25 Preschool Lobby Decorating Ideas (And Best Paint Colors)

Picture this: It’s the first day of preschool, and the children walk into their new classroom for the first time. They are nervous but excited.

Walking down the hall, they see colorful murals and paintings on the wall. The classrooms have big windows and are filled with light. Everything is new and fresh, and they can’t wait to explore. This is the power of great design in a preschool lobby.

First impressions matter and you want that every child who attends the school get positive vibes. So, as a principal, teacher, or school staff what can you do to make your elementary school lobby look amazing?

Here in this post, I will discuss with you some great ideas and tips related to lobby designs (with pictures), how to decorate the space, and choosing the best paint colors that radiate positive energy and happiness for children.

Preparation for Preschool Lobby

Before we get into decorating tips and ideas, let’s start with some basic tips that are important to complete for the success of your overall idea:

• Make sure the lobby is clean and clutter-free. This is especially important if you have a lot of visitors coming in and out of the lobby.
• Choose the right color scheme that’s cheerful and inviting. Avoid using dark colors or shades that are too bright.
• Hang artwork at eye level. Whatever artwork you choose, placing it in the right location will make it easier for the children to see and enjoy.
• Add some greenery. Plants add life to a space and can help to improve air quality for kids.
• Keep the furniture child-sized and fun-filled. This will make the children comfortable and less likely that they will hurt themselves.

Elementary School Lobby Decorating Ideas

When you are redecorating for a new back-to-school season, keep in mind the FUNdamental skills and learning experiences that can be included for kids.

There are numerous strategies to freshen up your childcare or child education center, but I have gathered some of my favorites. Pick the ones that work best for your school grade and the kids.

1- Animal Dog Cat Cards 

If you operate a daycare or a school for toddlers, customizing your space with some artwork is an excellent way to personalize it.

The animal cards (of dogs, cats, cows, foxes, dinosaurs, etc.) or wall murals are a great way to teach the kids about different animals, their sounds, and their colors.

2- Aquatic Animals and Fishes

Along with land animals, create an underwater scene in your lobby using blue paint and hanging sea creature cutouts.

Pick the animal posters like fish, frogs, dolphins, crocodiles, etc.) and make sure there are names on the pictures so that kids can learn while having fun. You can also incorporate a reading nook here with beanbags or floor cushions. 

3- Movable Alphabet Letters

Adding a wall mural with alphabets is another excellent idea for a preschool lobby or daycare decoration.

Not only as a wall hanging, but you can keep the ABC photos or the letters movable for fun learning, so the children can rearrange them to make new words.

4- Learning Flowers 

With a little bit of creativity, you can take your lobby to a whole new level by adding some pictures of flowers like roses, lilies, lotus, etc.

Not only will the kids learn the names of different flowers and their colors, but this can easily become a fun matching game for the kids as they try to find the corresponding letter for each flower.

5- Green Plants

Along with different flowers, getting knowledge of various plant species is also important for small kids. 

Go for a big plant like a palm tree or a small one like a money plant to brighten up your space. For bigger ones, put up some photos, and for smaller ones, try to put them live in the classroom or the lobby.

This will also teach the kids about taking care of different plants and how important they are for our environment.

6- Classroom Rules

Following the rules and maintaining discipline are the most important things for any classroom. 

You can add some fun by putting up photos or illustrations to go along with each rule. Also, you can make learning memorable by adding some small silly jokes alongside.

7- World Map

A world map is a great way to teach kids about different countries, their capitals, and various landmarks. 

You could hang a large world map on the wall or create your own interactive world map game board. Use pieces of construction paper to make continents and add various flags, animals, or other symbols that represent each country.

You can even use it to teach kids about different cultures and how people live in different parts of the world.

8- Solar System

Turning your lobby area into an outer space-themed area is a great way to teach kids about our solar system (sun, moon, stars, and various other planets) while they have fun.

