As summer winds down and the school year approaches, families often find themselves in need of a home reset to ensure a smooth transition back to school. Thoughtful interior design and home organization can make all the difference in minimizing stress and boosting efficiency for busy families on the go! Here are some essential projects to prepare your home for the upcoming school year.

Entryway or Mudroom Landing Spot

The entryway or mudroom is the first line of defense against school-day chaos. Creating a dedicated landing spot for backpacks, coats, and shoes can keep your home organized and make mornings run smoothly. Hooks, cubbies, and benches can make all the difference for a tidy entryway. Mount sturdy hooks at a child-friendly height for backpacks and coats. Add shelves or cubbies above and below the hooks for shoes, hats, and gloves. A bench provides a place for kids to sit while putting on shoes. Opt for a bench with storage underneath for added functionality. Use labels or color-coding to designate spots for each family member’s belongings, ensuring everything has a place and is easy to find. Some companies even make pre-made name labels for clothing and easily lost items. Labeling your items ahead of time is a good idea so you're not scrambling to label things on the first day of school!

Homework Area

Help your kids stay focused and develop good study habits by setting up a designated homework area. Choose a quiet, well-lit spot in your home, such as a cozy corner in the living room, a kitchen nook, or a small desk in their bedroom. Make sure to provide a comfortable chair and a desk that is the right height for your child to maintain good posture and concentration. Keep essential supplies like pencils, paper, and calculators easily accessible. Use drawer organizers or desktop caddies to keep things tidy and prevent clutter. By creating an organized space for schoolwork, you can reduce the nightly search for missing supplies!

School Supply Storage Area

Having a well-organized storage area for school supplies is key to staying on top of things throughout the school year. Opt for clear bins or boxes to keep markers, crayons, and notebooks neatly stored. This way, you can easily spot what you have and what you need to restock. Don't forget to label each container clearly to maintain order. Find a central spot in your home, like a closet or a shelf in the kitchen or living room, to set up your supply storage area. Ikea offers practical solutions like the Trofast storage drawers and Raskog cart, which are perfect for organizing school supplies. The Trofast can be purchased with removable trays that can be taken to your child's homework area and then slid back into the unit when they're done. The Raskog can be purchased with handy removable cups that hang off the cart to keep items like pencils, markers, and erasers in place.

Organized Kitchen for Meal Planning

Meal planning can be a lifesaver during busy school weeks. An organized kitchen helps streamline the process of making lunches and preparing dinners. Arrange your pantry by category (snacks, breakfast items, canned goods), and use clear bins or baskets to keep everything in place. Dedicate a section of your kitchen counter or a shelf in the fridge for lunch preparation. Keep lunchboxes, reusable containers, and snacks in this area for easy access.
You can use a chalkboard or whiteboard to plan weekly meals and grocery lists. This not only helps with organizing, but also involves the whole family in meal planning. Our family loves using the AnyList app to create reusable grocery lists and meal planning recipes that convert into grocery lists. These lists can be shared with your partner, and you both can update them from your smartphone without even needing to have a conversation, which can truly be a game changer!

Closet Organization with Wardrobe Capsules

Simplify your child’s morning routine by organizing their closet with wardrobe capsules. A capsule wardrobe consists of versatile, mix-and-match pieces, making outfit selection quick and easy. Choose a limited number of tops, bottoms, and outerwear that can be combined in various ways. Focus on neutral colors and timeless styles. Rotating clothing seasonally can help keep the closet uncluttered. Store out-of-season items in bins or vacuum-sealed bags. Use low-hanging rods and child-friendly hangers to make clothing accessible to kids. Add bins or drawers for socks, underwear, and accessories.

Bathroom Organization for Easier Bathtime

An organized bathroom can make the morning and evening routines smoother and more enjoyable for kids. Use caddies or baskets to organize bath toys, shampoo, and soap. Opt for suction-cups or over-the-showerhead organizers to save space.  We use an attractive toilet-top storage bin to store our kids bath toys that is made of powder-coated metal that does not get damaged by water. Install hooks at a child-friendly height for towels and washcloths. Personalized hooks can help kids keep track of their belongings. Use drawer dividers or small bins to organize toiletries, hair accessories, and dental care items.

Creating a Reading Nook

Encouraging a love of reading can be as simple as creating a cozy reading nook. Choose a comfy chair, bean bag, or floor cushion. Add soft blankets and pillows for extra coziness. Keep the book selection fresh and exciting by rotating them regularly. In our household, we enjoy borrowing books from the library and have a special shelf just for library books to make returning them a breeze. Make sure the reading nook is well-lit with a floor lamp or reading light to create a warm and inviting ambiance. Consider adding dimmers to your lighting fixtures for adjustable lighting levels throughout the day.