As a teacher who has taught everything from wide-eyed kindergarteners to skeptical high school students and more, one thing has always stood out to me: everyone—no matter their age—wants to feel like they belong somewhere.

That’s why I believe, with my whole heart, that the way we set up and decorate our classrooms matters more than most people realize. It’s not just about being “Pinterest-worthy” or having coordinated colors (though that can be fun!). It’s about creating a space that feels safe, welcoming, and human.  For the next ten months, this will be a second home to these students. It will be a place they see in their dreams for years to come and a place they will hold in their memories forever. The classroom is hallowed ground, for this is a place where a love of learning can be discovered or discouraged.

When students walk into my classroom for the first time, they are already feeling something. Some feel excited. Others feel nervous, overwhelmed, or unsure. The very first message my classroom gives—before I even say a word—tells them whether or not this is a space where they can breathe, belong, and be themselves.  And as terribble as this is to face, for some students, this might be the only safe, clean, warm environment they have.

Whether you’re five or fifteen, your environment affects your mood. So when students enter a room filled with bright, inviting colors, soft lighting, thoughtful displays, and encouraging words on the walls, it sends an important message:

“You matter. You are safe here. This is a place where you can be you.”

When we decorate our classrooms with intention, we can create a sense of shared identity and belonging. Things like a “We Are Artists” wall, student work displays, or a cozy reading corner with pillows and rugs aren’t fluff—they’re community builders.

In high school classrooms, it might look a little different, but I am a huge advcate that these spaces should be just as beautiful, warm and inviting. This can look like posters that reflect students' diverse interests, affirmations on the walls, or collaborative bulletin boards—but the heart is the same: This is our space.  

When students feel that the classroom is as much theirs as it is mine, they take ownership. They engage more. They treat each other with kindness. They come back the next day—even when they had a hard one. 

It creates a space they want to be in, that they take pride in. Furthermore, labels and organization creates a sense of ownership of the space while also teaching a life skill that they will need for their own spaces whether that is a room at home or the day they move into their first place.  It's up to us as educators, to model that. And while we have more than enough on our plate, the easiest way to do that is with your classroom setup. 

And to be clear: you don’t need a huge budget or a background in interior design and you don't have to settle for the cheesey classroom decor of your childhood. I went out of my way to combine the warmth of the classroom with an aesthetic that has a touch of class included and can work and function for any grade level. It’s not about perfection—it’s about intention. A string of twinkle lights, a framed quote that inspires you, a calm color palette, a plant in the window, or a little basket of books they love—those details speak volumes.  

Creating a warm, decorated classroom isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about emotional safety, community, and connection. It’s about showing your students, from day one, that they are walking into a place that was designed with them in mind.

We decorate our classrooms because we believe in the power of belonging.

And when kids feel like they belong?

That’s when the real learning begins.