Get Your Home Ready for Back-to-School: 6 Easy Organization Steps

Simple and Effective Tips to Declutter, Organize, and Prepare Your Home for a Smooth Back-to-School Season

Prepare your home for a stress-free back-to-school season with 6 easy steps from The Katz Group, Woodland Hills real estate experts. Learn how to declutter closets, set up homework and lunch prep zones, organize school supplies, and streamline daily routines. These practical tips make mornings easier, reduce last-minute chaos, and create a more functional living space for the whole family. From efficient storage solutions to family-friendly organization strategies, our guide helps you get your home ready for students of all ages. Follow these steps to create a calm, organized, and welcoming environment for back-to-school success.

Declutter Closets and Drawers

Start by going through clothes, shoes, and accessories to see what still fits and what’s been outgrown. Donate anything in good condition that no longer serves your child. Organize what’s left by category—shirts, pants, uniforms, etc.—so it’s easy to find and grab. If you’re short on drawer space, consider using bins or shelf dividers to maximize storage. This makes morning outfit decisions quicker and reduces mess and frustration during the week.

Create a Lunch Prep Zone

Pick a specific area in your kitchen or pantry to streamline lunch-making tasks. Use bins to separate snacks, sandwich items, and reusable containers so everything is easy to find. Store lunchboxes and water bottles together, and keep frequently used items at kid-friendly heights. Prep certain foods like cut fruit, cheese, or veggie sticks ahead of time to save busy mornings. This system allows older kids to start packing their own lunches and helps mornings run much more smoothly.

Set Up a Homework Station

Give kids a consistent space to do homework, whether it’s a desk in their room, a corner of the dining table, or a nook in the kitchen. Stock it with essentials like pencils, paper, scissors, glue, and a quiet environment to focus. Keep a small organizer or caddy nearby so supplies are easy to grab and put away. For younger kids, keep the area near an adult so they can ask for help when needed. A dedicated workspace encourages better concentration and helps establish a productive after-school routine.

Start a Family Calendar

A shared calendar is a lifesaver during the school year. Use a wall-mounted calendar, dry-erase board, or shared digital app like Google Calendar so everyone knows what’s happening and when. Assign each family member a color to easily track school events, sports practices, playdates, and appointments. Update it weekly as a family to keep everyone on the same page. It helps avoid scheduling conflicts and teaches kids valuable time-management skills.

Create a Landing Zone

Choose a dedicated space near the front or garage door where everything school-related can live. Add wall hooks for backpacks and jackets, and use labeled bins or baskets for shoes, lunchboxes, and sports gear. This setup helps eliminate the last-minute “Where’s my ___?” scramble in the morning. Consider adding a small bench or seat to make it easy for kids to put on and take off shoes. Keeping this area tidy and consistent gives everyone a smoother start and end to the day.

Organize School Supplies

Gather all school supplies—both new and leftover—and sort them into categories. Store them in clearly labeled bins, drawers, or containers in a central location. Keep everyday items easily accessible and extras tucked away for later use. This not only saves money by avoiding unnecessary repurchases but also makes last-minute projects less stressful. Having everything in one place encourages kids to be more responsible for their own supplies.