Can Classroom Furniture Increase Engagement in Learning?

We're excited to share the findings of our new research on how classroom furniture impacts student engagement, well-being, and more.

At KI, it's always been our belief that the “right” learning environment, and the classroom
furniture that goes into it, can get students excited to learn and teachers excited to teach. A
beautiful and dynamic space can help both students and teachers more deeply engage and thus
rediscover the joy of learning each and every day.

We've witnessed this firsthand after revealing new classroom furniture to the winning students and teachers from our first and second Classroom Furniture Giveaway. During last year's contest,
we decided to research how a change in classroom furniture as the change variable can impact
the student engagement and experience.

Our Hypothesis and Methodology

Before their classroom makeover, we researched the sixth-grade students of one of the winning teachers, Teresa Youssofi. Then, we researched them again after they spent time in the new classroom to see if their opinions and learning experiences had changed.

We had three hypotheses on what the results would show:

1. The right classroom furniture can increase student and teacher engagement.
2. As schools continue to face absenteeism, the right classroom furniture can make students excited to come into class each day.
3. As schools struggle to attract and retain teachers, the right classroom furniture can get educators more excited about coming to work and teaching. 

Our final research data shows just how transformative furniture can be.

A Place for Everyone and Everything 

It's hard for a distracted student to get the most out of whatever the day's lesson is, whether it's teacher instruction, group activities, or independent learning.

A space that's comfortable, flexible, and organized goes a long way in helping students stay focused and engaged. Mrs. Youssofi's winning classroom design featured a variety of seating, worksurface, and storage options to create a more personalized learning experience for each student.

The research results prove what a difference this approach made:

• 88% of students find the seating comfortable, compared to just 16% before. 
• 96% of students believe their needs are well supported by different seating and table options, compared to just 38% before. 
• 60% of students say it's easy to store their belongings, such as bags and coats, compared to just 24% before. 

An Accommodating Space for All Students

We know that a classroom that supports the unique needs and learning styles of all students can make learning more fun and inspiring.

We researched the students to learn more about how the new classroom affected their well-being. We explored whether they found the space accommodating, aesthetically pleasing, and supportive of their need to wiggle or move around while learning. Our findings include:

• 92% of students say it's fun to study in the space, compared to 50% before. 
• 72% of students want to spend more time in the classroom, compared to 42% before. 
• 80% of students believe that the space supports their individual needs, compared to 50% before. 
• 100% of students believe their learning space is beautiful, compared to just 35% before. 

Cultivating a Learning Community

Fostering a sense of community helps students grow their confidence, share their work, and interact with one another. When students can easily collaborate, they develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that they'll carry with them for years to come. 

We asked students to consider whether their classroom helped them gather, collaborate, and interact with others.

• 84% of students say it's easy to show and share their work with others, compared to 50% before.  
• 88% of students believe it's easy to make and build things together, compared to 50% before. 
• 96% of students say it's easy to break into group work, compared to just 35% before. 
• 100% of students believe it's easy to use technology in the classroom, compared to 76% before. 

Furniture Alone Can Impact Engagement

At KI, we know that students and teachers are facing countless challenges, from waning enthusiasm for learning to absenteeism to burnout. Our research shows that classroom furniture has a meaningful impact on fostering well-being, comfort, and a sense of community.

Of course, we understand that teachers know their space and students better than anyone. With our third annual Classroom Furniture Giveaway, we're giving teachers across the United States the chance to win a classroom makeover of their dreams.

Stay tuned for the results!

Learn More About Our Giveaway