Generally, when we see homework stations in kitchens, they're at low desk surfaces squeezed into a corner or way off to the side. Not so in this Madison, WI kitchen remodel. There's a place to do homework right in the thick of things, without being in the way.
It's easy to fall in love with this kitchen for its beautiful walnut cabinetry and openness to light and space. But on closer look, we really fell for it because it truly is a family space. There's plenty of room to prepare a meal while children sit at the counter stools near the fridge and do their homework. There's even a computer on said countertop, yet it's tucked into that corner created by the depth of the fridge - a leftover and hard-to-reach place that doesn't quite work for the cook in the kitchen but is indeed a wonderful spot for a computer screen. Add some casual chalkboard surfaces and the room is complete as meal prep and homework central.
What do you think? Is homework in this close of quarters with the cooking space a help or a hinderance?
Related: Colorfully Cool: A Kitchen Study Cove in the Pantry
(Image: Black and Sons Furniture)
A Real Dinner, Fast: 5 Favorite Types of Almost-No-Work Meals
How To Cook Tender, Chewy Wheat Berries on the Stovetop
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Straw Mat from The ...
Find Your Style: 20 Classic to Contemporary Kitchens to Add to Your Inspiration Board
Beth's Romantic & Retro Residence
That is a BEAUTIFUL kitchen.
If that's where the children naturally congregate, then it's the right spot. :) I would love a kitchen that includes space for guests to linger or the kids to hang out with me (okay, really my husband) while cooking is happening. Maybe in our next house!
Gorgeous. I want to do my homework there.
I would use this area for meal planning and recipe searches while kids are in school!
This kitchen is a good example of how to best give children the autonomy of choosing how they accomplish homework, but also having some control. It's especially helpful for parents with young kids and school age kids. They can all hang out in the kitchen without getting in the way of the parents who are cooking, but the parents can also keep an eye on them and not worry about something catching on fire in the kitchen.
haha, growing up, I always did my homework in the kitchen even though I had a desk in my own room.
Wonderful setup. funny enough I live just north of Madison and redesigned my kitchen to include space just for the kids. We have since used it for homework, games and just simple family meetings.
The kitchen is beautiful, but I would not use a spot tucked into the corner like that. It just feels psychologically uncomfortable. Maybe it would work with the computer there, the the second spot would never be occupied in my house. My kids do much of their homework at the dining room table. We eat all our meals there, but it is not much trouble to clear away the work and set out placemats.
We are new to homework since my daughter is only in 1st grade. Already she flops on the kitchen floor underfoot to do her homework while I cook supper. I love the kitchen in the photo, would love to have a place to sit in my kitchen.
I think it is a great idea. We have an extra large kitchen island with a computer on one side and 3 chairs. We live at that island and our kids do their homework there too. It allows me to watch them and help out when needed, but prep dinner and stuff at the same time.
Why are they in the kitchen? They have an eat-in spot right there in front. I don't know why they can't do it there and stay out of the way of whomever is preparing dinner. I don't have an eat-in kitchen, but, as my house is 1000 square feet, my dining room is the room next door so it's basically the same thing.
I do the same I ask my son to sit on a stool and read while I am cooking for the writing part I ask him to sit on the dining chair so that I can keep watch,,,:) btw luved the above kitchen ,
A computer would be pretty inconvenient sitting on the breakfast table.