You want your classroom to be a colorful, cozy, and inviting learning space. 

You’d love to have a cohesive theme or at least a color scheme, so everything looks put together. 

But are themes childish? 

Aren’t middle schoolers too old for classroom decor?

My answer to that is a big, fat NO!

In fact, I don’t even believe high schoolers are too old. 

There is nothing wrong with decorating so that you have a comfortable, attractive space, and there is nothing wrong with that decor having a theme.

A classroom theme is nothing more than decorations that go together. What’s immature about that?

It’s all in how you execute the theme.

Here are seven different ideas for classroom decor themes that are totally appropriate for older students.

Coffee Shop

A coffee shop or cafe themed classroom has been a super popular idea for the past few years. And with good reason! People tend to hang out in cozy coffee shops or cafes and work independently or collaborate with a group. Just the very activities you’re hoping for in a classroom that’s on-task.

Setting up a coffee shop environment for your classroom creates a vibe that’s comforting, trendy, and productive.

Alice in Wonderland

Do you want your classroom to be a magical place where anything can happen? 

While at first the idea of characters might seem childish, think of how a vintage Wonderland motif might bring a twist to this theme that makes it fresh and more mature. 

Floral

A floral classroom theme might initially sound overly feminine, it doesn’t have to be! 

Even if it is a little feminine, think of it this way: ultimately you have to decorate your classroom for you. You’re the one spending 8 hours in there every day. The students are only there for one hour. 

No matter how you choose to decorate or not decorate, some students will love it and some will hate it. You can’t please everyone (take it from me, I tried when I first started teaching, and my feelings were always so hurt when someone made a snide comment about the decorations I worked so hard on). 

So maybe go with a classroom theme that you enjoy seeing every day. 

And if you’re worried about being overly girly, consider a floral like these red poppies that “pop” off fun black and white patterns. 

Calm Nature

When I surveyed teachers and asked what kind of classroom decor they’d most like to have, many said something calming.

I agree that a calm classroom is a happy classroom. And to me, nothing feels calm like cool colors, soft watercolor style, and nature motifs. 

Plants are such a big trend right now, and it’s easy to find accents with nature vibes everywhere. 

Retro Brights

Bright colors are a classic classroom theme. They’re vibrant and happy. You really can’t go wrong here. 

But because I hate feeling like I’m just like everyone else, I try to put a variation on things. 

So how about a bright classroom, but with a color palette that feels retro, and maybe some accents that are a little industrial like metals and distressed wood? 

This little twist would also make the bright colors feel more secondary and less elementary.

Succulents

Hand-in-hand with a calm nature theme would be a focus on succulents paired with fun patterns. 

Pepper your classroom with little cacti and happy plants that feel full of life and joy. 

I know we’ve all seen the cactus “we stick together” bulletin boards, but you don’t have to make it cheesy like that if cheese isn’t your thing. 🙂

Steampunk

A final classroom theme perfect for middle school, or even high school is steampunk! 

I love it so much, my steampunk decor ideas have their own post. Check it out for more ideas. 

I love that steampunk can take so many directions to fit the subject(s) you teach: history, science, literature, even math. 

It’s edgy, it’s unexpected, it’s imaginative, and at the same time, mature enough for any student.

For more classroom decor and bulletin board ideas, follow my Classroom Decor board on Pinterest!

Oh, and one last thing! If you’d like some FREE classroom decor, grab this big bundle of 50 different bulletin board headers that will allow you to sample several different decor themes!