A little organization before the school year begins can eliminate stressful mornings, reduce clutter, and help your family stay on schedule all year long. By taking a fresh look at your kids’ closets, your mudroom, and even the garage, you’ll create systems that make everyday life easier for everyone.
Start With the Closets
The easiest place to begin is the bedroom closet. Before new school clothes arrive, have your children try on what they already own. Donate clothing that’s been outgrown, worn out, or hasn’t been worn in the past year. Thinking about better organization in their closets. Organize what’s left into categories such as school clothes, sportswear, casual clothing, and special occasions.
Parents should also consider:
- Pull out drawers organized with their school clothes to help speed them along in getting ready in the morning.
- Cabinets can eliminate the clutter feel.
- Have a place for their backpack, shoes and equipment.
The less time kids spend looking for what they need each morning, the smoother the day begins.
Create a Functional Mudroom
The mudroom quickly becomes the command center during the school year. Without a system, backpacks, jackets, shoes, and permission slips can pile up overnight.
A well-organized mudroom should include:
- Individual hooks for each family member.
- A shoe rack or cubbies to keep footwear off the floor.
- Storage baskets for hats, gloves, and seasonal accessories.
- A charging station for tablets or school electronics.
- A family calendar or whiteboard for schedules, practices, and appointments.
Does all of this seem overwhelming? Let our team step in and help you bring comfort to chaos.
Many families also find it helpful to establish a “launch pad” where backpacks are packed, homework is checked, water bottles are filled, and lunches are placed the night before.
Organize the Garage for Sports Season
Fall sports mean helmets, bats, soccer balls, cleats, hockey bags, and plenty of equipment that can quickly take over the garage. Rather than tossing everything into one corner, create dedicated storage zones.
Helpful ideas include:
- Labeling bins by sport.
- Installing wall hooks for bikes, scooters, and folding chairs.
- Using shelving to keep balls and equipment off the floor.
- Hanging frequently used gear where kids can reach it themselves.
- Posting an equipment checklist so nothing gets forgotten before practice.
A few minutes of organization can save countless hours searching for missing gear on busy weekday evenings.
Set Up Systems That Kids Can Maintain
The best organizational systems are the ones your children can use without constant reminders.
Keep storage simple, label shelves and bins, and make it easy for everyone to put things back where they belong. Younger children especially benefit from picture labels or color-coded storage.
Teaching kids to spend just five minutes each evening putting things away builds habits that last well beyond the school year.
Back-to-school organization doesn’t have to happen at all at once. Focus on one area at a time, create practical solutions, and involve your kids in the design process. A little preparation before the first school bell rings can make the entire school year feel more organized, less stressful, and far more manageable. At The Designery Rochester, we’re here to help you make your organizational goals possible, reach out for help in making your organized dream space a reality!
The Designery Rochester | 882 E. Ridge Rd. | 585-505-8899
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