Tired of the Back-to-School Mess? Here’s How to Stay Organized All Year
If you’re anything like me, then you know how fast summer flies by. One minute the kids are partying because it’s the last day of school, and the next, you’re walking into the multi-colored maze of back-to-school supplies at Target, wondering, what month is it? Wasn’t it just May?
Back-to-school season sneaks up fast—and if you’re reading this after school has already started, you’re not behind. In fact, now is the perfect time to get organized with fresh eyes and adjust anything that isn’t working.
Think of this as your mid-transition reset: a guide to getting your space, systems, and sanity in order so the rest of the school year runs more smoothly.
Declutter the Hot Spots to Create Breathing Room
Entryway or Drop Zone
This area sets the tone for your family’s daily rhythm. If it feels chaotic, it’s time to streamline.
Declutter:
– Outgrown shoes and jackets
– Broken umbrellas, tangled lanyards, empty water bottles
– Random mail or packaging that has piled up
Reset: Add hooks, labeled baskets, or a shoe tray. Create a “grab-and-go” station for backpacks, lunchboxes, and sports gear.
Kids’ Closets and Dressers
Mornings go smoother when kids can actually find clothes that fit and feel good.
Declutter:
– Outgrown or stained clothing
– Socks without matches
– Summer-only items that aren’t in rotation
Pro Tip: Do a 15-minute closet check every month to stay ahead of seasonal changes and growth spurts.
Homework & Creative Zone
Even if school supply shopping is behind you, the chaos of scattered notebooks and dried-up markers doesn’t have to be your reality. If your kids don’t have traditional homework, they still need a focused area for reading, crafts, and projects.
Declutter:
– Dried-out pens, markers, glue sticks
– Broken crayons, duplicate supplies
– Last year’s half-used notebooks (toss or repurpose)
– Old assignments and scribbled worksheets
– Broken supplies and toys that distract
Organize:
– Store extras in labeled bins or drawers.
– Keep only what your kids use regularly within arm’s reach.
Set Up:
– Choose a visible, low-distraction area like the kitchen table or a corner of the living room.
– Stock with pencils, paper, scissors, and any tools they use weekly.
For those still shopping… Make a master list that combines all your kids’ supply needs. That way you know you need 5 pairs of scissors or 10 glue sticks ahead of time, instead of doing mental math in the Target aisle.
Kitchen: Lunch and Snack Setup
Mornings get chaotic fast. A little lunch/snack prep system saves you time every single day.
Declutter:
– Expired pantry items
– Containers with missing lids
– Water bottles that leak or smell
Prep Station:
– Create a dedicated drawer or bin for lunch prep supplies.
– Store pre-packed snacks where kids can reach them for after-school cravings.
Paper Clutter & Command Center
School = papers. Permission slips, calendars, artwork, reminders—it adds up fast.
Declutter:
– Anything from last year that’s still lingering
– Papers that don’t need to be kept (be ruthless!)
Systemize:
– Set up a folder or tray for incoming papers
– Use a wall calendar or digital system to track key dates
– Add an “outbox” for items that need to be signed or returned
Create Sustainable Routines
Decluttering clears the space. Routines keep it that way.
Here are some easy-to-maintain habits that can anchor your school year:
– Evening Reset: Pack lunches, lay out clothes, and prep backpacks the night before.
– Sunday Setup: Use Sundays to reset: check the school calendar, meal plan, refill supplies.
– Drop Zone Check-In: Spend 5 minutes every evening resetting the entryway.
– Homework Hour: Set a consistent time each day when kids know it’s time to focus.
– Weekly Declutter: Tackle one small area a week—a drawer, bin, or shelf.
Support Emotional & Mental Load
Staying organized isn’t just about stuff—it’s about how you feel during the school year.
Create emotional anchors:
– Have a few go-to affirmations or mantras for your family (e.g., “We do our best, not perfection.”)
– Make space for connection after school—snacks and chats go a long way.
– Talk about feelings around transitions, friendships, and routines.
Support yourself:
– Use brain dumps or to-do lists to unload the mental chaos.
– Set screen time boundaries that benefit everyone.
– Schedule in your time to recharge—even 10 minutes matters.
Focus on Progress, Not Perfection
Maybe your pantry isn’t Pinterest-worthy.
Maybe your kids’ backpacks explode with mystery crumbs.
Maybe you’re reading this three weeks into school and feel like you’re still catching up.
That doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. It just means you’re living real life.
Take it one drawer, one paper pile, one morning routine tweak at a time.
Even the smallest systems—like putting shoes in the same place or having a bin for returned library books—can reduce stress and decision fatigue over time.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Late. You’re Right on Time.
Back-to-school doesn’t need to mean chaos.
Whether you’re decluttering a whole room or just tossing three broken pencils—you’re making progress.
Now is the perfect time to pause, reset, and create simple systems that support your family all year long.
Next week, I’ll be sharing a deep-dive post on how to organize your kids’ clothes for the school year – including systems that make laundry easier, outfit planning stress-free, and dressers less chaotic.
Until then, breathe deep. Clear one corner. And remember, you’ve got this!
And don’t forget to grab The Ultimate Decluttering Playbook – it’s totally free and full of bite-sized tasks you can start today!
💬 I’d love to hear from you!
- What part of the back-to-school season feels the most overwhelming for you right now?
- Do you have a go-to spot in your home that tends to collect all the school clutter?
- If you could wave a magic wand and have one area of your home totally organized, what would it be?
Let me know your responses to one or all of these questions in the comments below.
