Are you dreaming of a calming, nature-inspired colour scheme in your classroom? This minimalist nature themed classroom design is just the ticket!
If you're tired of overly bright colours and feel like you need a bit more white space and zen this school year, you'll love these minimalist designs!
They feature subdued colour schemes, so lots of white, earthy tones, and pale shades of green, blue, or pink. You'll also see natural elements, like leaves, botanicals, live plants, branches, real wood, woven elements, and handmade pieces. These elements create a warm, inviting space that feels instantly relaxing and grounding.
In conventional elementary classrooms, this is the closest you can get to making your classroom feel like you're outdoors. Since being in nature has so many benefits, especially for students with ADHD, this natural approach may actually enhance your students' learning experience!
With so many teachers burning out and leaving the profession, finding ways to make your classroom work for you is essential. Less really is more, and the minimalist approach focuses on what you need, not what you want, so that you can eliminate clutter and distractions.
It's so much more peaceful walking into an organised, calm classroom than dealing with clutter and chaos!
Whilst I hope that this post provides some eucalyptus inspiration for you, before you go any further, I recommend reading my article: To Decorate or Not to Decorate. I sum up all the lessons I've learnt over the years in regards to setting up a classroom (Spoiler Alert: I haven't always gotten it right!) and tackle the debate surrounding classroom decorating! So, before you decorate your classroom, take a moment to learn about the pros and cons of decorating your classroom. You'll be able to choose which resources really matter so you can minimise clutter and support your students' learning.
14 Relaxing Minimalist Nature Themed Classroom Ideas
Ready to design a beautiful learning space that will instantly calm your class? In this post, I'll share my favourite resources for setting up a minimalist look in your own classroom using items from my Eucalyptus classroom theme and hand-picked classroom decor.
Start by printing out a free nature-themed welcome sign to greet your students daily. This will tie into the other elements and is perfect for the first weeks of school!
1. Eucalyptus Bulletin Boards
This classroom design is perfect for the minimalist teacher! There's much less visual clutter, and the white-on-white details make your room feel larger and more open.
This eucalyptus-themed bulletin board border keeps that nature theme alive while adding subtle detail. Plus, it's free!
2. Natural Clock Numbers
Notice that macrame plant holder in the window? Several great things are happening here! You've got the natural texture of the macrame, the live plant, and the open windows streaming in natural light.
These eucalyptus clock numbers help young kids tell time on an analog clock, and this minimalist design blends in perfectly.
3. Fake or Live Plants
Although it'd be amazing to fill your classroom with live plants, that can be a lot of work! I like incorporating imitation plants in a neutral colour palette for a little visual texture. Those calming green shades work whether the plant is real or not!
Get this free First Day of Kindy sign here!
4. Cozy Calming Corner
Having a space where your students can calm down when they feel stressed out is so important! This calming corner has throw pillows that echo the natural colors around the room, flexible seating, and natural textures.
These calming strategy signs come in pale turquoise to fit perfectly with your design.
5. Minimalist Reading Corner
Make your reading nook nice and cosy with comfy seating and minimalist classroom walls! I've styled this corner with fake plants and pillows to help students focus more on reading, not all the stuff on the walls.
Design your nature theme reading corner with these free eucalyptus reading corner posters!
6. Eucalyptus Numbers with Ten Frames
This modified version of a number line is so helpful! Since it includes a visual representation of that number using ten frames, they support your students' number sense.
Get these nature-themed number posters here.
7. Minimalist Table Numbers
Every classroom teacher needs a variety of labels to organise their classrooms, whether they're sticking labels on book bins or adding numbers to their table groups.
These customisable labels are an easy way to make any numbers or labels you need in your classroom, and you can easily choose a pink or sage green colour.
8. Minimalist Side Tables
Aren't these side tables the best? I love the balance of warm wood tones with white for modern boho vibes. They're also the perfect height and have a lip to contain spills!
They're the ideal place to hold any manipulatives or tools students often use without having to chase (as many) pieces around the room.
While these specific tables may not be available near you, these ones on Amazon are a close match, and have great basket storage underneath too!
9. Class Royalty Signs
Notice that hanging planter in the top corner? You can use hanging plants to frame your signs and displays for a natural, organic feel. These free class royalty signs are available here. You can learn more about my preferred system for classroom helpers here.
Also, notice the empty wall space! Although some of my other classroom designs have more on the walls, this eucalyptus theme fits a minimalist approach.
This also leaves plenty of room to hang anchor charts, your students' work, or other materials as the year progresses. Remember, you want to co-create your classroom design with your students!
10. Eucalyptus Number Line
This subtle number line is easy to see yet blends naturally with the white walls. It also makes a lovely border that will help your student learn number order.
11. Natural Alphabet Posters
Letter identification is a big part of the early primary grades, and that means you need the alphabet around the room!
These eucalyptus alphabet posters are the perfect solution. They stand out without being too busy, and they're designed with developmentally appropriate fonts, too.
I also have these smaller alphabet cards, which you could use to make a word wall or decorate your bulletin boards!
12. Minimalist Calendar Station
Ditch the bright colours with this nature-themed calendar station! It's interactive, and your students can help you run the calendar and weather reports every day!
You can also create a matching visual timetable to help your students keep track of the day.
13. Nature Inspired Classroom Birthday Display
Your students will love seeing their names on your birthday wall! This nature-inspired display allows you to celebrate their special days in style.
14. Mindful Breathing Signs
Like the calming strategies above, these mindful breathing signs are a great way to help your students learn how to regulate their breath and emotions. Their colourful pictures and kid-friendly explanations are the ideal way to add mindfulness to your learning environment!
If you're a new teacher or need a total classroom makeover, you can get all of my eucalyptus-themed materials in a bundle! This budget-friendly design includes 17 products, many of which you can customise to make the minimalist classroom of your dreams!
If you really want to take a load off your plate this year, join The Hive! It's an all-in-one digital teacher planner to help you organise your day, learning materials, and more.
It even includes tons of exclusive resources, slide decks, learning videos, mindful moments, and more to support your students all year long.
It's the perfect way to spread the minimalist theme to every part of your workday!
