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The school library is often the beating heart of the school providing a space for discussion, reading and study. That's why it's super important students have somewhere comfortable to sit whilst studying Modern school library furniture helps to create a learning environment that meets the needs of today's students to perform at their very best. Having a well-resourced library with comfortable seating for students helps to encourage innovation, problem solving and learning. To help create this perfect environment Footstools Direct offers space-saving library solutions and ready-made furniture to help learners, teachers and administrators.
School libraries are no longer the austere spaces of yesteryear. Today they are collaborative learning spaces whose function is to stimulate young minds. Forward thinking designers seek adaptable areas to accommodate different types of activity. Having a range of different cube seating options offers an appropriate backdrop for learning. Adaptability and flexibility are but two of the spatial benefits afforded to a modern school library employing cube seating furniture.
In this piece we seek to explore the advantages of flexible seating for libraries by adding cube seating to a school library. We have listened to the experiences of those who have already gone down this tried and tested route. By questioning modern school library ideas, we have received vivid visual representations and feedback on the positive impact of cube seating furniture.
What is Cube Seating?
Cube seating is a simple, modern and practical seating solution offering durability and comfort. It's an incredibly versatile and flexible solution that's perfect for all kinds of environments. The seating is designed to provide comfort and durability, making it the perfect furniture choice for schools. Soft internal foam padding provides learners with a comfortable seat for extended periods.. Our cube seating range is constructed to British Contract Furniture standards and materials conform to BS 5852. The faux leather upholstery we use is inherently anti-microbial too, reducing the risk of infection whilst our sturdy timber frames used in the construction of our cube seating ensures its longevity.
Thoughtfully designed seating arrangements foster collaborative spaces as a driver towards study and research. Plus with our cube seating’s versatility, you can create individual study areas in the morning and then rearrange them to suit group activities in the afternoon.
Benefits of Cube Seating in School Libraries
Cube seating in school libraries is endlessly transformative: - these versatile pieces can change a learning environment at a moment’s notice. For instance, teachers may need to arrange the seating with quiet reading in mind then later shift to clusters for an afternoon activity. Cube seating can be quickly and easily rearranged at a moments notice, making it the perfect flexible seating solution. The needs of students are best served with adaptations of furniture arrangement to reflect changing circumstances. In pre-school, nursery and primary school, smaller children feel safe and secure within well-constructed cube seating arrangements. This in turn, fosters their ability to learn. Older students may also benefit from smaller cube configurations fostering collaborative learning between groups of differing abilities.
Space Efficiency
Cubes are multifunctional in that they can be arranged as doubles, triples or quad bench shapes in linear configurations or diagonals. These arrangements can make best use of the available space, whilst providing stimulating aspects for learners, particularly when class size is an issue. When space is an issue, they can be grouped together or placed individually to suit whichever configuration you desire.This can help with easy access to and from libraries and ensuring efficient traffic flows when required too.
Engaging and Inviting
Colour is an essential feature of cube seating. A designer’s primary aim is to choose colours that reflect the library’s theme and to create an environment that students want to work in. With an available colour palette of more than 100 different shades, our cube seating collection is the perfect addition to any working environment. Research has shown that attractive colours create an inviting presence by fostering creativity, thought and debate.
Understanding the effect of colour allows educators to cultivate classrooms that cater to the diverse needs of their students. In the school library, the use of colour can create an environment that supports learning and development to influence behaviour, mood and cognitive performance.
Different colours evoke various psychological and emotional responses. For instance, while some colours can stimulate energy and alertness, others promote calmness and creativity.
How The Rainbow Colours Influence Learning
- Red and Orange for Alertness: Warm, vibrant colours are known to increase energy levels and stimulate the mind. They are excellent choices for areas where high activity and alertness are needed, such as group work zones or interactive learning stations.
- Yellow for Happiness and Positivity Yellow is a bright colour that can boost mood and positivity. It’s great for creating an inviting and uplifting atmosphere.
- Green for Concentration and Focus: Green is known to have a soothing effect, making it ideal for areas where concentration and calm are essential. It’s particularly beneficial in spaces dedicated to reading or quiet study, helping students maintain focus for longer periods.
- Blue, Indigo and Violet for Calm and Creativity: Blue tones are associated with tranquillity and can help reduce anxiety, fostering a conducive environment for creative activities. Blue furniture colours can enhance students' creative thinking and problem-solving abilities.
At the Heart of England School near Coventry our Rainbow Cube Seating Collection was selected to engage students in the library. They were encouraged to remember the ‘Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain’ mnemonic as a way of learning the colours of the rainbow. The collection was seen as a “fun addition” to the library and school administrator Raymond Richie commented that the cubes were ‘well received by teachers and pupils alike’.
Durability and Maintenance
When not in use, cube seating can be easily stacked away. Spillages and spills on the outer faux leather material are readily wiped away with the use of a damp cloth and/ or a mild disinfectant. Whilst the internal timber frames are resilient to the normal wear and tear of the school library and are constructed to last for many years. If the plastic glide feet become dislodged, then replacements are easily fixed in place by means of a Phillips screwdriver. Regular configuration changes will add to their life span and moving the cubes away from direct sunlight will avoid premature colour fading. All told, cube seating is a stress-free solution for library administrators and schools as a whole.
Conclusion
Cube seating in your school library enhances flexibility, maximises space efficiency, and creates an inviting environment for students.
By choosing appropriate colours, strategically placing the seating and selecting durable materials students are engaged in the principal function of any library – namely learning. We are interested to learn more from schools who have invested in cube seating for their library spaces and are always looking to foster best practice in modern school library design.
For those yet to experience the benefits of cube seating we recommend the examples of schools that have demonstrated improved student behaviour and successful practices through library design. By employing flexible seating arrangements, school libraries have encouraged collaborative learning and engaged learners in an atmosphere that meets the needs of modern students.
Those who have already engaged with us see the addition of cube seating within their own library as a valuable resource to their strategic learning outcomes. We welcome your enquiries for exploring cube seating options for your own library and look forward to hearing from you. Contact us today either via email info@footstoolsdirect.com or call us on 0113 276 0171 to discover what cube seating can do for you.
