A Surprisingly Engaging Interior Design Shoebox Project
Do you ever find yourself wanting a project that carries itself and requires very little from you? I have just the project for you. This is one interior design project that still amazes me. Students need little front loading information to get started, I share a few examples, and then their creative work goes into overdrive.
Interior design lesson plans
To start the unit, we discuss housing needs and wants. This includes what is necessary for homes, apartments vs. homes, owning vs. renting, etc. We also spend time talking about elements and principles of design. I always try to include shorter YouTube videos as a visual resource. There is only so much they can learn from the notes, especially for the students who haven’t spent much time watching HGTV or other design types of shows, or who have family members who have a knack for decorating.
After learning about the parts of design needed, it makes more sense when going over the details for the project. I would say a strong majority are pumped and ready to go before the shoebox even arrives at school. Very few need much coaching on additional project ideas.
Interior design project supplies
One thing I enjoy about this project is that is requires a lot of supplies, but usually doesn’t require a lot of spending.
I ask for students to bring shoeboxes. I will also send an email out to building staff asking for shoeboxes as well. There is usually an Amazon box or two that needs to make it’s way in for the project, but overall, I haven’t had a shortage of shoeboxes.
This project needs everything on a tiny home scale. Think bottle cap lid for an ottoman.
I do allow students to email a Google Doc with pictures they want printed in color. It’s usually 10-15 students who will share a document to print. I expect them to size it in the Google Doc rather than just email since the email will print a gigantic version. Sometimes they might send flooring they prefer or the exterior of a house if they are completing a backyard space. Most of the time, it’s a few music or movie posters to size down tiny enough to look like wall art. I don’t mind printing these in color.
In the classroom, I have craft paint, popsicle sticks, scrapbook paper, fabric, Poly-fil, hot glue guns, buttons, etc. I also print flooring or brick background in black and white for students to color if they choose.
Students do not need to purchase anything for this project, but there are always a few who purchase or bring a few things from home. Sometimes they might have some doll house items or other tiny things at home. They have mentioned Hobby Lobby or Michael’s has some cute, little things for a fairy house as well.
Project timeline
This project usually takes a week and a half to complete. Class periods are 45 minutes on Monday and 49 minutes Tuesday-Friday. After students get the logistics on the project and begin, most will pick up their project before the tardy bell rings and begin working even before I get to attendance. It is rather impressive.
A downfall for this project, and truly this might be the only thing I can think of as a negative, is that my classroom is a d-i-a-s-t-e-r during the week and a half. I have a daily timer set and will give students 6 minutes to clean up at the end of class. I don’t write tardy passes during this project because I expect them to clean when it is time. Even checking supplies and the classroom, there are still boxes and supplies everywhere. In fact, there is still paint on the floor to clean up from last semester.
Why you need this project
This is my go-to end-of-semester project. It’s the perfect way to end the semester. It keeps students engaged, even through the last week of school. Say what?? I love a good movie day or two, but keeping students engaged in an actual project is priceless. Grades are never due until the day after school gets out, which means I will still allow a student to finish working on the project up to the day before the semester ends. Most finish by the week and a half deadline, but occasionally there are a few that need a couple more days.
I can think of very few things that have kept all students engaged at the end of the semester. This doesn’t require buying candy, streaming a movie, or involve losing your sanity. It’s a true win-win project.
The student ownership and excitement with the project is also another reason this project is at the top of my list. Students who didn’t even think they would like the unit or the course even find themselves concentrating hard on the project.
Count this as a win if you’re looking for something to fill your interior design unit!