Image: Clair Strong Interior Design

The summer holidays are coming to an end and while most parents are thinking about school uniforms and stationery supplies, I’m (unsurprisingly) thinking about interior design. More specifically, I’m thinking about the ways in which you can incorporate vintage schoolroom charm into the home. Not just in the kid’s rooms but throughout the entire house. If you enjoy the nostalgia of old scientific posters, weathered books and dusty chalkboards read on…

Vintage Classroom Chairs

The wooden stacking chairs of 1950s and 60s classrooms are practically iconic now. They had a great industrial look, were comfortable to sit on and stored away nicely. No wonder they’re so popular in homes and commercial spaces now, making excellent dining and office chairs.

Scientific Posters

Detailed star maps, old anatomy posters and illustrative botanical charts make for seriously stylish and educational wall art. Charts similar to the one pictured above can be bought on sites like Etsy and Rockett St George. You can also download thousands of free historical and scientific images from the British Library’s Flickr account.

Corkboard Wall

A few years ago, chalkboard walls were all the rage. Now it seems corkboard has taken over. You’ve probably seen entire walls clad in cork all over Pinterest, but I like a more subtle approach (like above). This is a great look in offices, kid’s rooms and even kitchens.

School Storage

Fed up with the gathering collection of coats and shoes in your hallway? Buy a set of metal lockers and assign each family member their own! I’m only semi-joking here… vintage lockers have been popular ever since the industrial trend took hold 10 years ago. They add an interesting dynamic to modern spaces but if metal isn’t really your thing, wooden pigeonholes stuffed with books and curios are a great alternative.