Why Teachers are Choosing Printable Decor Over In-Store Options

You’re looking for a way to transform your space with classroom decor. 

As a first-year teacher, I was just like you – wanting to add some flair and heart to my room. 

So, naturally, I went to a teacher supply store and started to look for a classroom decor theme. 

But, as I went through that first year of teaching, I realized in-store options for classroom decor have their limits. 

If you’re also feeling not “in love” with the options you are seeing in stores, let me show you why many teachers (and myself) have started using printable classroom decor options instead. 

1. Everything Matches 😍

One of the BEST benefits of printable classroom decor bundles is you are given SO many resources and they all match. 👏

Photo Credit: @colbyshae_ on Instagram 

Colby used the Modern Calm Colors decor bundle to give her classroom a warm, welcoming vibe. 

One of the toughest things about using in-store decor is having to find everything and piece everything together yourself.

You find a calendar kit you really like, but there are no nametags in the same style. 

Or, you find nametags you LOVE, but there is no birthday display. 

When I create a printable classroom decor bundle, I create as many resources as possible. That way teachers are able to use pieces that match perfectly to create a cohesive classroom theme in their rooms. 🙂

And the result when teachers use these themes to decorate their rooms? 🔥 STUNNING 🔥

Photo Credits: @han_uhh & @molding_little_minds on Instagram

Hannah decorated her classroom (picture on the left) with the Happy Hues bundle to bring bright pops of color into her room. 

Megan went for the earthy hues in the Simply Neutral bundle for a calming, grounded classroom. 

No matter which bundle catches your eye, using a printable option allows you to connect EVERYTHING in your classroom together. 

✨ As a bonus…my bundles recently got an upgrade and now include BULLETIN BORDERS. 

From left to right – Pastel Retro, Happy Hues & Modern Calm Colors 

So now you can even match the theme of your bulletin board with the rest of your classroom theme! 🥰

2. The Sky’s the Limit 

Many printable classroom decor bundles are editable. 

All of the classroom decor bundles I create allow you to customize most if not all of the resources provided. 

This allows you to create the resources you need for YOUR classroom. 

Here are some ways you might want to change up resources: 

– Change the Font (or Language)

If you are a primary teacher, you might have a primary font you use for everything. 

Something that helps your beginning readers decode posters, schedule cards, nametags, etc. easier. 

Photo credit: @cayla.weber on Instagram 

Cayla used the editable version of this Calm Color schedule cards to change up some of the fonts!

Either way, my printable classroom decor bundles come with editable files so you can change the font or text. 

You can also use the editable files to translate the resources into another language. 

When you sit down to translate the resources, you can either use the font embedded or change up the font if that works better for your language! 

– Creating Labels for Organization

Your classroom is filled with SO many supplies, resources, students, and belongings. 

Easily find what you are looking for by labeling your drawers / containers / bins!

Use the editable labels included in printable classroom decor to give everything a proper home in your classroom. 

Photo Credits: @colbyshae_ and @jordyneberger on Instagram

Edit the labels to specify the resources you actually have in your classroom. Use them to keep papers, handouts, and center work items under control. 

Keep your plastic bins organized and clear and add labels to quickly identify what you need!

Photo Credit @miss.c.teaches on Instagram

Help your students stay organized by using labels to show which hook belongs to which student number.  

Photo Credit @miss.collins.class on Instagram

You can make a label for anything and everything. Even your pencil buckets so students know EXACTLY where to put theirs. 😅

Photo Credit @missamycoyne on Instagram 

I LOVE seeing how teachers get creative with the labels included in the bundles. 

Miss Amy used them to create adorable beginning-of-the-year gifts for her students! 

– Customize the Posters

Most classroom decor bundles you can buy in teacher stores will have some sort of Rules poster. 

⭐️ The perk to printable options? You get to decide what your classroom rules are. 

Photo Credit @mrsdillons.class on Instagram 

Mrs. Josie used the editable posters to create her own rules posters in her classroom. This allowed her to use the phrasings she wanted to have to be a part of her classroom culture without sacrificing matching her decor. 

AND you can use the poster designs to create ANY additional poster you want for your classroom. 

These posters are included in the Tropical Vibes decor bundle and they are editable. So, you can change the words to have them say anything you need in your classroom! 

Photo Credit @craftingintheclassroom on Instagram

Miss M used the editable posters included in the Modern Calm Colors bundle to create several posters in her math wall collection. 

➡️ Rounding Rules posters (Climb the Vine and Do No More)

➡️ Even & Odd posters 

➡️ More Than & Less Than (way up at the top of the picture) 

The sky really is the limit when it comes to making editable printable classroom decor bundles your own! 

3. You Can ALWAYS Add One More

One of the hardest parts of using in-store classroom decor options? 

When you get that new student in the middle of the classroom and can’t find the same style of nametag to match everything else. 

Or you are staring at sets of 25 nametags for 28 students. 

From left to right: Pastel Retro & Simply Neutral nametags 

You can print the exact number you need. 

And your nametags will ALWAYS match. 🙌

4. Resources At Your Student’s Level 

Finally, a printable classroom decor bundle will often give you several options for the same resource. 

Especially when you are looking at alphabet posters. 

A 1st grade classroom and 5th grade classroom probably don’t need the same alphabet display options, so having options is super helpful! 

Photo Credit @krusesclass on Instagram 

This teacher chose a cursive style of alphabet posters with ASL included in the Modern Calm Colors theme. 

Photo Credit @craftingintheclassroom on Instagram 

Miss M also chose a Modern Calm Colors style, but she went with a primary font with lines to show how letters are formed. 

Photo Credit @creating.life.long.learners on Instagram 

This teacher also chose a Modern Calm Colors style, but went with the primary font with pictures option. 

A printable decor bundle will make your room beautiful and cohesive, and make your life easier having everything in one place.

As someone who has done it both ways, trust me. 

Printable decor bundles have radically changed how easy it can be to turn your classroom into a cohesive, welcoming space. 

Ready to join the crowd of teachers saying goodbye to teacher store decor? Check out all of the different printable decor themes I have here.