Getting your kids back to school can feel daunting, and especially this autumn, when all of us face the additional stress of trying to return to normalcy with the COVID-19 pandemic ticking along in the background.

Schools in Monaco closed for nearly two months between March and May, making the scholastic routine feeling even more unfamiliar this year. However, there are things you can do to make everything feel more normal and ease you and your kids back into it. Routines typically start in the home, so this guide will look at small renovations you can do within your family apartment in Monaco to optimise your home for back-to-school life.

Transform your family apartment in Monaco with these quick tips…

Creating a working environment for kids

We all know it’s hard enough to get kids to do their homework, but without a proper space to work, it gets even harder. It’s easy enough for them to claim to be working in front of the TV, but television typically reduces concentration, often making the homework take longer and ultimately be of a lower quality. That’s why, if possible, it’s good to create a desk space which they can associate with their work, and sit at whenever they need to focus.

However, this is easier said than done in Monaco, where family apartments are typically compact. Fold-away desks are a good compromise, allowing you to enjoy the space without the desk most of the time and only fold it out when needed. However, in this situation you will also need to install some shelving to create a home for their school supplies. Another option, if you can sacrifice a bottom bunk, is to put a loft bed in your child’s room, meaning there is space underneath the top bunk for a desk and work area.

Also, think about where they will store their uniform – do you need to put up additional hooks in their room for their school bag and clothes? Can you create a clear space in their wardrobe where they will commit to putting their uniform away each night? Monaco’s strict uniform rules mean that no child over four is exempt from wearing the set clothes, and stressing over lost clothing items is something you definitely don’t need each morning.

Creating an office space for yourself

Many of us may find ourselves working from home this autumn, with many businesses offering more flexible working or full home working during the pandemic. If you know that this will affect you, why not try to make the best of it by creating your own private home office space?

If you can sacrifice a room of your Monaco family apartment to be your dedicated office, then this is a fantastic option. However, we are aware that won’t work for everyone. Is your master bedroom big enough to have a desk in the corner, perhaps by a window where you can benefit from natural light and get inspired by the views? Or, do you have a closet space that could be cleared out to become your private workspace? The main thing you want to avoid is working in a place where people are constantly walking past and distracting you – a door that you can close sets clear boundaries as to when you can and can’t be disturbed.

Decorate for success

Once you have taken care of the practicalities the fun part comes – decorating your workspaces to make them nice places to hang out in. Think about what inspires your kids, and what inspires you, and incorporate these things into your design. Many people find plants to have a very soothing presence, while others may want posters or motivational words in front of them. In terms of colour palette, soft greens and blues are said to improve efficiency and focus, making them winners for your office decor.

We hope this guide has been helpful! If you need help renovating your Monaco family apartment, or are searching for a property and would like to speak to an expert, or please contact John Taylor – luxury real estate agents in Monaco – who will be happy to help.

Lead image © RIVIERA BUZZ; photo of child at desk by Johny Goerend on Unsplash; home office photo by Michael Soledad on Unsplash; photo of plants by Brina Blum on Unsplash