When your house feels like a wreck, it can be hard to know where to begin organizing. Our home gets especially chaotic in the summer, and now that the kids are back in school I finally have time to tackle it. Every room needs some attention, so I decided to focus on the areas that will make the biggest difference for a smooth school year.
Organize Your Home + Figuring Out Where To Start
I can’t do it all. I’m one mom with four kids who seem to specialize in undoing everything I do, and a husband who works long days. If you’re like me, pick three areas that will be most helpful if you clean them up first. I chose the three spots that will most directly affect my kids having a successful school year:
- mudroom
- pantry
- kitchen desk / homework station
1. Organize Your Mudroom / Coat Closet for Back to School
Starting with the mudroom, the entry off our garage was the smartest first choice. I wanted the kids to help, since it’s mostly their stuff that creates the mess. This was a “middle” stage rather than a true before photo — their cubbies and closet still had a lot tucked away.
Our mudroom has two closets for overflow storage. When we built the house I thought two closets might be overkill — now I’m glad we added them.
Take Inventory of Shoes / Backpacks, etc.
We pulled out backpacks and lunch boxes and checked what was still in good shape. I also found the hamper I normally keep in the mudroom during the school year — that’s where sweaters and socks are supposed to go when kids take them off. Often the clothes end up next to the hamper instead of in it, but having a designated place helps.
Organize Off-Season Items
Flip flops, pool towels and goggles that won’t be used at school were packed away into a closet basket until warmer weather is over. Corral off-season items so they’re not competing for space with school gear.
Baskets for Everything
I keep small baskets in the top cubby for odds and ends — sunglasses, goggles, weekend lunch boxes, extra school supplies and library books. Right now they’re overflowing, but having baskets keeps similar items together and makes the space feel tidy. Because we have a puppy who likes shoes, we keep footwear in a large basket that can be carried into the closet when needed.
I also added a simple pendant light that gives the mudroom a little industrial flair and makes the space feel intentional and welcoming.
Mudroom Sources:
Tall leaning mirror / small baskets / black hooks / black pendant light / small rug (vintage)
2. Organizing Your Home Pantry for Back to School
Does your pantry get trashed by the end of summer? Ours does. With kids home all day they often eat in the pantry or leave things out, and by August it can be chaotic. Because we pack so many lunches each week, having an organized pantry is essential for finding what we need quickly.
Take It All Out
Pull everything out so you can see what belongs and what needs to be relocated. We moved items that didn’t belong, and reclaimed space by removing or repositioning things like pet supplies.
Clean / Organize / Buy What You Need
Give the pantry a good scrub and add a few helpful pieces: turntables for large bottles, can racks for canned goods, clear containers for staples, and labeled jars so everything has a visible home. I also added a bulletin board for flyers and a chalkboard for notes, which helps keep family info centralized. A label maker can make everything look uniform and makes it easy for the kids to find what they need.
I use stackable containers and clear canisters for staples so we can actually see what’s inside without digging around.
Having the kids’ chores listed in the pantry is a helpful reminder and keeps routines visible.
Pantry Sources:
Dog food canister (similar) / clear food canisters / bread box / turntable for bottles / can shelving / woven storage baskets / glass jars / cake bin / white metal baskets / bulletin board / chalkboard / dustpan set / chair / apron
3. Homework Station / Our Kitchen Desk
With homework soon to be a nightly task, establishing a dedicated homework station is a priority. We stopped doing homework at the kitchen table because food, sticky fingers, and clutter quickly take over. A small, consistent study zone keeps schoolwork contained and predictable.
Dedicate a Zone
Our homework station is a tiny kitchen desk that we share. It’s in a communal area so kids don’t feel isolated and I’m nearby to help with questions. Middle schoolers who do most of their work on a computer can still benefit from a shared, organized space.
Make Paperwork a Priority
Paper is the biggest source of clutter, so create a clear “home” for each child’s paperwork. We use labeled folders for each child and store them in a magazine file holder. For family paperwork and office supplies, labeled baskets keep things accessible but out of little hands. Simple, easy-to-use storage beats pretty-but-impractical containers when you need frequent access.
Homework Station Sources:
Arm chair / woven baskets / magazine file holders / boxes with lids / paper tray / plant basket / labels / label maker
Grab the tissue box for the happy and sad tears — happy back to school everyone!
When YOU are organizing your home, where should YOU start?
If your whole house feels overwhelming, pick the three areas that will be most beneficial to organize right now. Different seasons call for different priorities — in January I usually tackle closets, for example. If a room is too big to start with, try organizing three closets or three junk drawers that bother you most. Small wins build momentum.
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I hope this helps you figure out where to start when organizing your home. Just reading this is a great first step toward getting your house back in order.