You can either put up posters or create your own artwork to decorate the space. You can also add in some interactive activities like a scavenger hunt or an outer-space mural wall where kids can design their own planetary system.

To really set the mood, you could even use some LED lighting and projectors to bring certain elements of the theme to life.

9- Weather Chart

This will teach kids about the various seasons and the different weather conditions associated with each season. 

With these charts in the classroom, children can also understand why we need to dress differently in different seasons. And also learn how to relate the weather conditions to our daily activities.

10-  Healthy Fruits and Veggies

Fruits and vegetables play an important role in every kid’s life. So, it’s a fantastic idea to include them while decorating the lobby or any other space in a preschool.

Different pictures of fruits and vegetables of various colors, shapes, and sizes along with their nutrition facts help to teach kids about healthy food choices they should make.

You can even create a fun game to know them the dangers of consuming too much fast food and how adding different veggies to their fast food can be healthier.

11- The Number Line

This is an excellent method to teach children about numbers and counting at a very young age.

It can also be used to teach simple addition and subtraction. Make sure the numbers are big enough so that kids can easily see and read them.

12- The Calendar

A calendar helps keep track of the days, weeks, and months. 

So, it’s a great way to teach kids about the different names of days, weeks, and months along with the various holidays associated with each of them.

13- The Clock

A clock is an essential part of every preschool lobby to teach kids about time and how to tell time.

By adding a big size clock in the lobby area, you can make the kids learn about time (hours, minutes, and seconds) in a fun way.

14- The World Clock

This is yet another great way to teach kids about different time zones and how people live their lives in different parts of the world. 

It also helps teach kids about the various cultures and how people in different parts of the world celebrate different festivals at different times of the year.

15- Shapes All Around 

Small kids should have an idea of a square, rectangle, triangle, circle, etc. So, try to include different shapes while decorating your lobby. 

You can even use them to teach kids about each shape’s different properties, which will help them later in higher grades.

16- Santa, Gnomes, and Cartoons

Santa, gnomes, and cartoons like tom and jerry are always a favorite among small children. 

Why not use them to decorate your lobby and make it more fun and inviting for the kids?

17- Jungle Theme

You may also create a jungle-themed lobby if you want to make your children’s area more interesting and exciting. 

This is an excellent approach to introducing young people to species of animals and their habitats. 

You may even utilize it to educate youngsters about the importance of preservation in our natural world and the many ways we can help.

18- Rainbow and 7 Colors

A rainbow is an amazing tool for helping kids explore the world of color. Introduce them to a variety of hues and show them how different combinations can evoke certain emotions.

They’ll also learn about using colors to create fun effects – like stripes, shapes & more by getting ready for some colorful discoveries.

19- Pizza and Burger time

I am sure every kid just loves pizza and burgers. This theme can be used to teach kids about healthy eating habits and also how to make their own pizzas and burgers at home in a healthier way. 

Teachers could explain the pros and cons of fast food and how it can be made healthier with some easy tips.

20- Dr. Seuss Theme

Theodor Seuss Geisel ( Dr. Seuss) was an American children’s author and cartoonist.

So, this can be a theme for preschool and kindergarten classrooms which can be used to teach kids about rhyming, rhythm, and alliteration. You can also use it to teach kids about different characters and their unique quirks.

21- Famous Stories and Nursery Rhymes

Famous stories and nursery rhymes are a way to teach kids about different genres of literature, the importance of reading, and how to enjoy different types of books. 

This theme can also be used to make the kids knowledgeable about different characters and their unique traits.

22- Butterfly Life Cycle

Introduce your kids to the fascinating journey of a butterfly’s life. From an egg, it transforms into a caterpillar with legs for crawling and munches away on leaves. Then comes the chrysalis stage where its body undergoes incredible changes before emerging from its cocoon as a beautiful winged creature – ready to flutter around in search of sweet nectar.

What’s more? It also teaches them the importance of taking care of our environment so these lovely creatures may continue their metamorphosis forever.

