Generations of well-meaning parents have sent their young students to their rooms to study. Today's young scholars, though, are cracking the books beyond their bedrooms. Not surprisingly, the kid's study space is evolving.

"Parents are setting up study spaces in separate home office spaces, in a corner of the kitchen, in the family room within an armoire, or in a guestroom," says Lisa Kanarek, author of Home Office Life: Making a Space to Work at Home ($35, Rockport) and the Dallas mother of two young sons.

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Kyle Weinstein uses the computer in the study space that his mom created off the family room in their Dallas home. Kyle's mom, Lisa Kanarek, is author of Home Office Life: Making a Space to Work at Home.

"In older homes, the formal living room is being converted into a home office or a family work center," she says. Another of her suggestions is to convert a wet bar into a U-shaped workspace (the storage space above and below makes this an especially attractive option).

If the bedroom still remains the best option for a student's study area, make sure it is as comfortable as possible.

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Kyle's mom, Lisa Kanarek, is author of Home Office Life: Making a Space to Work at Home.

"Children will enjoy their rooms more if they can sit comfortably at the table or desk, and when many of their possessions are at eye level or within easy reach," says Amy Fredericksen, a buyer with Pier 1 Kids. To that end, tuck fun bins, baskets and other organizational accessories around the desk to help organize their stuff and contain the clutter.

Other essentials for an in-bedroom set-up, says Ms. Kanarek: a comfortable, ergonomically correct chair and good task lighting to avoid eye strain.

Shelving and nearby storage nearby will also help tame the inevitable piles of paper. Beyond those basics, consider giving the study spot (whether it's a corner of the dining room or a desk tucked under the staircase) a dose of style and visual sizzle.

Don't forget to have fun with the space, says Stephen Saint-Onge, a New York City decorator and former host of TLC's While You Were Out: "You want the kids to look forward to going into this space to do their work. You want it to be fun."

His advice for an A+ study space: lots of color. Set four chairs painted in different vibrant shades around a table; add pen pots, picture frames and floor pillows in vivid hues. Anything that injects liveliness into a work area will make the atmosphere more appealing for your offspring, whether they're tots or teens.

Lisa Martin is an Arlington freelance writer.

Lisa Kanarek of Dallas, an organizational expert and author, suggests a few of her favorite Internet sources for study spaces:

Uncommongoods.com : great for lighting and quirky desktop gadgets.

Themut.com (which stands for The Museum of Useful Things): excellent organizational items with a modern twist.

CB2.com: Crate & Barrel’s younger, hipper sibling carries affordable furniture in great looks.