The new school year will be here before we know it. Now is the time to determine what new school furniture and accessories you will need so that they can be delivered and set up in time for the start of school.

You may not be thinking about school furniture and accessories right now, but fall will be here before we know it. By selecting everything you need now and arranging financing or a layaway plan, you can ensure that everything is ready to go when the kids return.

This is a good time to rethink your classroom set-up. Even if you are not starting from scratch, you can gradually bring in new items to update the look of the rooms and increase their functionality.

Desks and Chairs

The most obvious items are student desks and chairs. Flexibility is key. You want to be able to easily move the desks around to accommodate whatever kind of formation the teacher chooses for a particular activity. Consider the size and weight of the students when choosing these. You want the students to be able to move the desks and chairs themselves. A few folding chairs might be useful to have on hand in case you need them.

Activity Tables

These come in all sizes and shapes, including round, rectangular and horseshoe. Good all-purpose tables that can be used for multiple types of activities are best. If they are not going to be used regularly, be sure to get stackable and/or folding tables so that they will not take up too much space when not in use. Again, consider the size of the students. If the students can use the same chairs when they are at their desks as when they are at an activity table, you save money and space. While you’re at it, why not brighten up the classroom with different colors of tables?

Storage Units and Shelving

Make sure that you have enough storage units for students’ books and supplies. Cubby storage units are popular. You can get folding units, and keep cubby trays on one side and display projects on the other. If you use plastic cubby trays, make sure that you have a few extra.

You can use also use one of these storage units for books, toys, project displays, and anything else you choose. Book display stands are also available. Double-sided book display stands can help maximize space.

Coat Storage

Sectional coat lockers are a necessity no matter what kind of climate you are in. If younger children will be using a coat locker, be sure you get a tip-resistant one. It should have space for hats and galoshes as well. Some come with an attached bench where children can sit down to put on or take off galoshes.

Preschool Furniture

If you have preschool-age kids at your school, you probably have more use for tables than desks. School furniture retailers generally have a selection of tables, chairs, and storage units designed especially for little ones. You can also find play sets that let kids play house, as well as items that help them express their creativity, like art centers.

Out with the Old

Why not get rid of heavy, bulking things like file cabinets or items you purchased in the past that no longer get any use. Many teachers do not use the big desks we remember our teachers having. If you have a more flexible classroom set-up without a teacher’s desk, that frees up considerable space for teachers to arrange and manage the classroom as they prefer.

There are many organizations that will take used classroom furniture and donate them to schools in other parts of the country or around the world that need them. Many companies that sell school furniture and supplies partner with these organizations to donate used desks and other supplies. If your items are not in good enough condition to be donated, make sure you recycle them. Again, furniture retailers can generally help you with that.

Preschool Furniture

If you have preschool-age kids at your school, you probably have more use for tables than desks. School furniture retailers generally have a selection of tables, chairs, and storage units designed especially for little ones. You can also find play sets that let kids play house, as well as items that help them express their creativity, like art centers.

Out with the Old

Why not get rid of heavy, bulking things like file cabinets or items you purchased in the past that no longer get any use. Many teachers do not use the big desks we remember our teachers having. If you have a more flexible classroom set-up without a teacher’s desk, that frees up considerable space for teachers to arrange and manage the classroom as they prefer.

There are many organizations that will take used classroom furniture and donate them to schools in other parts of the country or around the world that need them. Many companies that sell school furniture and supplies partner with these organizations to donate used desks and other supplies. If your items are not in good enough condition to be donated, make sure you recycle them. Again, furniture retailers can generally help you with that.