The Perfect Opportunity to Organize and Reset Your Home

As the hustle and bustle of summer winds down and the excitement of the new school year begins, September offers the perfect opportunity to hit the reset button in your home. The back-to-school season isn’t just about getting your kids ready for their school year—it’s also an excellent time for you to organize, declutter, and reclaim your space.

The transition from summer break to school time often brings a fresh sense of routine, making it the ideal time to reorganize your home and create systems to help you manage the busy school year ahead. Here’s how you can seize this opportunity to declutter and get organized, making your home more peaceful and functional for everyone.

Declutter Before You Start Organizing

The first step in organizing your home is to declutter. As the kids get ready for school, you’ll likely come across items that no longer serve a purpose—outgrown clothes, old school supplies, summer gear, or even toys that are no longer being used. Here’s how to approach the decluttering process:

Tackle the Kids' Rooms: September is a great time to help your children declutter their rooms. Encourage them to donate toys, books, and clothes they no longer use. This process clears up space and teaches your kids the importance of maintaining a tidy environment and being mindful of their belongings.
Sort Through Seasonal Items: With the change in seasons, it’s a good time to go through your summer items (beach towels, camping gear, swimsuits) and store or donate what you no longer need. Make space for the cooler months by bringing out fall and winter gear, jackets, and accessories.
Declutter the Common Areas: Look at your living room, kitchen, and other shared spaces where clutter accumulates. Gather items that don’t belong in these spaces and either relocate or donate them. Start with a few areas that tend to get disorganized, such as entryways and countertops.

Reclaim Your Entryway and Mudroom

The entryway is often the first place that gets cluttered, especially with kids coming in and out of the house. Shoes, bags, coats, and school gear can quickly pile up and create chaos. This is the perfect time to reorganize and create systems for a smoother transition into the school year.

Create a Command Center: Set up a family command center near the entryway. This can be a wall organizer with hooks for backpacks, a bulletin board or calendar for important dates, and a shelf for shoes or other essentials. Having a designated spot for everything is helpful to prevent the entryway from becoming a dumping ground.
Invest in Storage Solutions: If space allows, add bins, baskets, or cubbies to your mudroom or entryway. Assign a specific place for shoes, jackets, and school bags so that everyone in the family knows where to store their belongings when they come home.
Set Up a Homework Station: Create a designated homework space without distractions and clutter. This could be a quiet corner of the kitchen, a desk in the kids’ room, or even a small section of the living room. Organize the area with school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders so everything your child needs is easy to access.

Reorganize the Kitchen for Busy Mornings and Meals

Back-to-school means hectic mornings, and the kitchen often becomes ground zero for breakfast, lunch prep, and after-school snacks. Getting organized in the kitchen can help streamline your routines and make mornings less stressful.

Clear Off Counters: Clear off any non-essential items from your kitchen counters so that you have more space for meal prep. A clutter-free kitchen will help you focus on getting your kids ready for school without distractions. Consider keeping only the essentials on the counter, such as a coffee maker, fruit bowl, or toaster.
Organize Meal Prep Areas: Designate specific spots for your kids' lunchboxes, snack bags, and any meal prep containers you use. You could have a designated drawer for lunchbox supplies (napkins, utensils, etc.) and another area for pre-packaged snacks. This will save you time when you’re preparing lunches in the morning.
Create a School Snack Station: Stock up on after-school snacks and keep them in a designated, easy-to-reach spot in your pantry or fridge. Consider storing items in clear bins or baskets labeled “after-school snacks” so your kids can easily grab something nutritious (or treat themselves to something special) without making a mess.
Maximize Your Pantry: As the kids return to school, you’ll be packing more lunches and snacks. Organize your pantry to make it easier to find school lunch items. Use clear containers for grains, pastas, and snacks, and label shelves for easy access. A well-organized pantry will help you quickly find ingredients when running low on time.

Set Up Functional Storage for School Supplies and Backpacks

As the kids start school, their backpacks, folders, and school supplies will likely need a designated place to keep everything organized. Take advantage of the back-to-school season to create functional systems for school-related items.

Designate a School Supplies Station: Set up a station for all of your kids’ school supplies—pens, markers, folders, binders, and other essentials. Store supplies in labeled bins or drawer organizers, and keep them in a central location where they can easily be accessed for homework or projects.
Create a Backpack System: Invest in hooks or cubbies for backpacks, coats, and hats. You can dedicate one hook per child, or use labeled baskets or bins if you’re short on space. This simple system will help keep the entryway or mudroom clutter-free, and ensure that backpacks and school materials are always in the right place.

Get Your Bedrooms Organized

With the return to school, your kids will need a well-organized space to rest, recharge, and focus. Taking the time to declutter and reset their rooms will help foster a peaceful and productive environment.

Declutter Toys and Old Clothes: Go through toys, books, and clothes that no longer fit or are no longer being used. Donate or store them to free up space for schoolbooks, study materials, and new seasonal items.
Create a Homework Station in Each Room: If your child does homework in their room, create a dedicated desk space with necessary supplies (pencils, paper, folders). Keep their space organized by using drawer organizers and bins for easy access to materials.
Set Up a Morning Routine Area: Encourage your kids to set up their outfits the night before, and store their clothes in a way that makes getting ready easier. Consider using bins, drawers, or open shelves to store their school clothes, shoes, and accessories in an organized manner.

Reclaim Your Time and Your Space

The back-to-school season offers the perfect opportunity to reset your home and your routines. Decluttering and organizing your spaces will help you manage your time better, reduce stress, and create a sense of calm as everyone adjusts to the school year.

Take it one step at a time, starting with small, manageable areas like the entryway or kitchen, and gradually tackle the rest of the house. With a bit of time and effort, you’ll be able to enjoy a more organized home and feel ready to take on the school year with confidence.

Embrace the fresh start of September and make this your season for decluttering and organizing. After all, a well-organized home leads to a happier, more stress-free routine for everyone in the family.

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