When the back-to-school season hits, the household rhythm changes overnight. Early mornings replace late starts and even later nights, homework piles in alongside sports gear, and everyone's schedule shifts into high gear. For homeowners, this is the perfect time to reorganize the house to support a smoother, stress-free routine. By taking a whole-house approach, you can create systems that keep your home — and your family — on track all school year long.
Follow these tips for getting your whole home ready for back-to-school:
1. Create a Command Center
Start by dedicating a central spot in your home to manage the family's schedule and important papers. This could be a wall in the kitchen, a section of the mudroom, or a desk nook. Equip it with a large calendar, bulletin board, storage baskets, and labeled folders for permission slips, school forms, and incoming mail. Keep pens, markers, and sticky notes handy so updates and reminders can be added on the fly.
2. Streamline Morning Routines
To reduce the morning scramble, organize closets and dressers so outfits are easy to find. Consider setting up a weekly clothing plan that includes labeled bins or hanging organizers with outfits for each day. In the kitchen, create a "breakfast station" with cereals, snacks, and utensils within easy reach so kids can help themselves. Packing lunches? Dedicate a fridge shelf and a pantry bin to lunch supplies, making it easy to grab and go.
3. Maximize Your Entryway or Mudroom
Back-to-school means backpacks, sports gear, and shoes all fighting for space. You can keep it all organized by assigning each family member their own hook or cubby, with a designated spot for backpacks, jackets, and footwear. Use baskets for hats, gloves, and other seasonal accessories. Consider adding a bench to make shoe changes quicker and keep mud off your floors.
4. Organize Study Spaces
Homework is easier when kids have a dedicated, distraction-free spot to work. This doesn't have to be a full home office; all you need is a table or desk stocked with pencils, paper, chargers, and other supplies. Use storage containers or a rolling cart to keep everything together so it can be moved if needed. For younger children, a space near the kitchen or living room can help you keep an eye on progress while doing house chores or cooking dinner.
5. Tame Paper Clutter
From report cards to newsletters and art projects, the school year brings in a great deal of clutter that you will want to keep organized before it piles up. Keep an "inbox" near your command center for new papers, a filing system for long-term storage, and a designated display area for projects. At the end of each term, sort through and decide what to keep.
6. Keep Schedules Visible
Hang a large family calendar where everyone can see it, and use color coding for each person's activities so conflicts are easy to spot. You may also want to consider adding a digital calendar that syncs with phones to keep everyone on the same page, even when they're on the go.
The Pay-Off of Whole House Organizing
A well-organized home reduces stress and helps the school year run more smoothly. By creating systems in every part of the house — from the kitchen to the entryway — you'll save time, cut down on chaos, and set your family up for success from day one.
