there, with a little scripture, just something simple to help her start connecting her learning to the Word. She already reads her books before bed, so now it’s just about easing into a routine that works for both of us, something structured but not too overwhelming.
Honestly, this little cardboard creation reminds me that being a good steward isn’t about having all the latest or flashiest thing, it’s about being resourceful and intentional with what God’s already placed in your hands. As Luke 16:10 says:
“Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much…”
That’s exactly what I’m trying to walk in, take what we’ve got, and turn it into something meaningful, with grace and a splash of paint.
Budget-Friendly Ideas That Still Work
I have a friend who used the thin card you get from the back of wardrobes, you know, that lightweight board that always seems like it’s going to fall off the back but somehow doesn’t? She had some spare time, and she used that to create her own teaching board.
She also grabbed one of those foam alphabet and number sets you find in supermarkets, the kind they make for bathtime, and stuck them onto her board. Super simple, super effective. Honestly, half the time with homeschooling, it’s just about thinking outside the box… or in our case, using the actual box!
It’s really just to give you ideas of things you can use without having to buy everything brand-new. Be resourceful. Even when I was teaching my daughter colours, I literally went to B&Q and picked up free paint swatches, the primary and secondary colours, just the ones they have out for decorating. I brought them home and used them as makeshift flashcards. No lamination, no fancy font, just pure DIY vibes.
Later on, I did end up buying proper flashcards, but in the beginning? Those paint samples did the job just fine. So don’t feel pressured to have the Pinterest-perfect setup — sometimes the best tools are already around you. You just have to spot them!
Just Start With What You Have
I think the main thing is to understand you don’t actually have to go out and buy loads of stuff. In the beginning, all we had were books, a few flashcards, and worksheets that I made myself. She would colour them in, and we’d talk about the meaning behind the topic. That was all we were doing, and it worked!
So I think it’s really important to know, just start with the tools you have right now. If you want to homeschool, don’t feel like you have to break the bank or make big changes. You can homeschool anywhere, it doesn’t matter how big or small the space is. You don’t need a dedicated area, but if you can create one, I do recommend it.
Why the Living Room Works for Us
For me, I’ve chosen a dedicated area in our living room. It just made sense. It’s right next to the kitchen, so if I’m cooking and she’s doing something at the table, I can pop back and forth easily to check on her. It just felt like the right space.
And as the Lord blesses us with more children, I expect they’ll also be in that space. The table can hold four chairs, so technically, it can accommodate more kids. Not saying we’ll have four kids! I mean, I’m in my 30s now, so we may just have one more. But if the Lord wills, maybe two — we don’t know yet!
My last words of Advice, you’re Already Equipped 💛
I truly pray that this blog post gave you some fresh ideas and peace of mind as you step into or continue on your homeschool journey.
It’s so easy to compare ourselves to the picture-perfect setups we see online and start to feel inadequate. But let me remind you, you don’t need to have it all figured out, and you don’t need a big budget. With a little creativity, a teachable spirit, and a heart full of love for your child, you are already equipped for this calling.
You were handpicked to nurture and lead your child in this season. That’s not by accident, it’s by design. You’re not here reading this by chance either. God placed you here, right now, because He knows you’re capable through Him.
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” — 2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
That verse gives me so much peace, because it reminds me that we’re not doing this in our own strength. God has already provided what we need. And if He’s called you to homeschool, even just for a season, He will equip you for it, spiritually, emotionally, and practically.
So take a breath. Don’t aim for perfection, aim for connection. Aim for peace in your home. Let your homeschool flow from love, not rigid schedules. Let learning be joyful, natural, and centred on what matters most for your child. Give yourself grace when the days are messy, and thank God for the small wins.
And most of all, invite God into the process. Let Him lead you. Ask Him to guide your lessons, your rhythm, your words. The Holy Spirit is the best teacher and will give you insight that no curriculum ever could.
You don’t have to know it all. You just need to be present, prayerful, and open to grow as your child grows.
If anything in this blog post encouraged you or gave you an idea, I’d love to hear from you! And if you have any creative homeschool tips, hacks, or wisdom that has helped you, please share them in the comments or send me a message. You never know how your experience might bless and encourage another woman who’s just getting started or feeling unsure.
We’re in this together — building homes filled with learning, faith, and love. 💛
Let’s keep showing up, one day at a time, trusting that God will meet us exactly where we are.
Sending blessings to you!
Scherise. X
