3 Organizing Tips to Beat the Back to School Blues
As the back-to-school season approaches, the prospect of transitioning from the laid-back days of summer to a structured routine can be daunting. However, with just a few small changes, you can easily set the foundation for a smooth and successful school year! By investing in these 3 spaces in your home, you’ll not only kick off the new year in style but with a collected mind and an organized living space.
1. focus on creating an easy morning routine
Ahhh…school mornings. From the time that the alarm clock goes off to when everyone finally gets out the door can be, well, a little chaotic. All that hustling to make it out the door on time can make it feel like you’ve already lived an entire day even before it’s even begun…cue that espresso machine! While there are plenty of ways to streamline your mornings and reclaim precious time, one of the big-time eaters are the dreaded bathroom routines - especially if shared bathrooms are involved. Fortunately there are a few organization hacks that can transform your space (and therefore your morning) into an organized and stress-free zone. Mornings really set the tone for the rest of the day so ensuring you start it off on the right foot is going to create a positive vibe for all.
FAVORITE BATHROOM ORGANIZATION ESSENTIALS:
TIPS:
Keep the counters clear. There’s a saying that a “messy space creates a messy mind” so the more you can keep items tucked away, the better! If you need to have items out, use stylish containers for a clean and intential look.
Utilize clear containers to easily locate what you’re looking for.
Maximize vertical space by installing hooks for towels and robes.
Invest in a label machine! Labeling bins and containers can further streamline organization, ensuring everything & everyone has a designated place for their items.
2. create a designated drop zone
We all know the scene…everyone gets home and somehow in seconds your entryway becomes an explosion of bags, backpacks, lunch boxes, mail, keys etc. Then when it’s time to leave there’s a frantic search for misplaced items and the tone for the morning is far from relaxing. This is where creating designated drop zones in the entryway of your home, or whatever room works best, will mitigate the chaos that often accompanies the comings and goings of daily life, especially during the school year! It also works as a buffer to the rest of your home and hopefully prevents personal items from being strewn across the rest of the house.
To get the kiddos to participate in the tidiness, we recommend creating personalized & individual spaces for their things. Whether this be a specific basket, drawer, shelf or hook, they’ll love having their own special zone. They’ll likely have a cubby or locker at school so this should help create a seamless transition from school organization to home organization.
FAVORITE DROPZONE ESSENTIALS:
TIPS:
Start with a clean slate. Figure out if anything in that drop zone could live somewhere else in your home. Ask yourself, “Is this serving me here?”
Don’t have the space for a large built in with cubbies? No problem. Even the smallest spaces can be used to organize…there’s nothing a little pre-fabricated cubby, a few shelves and hooks can’t fix.
To help kids stay organized, let them know if they leave things lying around the house they can find it in their dropzone.
During times like spring or winter breaks, have everyone go through their spaces to do a quick clean and reorganization.
3. find a space to focus
While kids are at school, their day is filled with structure and organization so creating a similar setup at home is important. A designated workspace helps keep schoolwork contained and fosters routine and focus. This is also a great way for kids to experiment with creativity and personalization! Deck the space out in their favorite color or incorporate décor that represents their hobbies and interests, (soccer ball pencil holder, anyone?). By letting them help design the space and display their favorite items, they’ll feel a sense of ownership and hopefully enjoy spending time in their special, designated area. We’ve collaborated with a lot of families over the years to design effective workspaces for kids (and adults) and here’s what’s worked well for us:
FAVORITE WORKSPACE ESSENTIALS:
TIPS:
Select a quiet and well-lit area that minimizes distractions. This could be a designated homework room or just a spot in their room.
These days, technology integration is essential; make sure your setup is equipped with easily accessibly power sources.
Storage is key! Whether it’s a custom built desk or a stack of drawers, ensure there’s enough space to house all the materials.
Incorporating plants or a vision board can infuse the space with positivity.
Hopefully now you feel armed with plenty of tips, inspiration and ideas to easily create organized spaces and in turn, a happy (and only mildly stressful) start to the school year!
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If you’re looking for specific advice about your space, contact us to schedule an in-person or virtual consultation!
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