The Ultimate Classroom Setup Checklist for Elementary Teachers

Envisioning your first classroom setup is incredibly exciting! 😍

And can also be a tad overwhelming.

It’s easy to wonder where on earth to get started. 

Do you start by figuring out how to arrange all the desks? 

Or do you start with figuring out what should go on the walls? 

This classroom setup checklist will walk you through each step of the process so you can create an organized, functional, and welcoming classroom!

⭐️ And if you LOVE checking things off lists, the free checklist is linked at the end of this post! 

⏰ Before You Start

I know, I know, you’re ready to dig into those boxes and put your room together. 

But before you do, take 5-10 minutes to make a plan. 

(This will save you LOADS of time redoing things 50 million times!) 

Checklist

☐ Walk around your classroom.
This gives you a feel for the space. See how large or small it really is.

☐ Take pictures of your empty space.

☐ Think about where the big pieces of furniture will go.
Your teacher desk, the small group table, bookshelves, and other organizational items you have.

☐ Create a rough draft of your classroom layout.
I LOVE to use Canva for this – search “Seating Chart” to get yourself started!
Don’t forget to think about how students will move through your classroom once furniture is in place.
Leave space for walking around.

This is an example of something you can create using Canva!

☐ Make a list of any supplies you still need.
Looking around your room might make you realize you really need something to hold extra papers or student take-home folders, or an extra small bookshelf. 

Here is a pic I took at the start of this summer’s classroom makeover, so I could make a plan before beginning classroom setup!

🪑 Arrange Your Classroom Furniture

This is the bulk of your classroom setup. Finding the perfect spot for all of your furniture. 

Use your classroom layout sketch as your guide. 

I LOVE searching “classroom seating chart” on Canva to get me started with some basic furniture & desks! Then you can always use the elements feature to search for “rug” or other things you want to visually see laid out in your classroom sketch.

Then, start with the largest pieces of furniture first and build your classroom around those pieces. 

Here’s a list of pieces of furniture to consider adding to your classroom: 

Furniture Checklist

☐ Teacher Desk 

☐ Small Group Table

☐ Student Desks or Tables

☐ Classroom Library

☐ Reading Space (if you want one)

☐ Turn-in Bins

☐ Technology Station 

☐ Supply Storage

☐ Calm Down Corner (if you want one) 

Here are some classroom layout pictures to inspire this part of your classroom setup journey!! 

Left: A classroom library featuring the Retro Rodeo theme; Middle: A teacher corner decorated in the Hello, Pastel theme; Right: A view of a classroom decorated with Retro Rodeo classroom decor bundle. 

🗃️ Set Up Classroom Organization Systems 

Nothing will make you feel more overwhelmed than not being able to find your teacher desk underneath the massive stack of papers on a random Thursday in October. 

Trust me. 

An organized classroom makes your entire school year run smoothly. (And makes each day more enjoyable for everyone involved!!) 

Here’s a breakdown of different items you might want an organizational plan for. 

Checklist

☐ Teacher Toolbox
Great for binder clips, paper clips, pens, sticky notes, and those other small items that you’ll want handy.

☐ Student Supply Bins
Where will students keep their scissors, markers, and glue sticks?

☐ Paper Organization
Think copies for the week, sub plans, and more!

☐ Drawer Labels
So you aren’t asking, “Where do the dice go again?”

☐ Classroom Labels
ANYTHING that your students might need labeled to help them out during the year.

☐ Turn-In Trays
Have turn-in trays by day of the week or subject.

☐ Classroom Jobs
Where will students look for a reminder of what job they have? How will jobs change?

☐ Early Finisher Storage
A handy place students can easily access if they finish up a project sooner than others.

☐ Teacher Binders
Easily keep track of grades or reading scores so you know exactly where those data points are. 

Here are some different styles of Drawers with editable labels: 

Left: Simple + Blue; Middle: Retro Rodeo; Right: Hello, Pastel

Organizing goes beyond drawers & papers. 

Check out these other awesome organizational ideas! 

Left: Using editable labels for student book bins & cubbies as well as a teacher toolbox complete with labels. Both of these items are included in the Happy Hues bundle. 

Helpful tip: Label as much as possible NOW so students can become independent in your room from day one! 

📜 Hang Bulletin Boards

No classroom is complete without something on the wall! 

Create a mixture of subject-specific bulletin boards that help students work on skills and community-building displays. 

Here’s how to keep creating a bulletin board display simple. 

Checklist

☐ Choose a background
For either a DIY bulletin board on a wall OR to cover the back of your real bulletin board.

