A-plus ideas for creating a smart study space

In a matter of weeks, or even days, it will be time for kids to head back to school. Each year, the homework takes a little longer, and each subject gets a lot more challenging.

You can help your child stay ahead of the game by creating an ideal workspace.

Mary Susan Bicicchi, a LaGrange interior designer, explains that there is no cookie-cutter solution to children's study areas.

"Some families like their children to be in the room when they study, others like them nearby so they can assist when needed," she said.

Recently, Bicicchi has seen a rise in popularity of "family communication centers" -- a common place to put a computer, printer, bulletin board for reminders and study tables or desks.

"If it is in the budget, shelves for books and trophies as well as cabinet doors to hide things are very desirable," she said.

As more children use their own computers, desks should have ample space for monitors, cords and speakers. "With laptops you can get away with a smaller desk top … but I prefer to give children a larger writing surface when possible," Bicicchi said.

For extremely small rooms, be sure to use vertical space as much as possible. Or, Bicicchi suggests, take a 6-foot closet space and build in a desk.

"With ample lighting, you can close the doors to hide any mess and everything is at your fingertips," she said. "I recently designed one of these for my dad and he calls it 'the submarine' … because every inch of space is used and easily accessible. He used to be spread out all over his office."

Clueless about what color scheme to choose? Bicicchi recommends timeless basics that you and your children won't tire of easily.

Though many younger girls seem to be attracted to citrus colors like lime, orange and yellow, Bicicchi advocates black and white with a pop of color as a "great timeless combo." Buy folders, bins and picture frames in brighter accent colors.

Brown and black work well for boys 12 and up. "It is a great backdrop to all of the memorabilia kids eventually collect," she said.