23- Tic-tac-toe and Other Games

Cooperative learning is an engaging instructional method that encourages children to work together towards a common goal. It’s the perfect way for kids to learn essential skills such as communication, collaboration, and sportsmanship.

Learning in small groups also allows them to explore different strategies that could help them win any game they play while also teaching them how to be respectful losers if their team doesn’t succeed.

24- Markets, Money & Finance

Wallpapers related to money and the market are a smart way to decorate childcare centers as they impart some essential life skills and knowledge to children while they are in their early developmental years. 

This is an excellent approach to teaching youngsters about different aspects of the economy, such as supply and demand, inflation, and recession. It can also be helpful for kids to know about different careers in the financial sector.

25- Cars, Vans, Trucks, and Tractors

Preschool walls and colors are incomplete without the addition of some modern vehicles. 

Make your kids learn the importance of road safety with this theme. You can also use it to teach kids about different types of vehicles and their functions. This will help them understand the world around them a little better.

Best Colors for Learning in a Preschool Classroom 

Modern-day classrooms for small kids and toddlers are no longer dull and boring, and they should not be for any reason. 

A little color can go a long way in making the space more inviting and engaging. In fact, it has been proved by science that incorporating the right colors can have a significant impact on a person’s mood and behavior.

It’s a powerful communication tool for kids as well as elders that can leave a strong psychological message. So, it is also important to choose the right colors for your preschool classroom.

The following are some of the best paint colors that can be incorporated into a preschool classroom:

1. Different Shades of Blue

Blue is known to be the best calming and serene color. So, it is often used in schools and classrooms to promote creativity, concentration, and focus. 

The different shades of blue when added creatively can help boost productivity along with memory power in toddlers.

2. Different Shades of Green

The colors green and blue have been linked to positive effects on mental health, such as providing students with stress relief and promoting concentration.

When paired with earth tones and organic accents, these colors can create a very calming learning environment.

Certain tones of greens are also known to be too much refreshing and relaxing. So, it’s important to check the specific hue you choose, especially when painting the accent walls in your classroom or a library.

3. Bright Red and Orange Shades

Red is a color that represents love and holidays such as Valentine’s and Christmas. It’s also connected to death and blood.

When used creatively, even in small amounts, this color may boost performance and foster creativity in children by acting as a stimulant.

But be mindful, the color red should not be used excessively in any single location. A single painted wall may be acceptable, but a whole class full of crimson might have the opposite impact on your pupils.

The color orange in the family, on the other hand, stimulates feelings of energy and enthusiasm by calling to mind images of heat and activity.

While having splashes of color on school furniture and walls may be overbearing, using them as accents in the classroom might be a positive feature.

4. Yellow and Neon

Yellow, like all the other colors in this hue family, has the ability to lower anxiety and depression by releasing serotonin in the brain. This is the same neurotransmitter that is released when you exercise. 

Furthermore, various shades of yellow may help children to be more aware of their surroundings and workstation.

Neon yellow, for example, is a hue that some students find appealing but others may not. Because neon yellow is so bright, it can have the exact opposite of the desired effect on children. 

Rather than covering every wall in neon yellow, this hue might be incorporated into classroom décor instead.

5- Classic Off-White Hues

For a long time, white walls in classrooms have made students feel as though they are imprisoned. This is because the color creates a sterile feeling, like being in a hospital.

However, warmer hues of white paired with other earth tones have been shown to create a calming effect on students and promote clear thought within schools and the classroom.

Off-white is also a good color for classrooms because it makes the room appear larger and brighter. So, make sure to include them generously, especially if you have a smaller classroom with fewer kids.

The Bottom Line

Choosing the right colors for your preschool lobby and classroom is important to create a calm and productive learning environment. 

The best colors for learning are different shades of blue, green, and white. These have been linked to positive effects on mental health and can promote concentration and creativity in children.

When painting the walls in your classroom, don’t forget to add splashes of color with furniture and décor to make the space more exciting for your little students who are just starting their new journey.