☐ Add bulletin board borders
This gives your display a finished look and ties everything together.

☐ Hang bulletin board letters
I ALWAYS recommend pre-hanging them with Washi tape BEFORE stapling anything in – that way you can make sure it all fits before you commit.

☐ Hang any other items
The cute little images that make the bulletin board pop!

☐ Stand back & enjoy your creation! 

Easy Bulletin Board Ideas

☐ Welcome to Our Classroom
Include each student’s name on this display to make everyone feel welcomed right away!

☐ Amazing Work Coming Soon Display
Teachers love to hang these in the hall outside their classroom so other students, teachers & families can easily see student work.

☐ Growth Mindset Board
Remind students they CAN do hard things!!

☐ Birthday Display
Start building connections from day one!

☐ Seasonal Bulletin Board
Start with something focused on “Falling into learning” that you can easily swap out once the next season comes along.

Left: Growth Mindset display from the Pastel Retro theme; Middle: Wow Work display from the Hello, Pastel bundle; Right: Happy Hues bulletin board letters.

🎉 Add Classroom Decor

NOW comes the moment you’ve been waiting for – let’s make your classroom LOOK amazing!! 

Adding bits of a printable classroom decor bundle into parts of your room creates a cohesive space that feels inviting, exciting, and welcoming. 

Here are some essential classroom decor items EVERY classroom can use! 

Checklist

☐ Alphabet Posters 

☐ Number Posters 

☐ Calendar Display

☐ Hand Signal Posters
So you can teach your students day 1 how to ask to go to the bathroom without interrupting your teaching.

☐ Growth Mindset Posters

☐ Inspirational Posters

Left: Calendar Display; Middle: Shapes posters & Place value posters; Right: Classroom Jobs display. All from the Hello, Pastel theme. 

Helpful Tip: Pick ONE classroom decor theme & use it throughout the room so everything feels unified and not chaotic.  

(Printable decor bundles make it easy to choose what you want and customize things perfectly for your classroom!) 

Browse through my decor bundles here. 

🖐️ Set Up Classroom Management Tools

A solid classroom setup checklist needs to include more than just furniture and decor. 

Part of figuring out how the year will go means knowing what routines you want to have in place before your students arrive. 

Here are some tools you can have set up BEFORE students walk in that will help make the first week of school much smoother. 

Checklist

☐ Schedule Cards
So students know when lunch is.

☐ Classroom Rules
So students can know the classroom expectations.

☐ Voice Level Chart
So everyone is on the same page when it comes to volume.

☐ Classroom Jobs
So students know they are a valuable part of this classroom family.

☐ Reward System
So students know you notice and celebrate their hard work.

☐ Morning Routine Visuals
So students know exactly what is expected of them when they walk in the door each morning.

Left: Hello, Pastel Hand Signal posters; Middle: Hello, Pastel Voice Level posters; Right: Modern Calm Colors Calm Corner display. 

These visual supports help students know exactly what’s expected from day one.

AND having the visuals means teaching the skills and expectations is MUCH easier. Because your students (and yourself) always have something to reference! 

✨ Add the Finishing Touches 

You are ALMOST there. 

Your students have places to sit, and you have a space to grade and work. 

There are places for papers, markers, and glue sticks to go when you aren’t using them. 

And there are EVEN things on the wall to welcome your students. 

Now, you get to add those special finishing touches that make your classroom a home. 

Here are some ideas for my favorite little things I love to add to classrooms to make them feel more like you. 

Checklist– Not Must-Haves but Fun Optional Additions!🩷

☐ Add a colorful rug

☐ Place a few faux (or real) plants around the room

☐ Grab colorful baskets for supplies

☐ Add soft lighting with lamps

☐ Find a fun chair for reading read-alouds

☐ Display positive quotes or affirmations (maybe even in frames!)

☐ Include some personal touches like family photos or your favorite sports team

Left: A rug to match the Hello, Pastel theme; Right: A corner of a classroom decorated with the Modern Calm Colors theme. 

Remember, the goal isn’t a Pinterest-worthy classroom. 

You’re going for a space that is organized, welcoming, functional, and feels like you. 

That’s a space your students will LOVE being in day after day. 

✅ Grab Your Free Printable Classroom Setup Checklist

Want to take this list with you to your classroom so you can actually reference it when you need it?? 

Click here to grab your FREE version so you can check things off as you go!  

And if this is your first EVER classroom, be sure to read this post so you don’t make the mistakes I did!