Preparing for Back-to-School: Organizing Your Home for the New School Year

These final days of summer offer a chance to get organized. Rather than succumb to the chaos of another school year, our real estate agents are here to share their best tips for organizing your home ahead of back-to-school season. 

• Start with decluttering.
  Chances are, your house has accumulated quite a bit of clutter throughout the summer months. Step one before the kids go back to school is to get the house in order, which means eliminating clutter wherever possible. Be sure to take special care to declutter the closets; eliminate old outfits that are worn-out or no longer fit to make room for new back-to-school clothes. Donate what you don't want, or set up an end-of-summer yard sale. 
  
  
• Organize your entryway.
  One of the most important places to create space and keep organized is your home's entryway. This is where shoes, jackets, and backpacks will inevitably be tossed, so it's wise to create a system that allows these items to stay organized. Plenty of shoe racks, hooks, bins, and shelving will ensure that there's a place (other than the floor) for every boot, backpack, and coat.
  
  
• Stock up on school supplies.
  You can never have too many notebooks, pencils, flash cards, and binders. The same goes for glue sticks, calculators, sticky notes, and markers. Whatever your kids may need for school this year, make sure you're well stocked so you don't have to go looking for supplies at the last minute, and keep supplies organized so you always know what you have.
  
  
• Set up a homework station.
  A clean and organized study area will make it easier for kids to stay focused and get their schoolwork done each day. It will also help keep your home tidier by consolidating school supplies all in one area. A great homework and study station is good for everyone!
  
  
• Prepare the house for the morning routine.
  Depending on how many kids you have and how old they are, getting everyone out of bed, dressed, fed, and out the door can become increasingly chaotic. Two key areas to prep and organize are the bathroom and the kitchen. Make sure both are well-stocked and organized. And if you have a big family with lots of competition for bathroom time and kitchen resources, consider creating a morning itinerary to ensure that everyone gets what they need.
  
  
• Create a family calendar.
  Between soccer games, choir practices, parent-teacher conferences, and other school-related events, it's easy to forget where everybody is supposed to be on any given day. Create a master calendar system that will allow the whole family to stay on the ball. There are many ways to do this, from clipboards and binders to whiteboards and bulletin boards with an annual calendar. Pick a system that works for your family (and don't worry too much about how it looks). 
  
  
• Enjoy the end of summer!
  Last but not least, don't forget that summer isn't over yet! Don't get so caught up in school prep that you forget to squeeze every last drop out of summer's final, glorious days. 

If you're a homeowner looking for more essential tips as fall approaches, we're here to help. And if you're still on the hunt for your dream home in Chicagoland, contact us today to speak with our dedicated team of real estate agents.