11 essentials to create a study zone at home for children and teens in UAE, for 2023

"Comfort for children is important - make sure the corner is not overly stimulating and supports concentration. Younger students usually benefit more from a flexible seating plan. For instance, you could add bean bags for reading areas, aside from chairs. This will encourage them to spend time studying out of bed, as students shouldn't work where they sleep," said Blakemore.

Parents could get furniture in natural shades to reduce distraction. If you're considering popular standing desks for improved productivity, Blakemore recommends them for older students, who might stay up late for revision. Digital tools, such as tablets and laptops, are ultimately optional for learning, when students can take advantage of smart notebooks and magic whiteboards.

Check out our curated list of items you could consider for your home’s study nook below, during Amazon's Back to School sale. Buy these items with Amazon Prime and get them delivered to you as early as today or tomorrow!

1. Best Smart Speaker: Echo Dot (5th Generation) with Clock

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Cons

A clock is a good idea for any study space. But what if the clock didn’t just set alarms, but also answered questions and helped your child with any homework? The 5th generation of Echo Dot is a smart speaker with Alexa, which can respond in both English and Arabic. You can even use the speaker as an intercom from another part of the house, letting your child know it’s time to take a break and have lunch. If you have smart home devices installed in the room, the Dot can be used to switch on lights and turn down the thermostat. Arabic-speaking reviewers say Alexa's accent is clear and easy to understand.

2. Best Standing Desk: Flexispot E1 Height-Adjustable Electric Standing Desk

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Older teens are most likely eyeing the latest trend in workspaces - electric standing desks. When cranking out lengthy submissions and pulling an all-nighter call for a change, students can lift the Flexispot E1 desk all the way to 121cm and stretch their legs. This durable piece of furniture withstands desktop weight of up to 70kgs and comes with a backpack hook and a cable tray. You can programme four height presets to quickly get back to work, whether on your feet or seated. Reviewers attest to the smooth electric movement and quiet operation of the desk. They also add how much the flexibility has helped with their back and neck strain. 

Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh89.58 for 12 months with select banks. Add free assembly service.

3. Best Chalkboard Paint: Rustoleum Black Chalkboard Paint, 1 Quart

Our education expert recommends chalkboard paint to turn any space into a scribble board. Rustoleum's chalkboard paint goes onto wood, metal, glass, concrete and more, and holds up to repeated chalk writing. All you need is soap and water to clean up yesterday's rough draft and start anew. Reviewers have painted entire walls and doors in the kids' bedroom to be used as a blackboard. "It's a great way to expand the learning space, letting young students draw and share their ideas freely," said Blakemore. Magic whiteboards work quite the same way, except these reusable static sheets are less invasive and more child-friendly. You can add a 25-sheet roll to the cart here.

4. Best Headphones for Kids: JBL Kids On-Ear Headphones

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Cons

Designed for children, this comfortable headset has a built-in microphone that your child can use to talk to team members when working on group projects. Lightweight and portable, the headphones can be used for fun, too – just hook them up to a tablet via the cable and let your child play games or watch their favourite shows. Equipped with an anti-tangling cable, and a volume setting that never exceeds 85 decibels, they're safe and ideal for kids. Plus, the padded headband and cushioned ear cans are made to fit on small heads. Children can even personalise their headphones with reusable stickers that come in the box. Mums and dads in the reviews approve of the pair for schoolwork. See more options for children's headphones here.

Warranty: The manufacturer offers a one-year warranty. Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh12 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh19.

5. Best Stationery Organiser: Vitviti Acrylic Desk Organiser

Help your child stay organised, with this acrylic desk organiser for stationery. Multiple slots fit anything, from A4-sized books to sticky notes, and a sliding drawer at the bottom holds pens, markers and paper clips. Blakemore says that a clear space yields a clear mind, and storing school supplies in open organisers allow children to see what they have to potentially spark ideas. For students who sketch diagrams often, this rotating art caddy is also a great addition to the desk, and it's composed of nine removable bins to fit scissors, markers, staplers and more.

6. Best WiFi Range Extender: TP-Link AX1800 WiFi 6 Extender (RE605X)

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A single router may not be enough for your whole home – it can have limited WiFi coverage and cause dead zones around the house. This can be difficult to deal with when your child is in the middle of a research report or has to upload their project online. With TP-Link WiFi 6 extender, enjoy a strong signal that doesn’t arbitrarily disconnect, even while it supports up to 30 devices at once. The network runs at optimal speed by choosing the fastest connection path to the router, boasting speeds of up to 1.8 Gbps. It’s easy to set up and manage via the app! Reviewers have extended their range into the backyard and the patio, with full bars. Find more WiFi repeaters here.

7. Best Bean Bag: Leffeh Lounger Bean Bag, XL

Invest in flexible seating by moving away from the traditional desk and chair setup, says Blakemore. "Younger children may struggle to sit at a desk and chair, if they've done the same at school," he explained. A fun alternative is adding cosy bean bags, like this Leffeh Lounger that's made of faux leather, to create a reading nook for revision. It can be wiped clean in case of spills. Reviewers mention how lightweight and comfortable the bean bag is, and that it's large enough for children to nap in, too.

8. Best Tablet Stand: UGREEN Metal iPad Stand

If your child revises through online lectures, and uses a tablet for the purpose, a sturdy aluminium stand will allow him/her to be hands-free for the duration. The UGREEN tablet holder fits any 4.7- to 12.9-inch display device – from the iPad Air to the Galaxy Tab – and also works with smartphones. Its holder tilts 180 degrees and the arm folds up to 270 degrees, allowing for multi-angle viewing. It’s simple, ergonomic and doesn’t take up much space on the desk – perfect for any study nook. If you're looking to upgrade from an old school tablet, find our best picks here.

Bonus: Get 20 per cent off when you apply a coupon.

9. Best Monitor Riser: AboveTEK 2-Tier Acrylic Monitor Stand

Your teen's study monitor or laptop will be the focal point of their nook. If they use a separate keyboard and a mouse, this acrylic monitor stand tucks everything away. Slide the peripherals under the two-tier stand, while the display screen stays at a comfortable eye level. Go-to notepads and headphones can be stored on the shelf space, where they'll always be within reach. Pair this with a desk lamp from our list below, and you're nearly halfway through with your setup. On the lookout for a reliable student laptop? See our list.

10. Best Power Strip: LENCENT Extension Lead

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Today’s teens need a place to charge their many gadgets to ensure they’re always connected. This power extension cord has smart charging technology that auto-detects connected devices and reaches fast-charging efficiency without the need for converters. The strip powers eight devices in one go, and has three USB-A ports, four AC outlets and even a type C port. Its three-metre cable means it can extend right from the power outlet to under the desk, even if it’s far away. Check out other power adapters here.

11. Best Desk Lamp: Mactab Smart LED Desk Lamp

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Cons

Whether it’s for homework or for a reading assignment, a desk lamp is essential to a teen student working into the late hours of the night. This minimalistic desk lamp is foldable and dimmable, and has seven brightness levels. Its built-in light sensor adjusts the lamp’s brightness according to the light in the room. It also has an intelligent touch control system, with a USB port charger that allows you to charge your phone by connecting it right to the lamp!

Warranty: The manufacturer offers one-year warranty.

Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.