Classroom decor isn’t all for the kids. It’s for us, too. We spend 50+ hours a week in that room, and we deserve a space that actually feels like ours.
That’s why shabby chic classroom decor keeps winning me over. It’s warm, it’s calming, and somehow it makes the room feel homey for me AND focused for my students. Win-win.
I went hunting at Hobby Lobby (because of course I did) and pulled together 8 finds that pair perfectly with my Watercolor Shiplap Classroom Decor Bundle. Some of these have lived in my classroom for years. Others are still on my list. If you’re also a sucker for a craft store run, you’ll want to bookmark my must-have classroom finds from Michaels, too.
Disclaimer: I receive no compensation from Hobby Lobby for this post. I just love the place that much.
Decor trends come and go, but shabby chic has staying power for a reason. The neutral palette layers with anything, the textures feel calming instead of busy, and the whole vibe leaves room for student work to actually stand out on the walls.
It also doesn’t lock you into one season or theme. A shabby chic base lets you swap in fall pumpkins, winter pinecones, or spring florals without redoing the whole room. That’s a real teacher win.
Baskets and trays are the workhorse of any organized classroom. Use them to corral turn-in paperwork, sort small group materials, or hold whole-class supplies on shared tables. The wire and woven options at Hobby Lobby fit the shabby chic look without screaming farmhouse, and they hold up to a year of small hands. Pair them with my printable label templates so each basket has a clear job.
Chalkboard pieces had a moment, but they still work for shabby chic if you don’t go overboard. Use one as your main classroom calendar, or as your personal teacher schedule near your desk. If chalkboard isn’t your style, my printable calendar set is a softer option that coordinates with the rest of the bundle.
A few accent pieces in the corners of your bulletin boards add charm without taking over the space. Look for floral swags, simple greenery, or wood-look corner pieces. They keep your boards from looking like a flat block of paper. If you need bulletin board banners to go with them, my banner kit layers in nicely.
Your classroom door is the first thing visitors and your students see every morning, so it sets the tone for the whole room. A simple shabby chic wreath or wooden welcome sign tells everyone what kind of space they’re walking into. Bonus: it doesn’t have to change every season, which means one less project on your plate.
Something about plants just makes a space feel extra homey, don’t you think? These plants don’t need watering or sunshine, so if you’re anything like me it’s perfect. I cannot keep a real plant alive to save my life. Hobby Lobby carries small succulents, eucalyptus stems, and bigger statement plants, and they all hold up to a school year of bumps.
Table numbers make group rotations and small group instruction so much smoother, and they double as a decor accent. Hang them from the ceiling above each table for visual interest, or stand them on the tables themselves. If you’d rather print your own, my table numbers match the rest of the decor set.
Pillows are a quick win for flexible seating, calm-down corners, and library nooks. They give kids a chance to get comfortable while they read or work, and they soften up the look of the whole room. The cactus one is a personal favorite. Just have a plan for washing them at least once a quarter, because they will get grimy.
Tie the whole theme together with a few small accent pieces on your desk, your shelves, or your reading nook. I especially love the cactus light. Little touches like these are what take a classroom from “decorated” to “intentional,” and they’re usually the cheapest pieces in your cart.
The Hobby Lobby pieces give you texture and dimension. The printables give you everything that needs to be functional and labeled, like calendars, banners, table numbers, labels, and posters. Together, they create a room that looks pulled together without you spending your whole summer crafting.
If you want everything matched and ready to print, Farmhouse Bundle is the easiest way to do it. One download, one trip to the laminator, done.
Always search for a Hobby Lobby coupon before you check out, in store or online. They almost always have a 40% off one regular-price item coupon floating around, and it stacks with their weekly sales. Head to the Hobby Lobby website to browse the pieces above, and check their app for the latest coupon. A teacher budget deserves every discount it can get.
Shabby chic classroom decor doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. A handful of thoughtful pieces from Hobby Lobby, paired with coordinating printables, and you’ve got a room that actually feels like yours.
If you want the matching labels, banners, calendar, and table numbers to pull it all together, my Farmhouse Bundle has everything ready to print and hang. Grab it once, use it all year, and your back-to-school setup is basically done.
Not feeling shabby chic? Take a look at my other trendy classroom decor themes before you commit, and check out my Lego classroom decor if you want something bolder. And if all this decor talk is making your wallet nervous, my honest take on how much classroom decor is too much might be a good read first!
